Past tense or present tense? Pick one and stick to it

Most stories are written in the past tense: “She ran for the bus.” Some use the present tense for immediacy: “She runs for the bus.” Both are fine. Mixing them by accident is not.

Past tense

It feels natural and gives you flexibility. Most novels you read use it, so readers barely notice it.

Present tense

It feels urgent and tense, as if events are happening right now. It suits thrillers and dramatic moments, but it can feel breathless across a long story.

The accidental switch

“I walked into the hall and everyone turns to look at me.” This is the error markers notice. It usually happens in exciting moments, when you write fast.

When changing tense is correct

You can move into the past perfect for things that happened earlier: “I walked in. Everyone had already sat down.” And dialogue can use any tense, because people speak in the present.

Try it: read your last story aloud and underline every verb. Do they all belong to the same tense?