(present tense vs past tense fiction)
Why I Struggle to Read Books Written in the Present Tense
Every so often, I open a book and know within a few pages (often a few sentences!) that something is wrong. Nothing dramatic has happened yet. The plot might even be interesting, and the characters might be solid. But the words feel off and jarring, like they are fighting me instead of carrying me forward.
It is because the book is written in the present tense.
When the Words Feel Wrong
When I read fiction, I expect the language to disappear. I do not want to notice the sentences. I want to notice the story. Present tense makes that impossible for me.
“He says” instead of “he said.”
“She walks” instead of “she walked.”
My brain flags it every time. Not because it is technically incorrect, but because it feels wrong for a story. Each ‘wrong’ verb pulls me out of the moment instead of drawing me in. Instead of sinking into the narrative, I am constantly aware that I am reading something written.
Stories Are Meant to Be Remembered, Not Happening Live
For most of history, stories have been told in the past tense. This was not an accident, but a natural result of how humans understand meaning. We process events after they happen, not while they are still unfolding. Storytelling grew out of memory and reflection, not live reporting. Past tense creates distance, and that distance matters. It gives the reader room to breathe, to reflect, and to feel the weight of what is happening without being trapped inside it moment by moment. Present tense removes that space.
The Constant Interruption
What present tense creates for me is constant cognitive interruption. My brain keeps having to adjust. This already happened, but it is being told as if it is happening now. The language is polished and intentional, yet it pretends to be immediate. That contradiction never fades. Instead of reading smoothly, I am correcting verbs in my head and mentally rewriting sentences just to make them feel stable. That effort adds up quickly, and by the time something important happens in the story, I am already tired.
Why I Never Get Used to It
Some people say you adjust to present tense after a few chapters. I never do. The issue is not unfamiliarity, but fluency. I have read thousands of books in my life, and my brain knows what storytelling language looks like. When that structure is broken, my attention never settles. Every page reminds me again. The words never stop feeling wrong. I struggle to get through the book, even if the story itself should be amazing.
Immersion Needs Language to Get Out of the Way
The best stories disappear while you are reading them. You stop noticing sentences and start living in the world. Present tense keeps the mechanics visible. I can always see the scaffolding, and I can always hear the author choosing words in real time. Once that happens, immersion is gone.
This Is Not About Rules or Snobbery
I am not against experimentation. I am not saying present tense is invalid or that no one should use it. I am saying that for me, and for many readers like me, it completely breaks the spell. A story should feel like it has weight, like it has already happened and is now being shared for a reason. When everything is always happening now, nothing ever settles.
Why Past Tense Still Works
Past tense feels complete, stable, and trustworthy.
“He said” feels finished.
“He says” feels unresolved.
That difference matters more than people think. For me, past tense lets the story take over. Present tense keeps reminding me that I am reading words on a page, and once I am aware of the words, the story has already lost me.
What has your experience been with this recent trend of present tense vs past tense fiction?
Does tense affect your immersion, or do you barely notice it?
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