When to use present vs past tense in fiction?

It depends on the tone and style you want to create. Present tense can make the story feel more immediate and immersive, while past tense is often used for a more traditional narrative.

Well, in fiction, present tense can make the story seem more urgent. Imagine a story starting with 'I open the box and there's a strange noise.' It's immediate. Past tense is more common in traditional stories, like 'I opened the box and there was a strange noise.' Present tense is great for creating a sense of intimacy between the reader and the story, as if the reader is experiencing it at the same time as the character. Past tense, though, is good for when you want to tell a story that has a sense of having already been completed, and you can give more background and context as it's being told from a later perspective.

Well, both can work. Present tense can add a sense of urgency, but past tense often gives a more straightforward narrative flow. It really comes down to the style and effect you want to create.

Present tense can come into play in past tense fiction when it's essential to give a sense of timelessness or universality to a particular experience. Sometimes, authors use it to break the traditional narrative flow and add a unique flavor to the story.

The present tense usually creates a more immediate and intense mood. Since everything is happening right now, it can make the reader feel on edge or highly engaged. For example, in a horror visual novel, the present - tense can make the scares feel more real. In contrast, the past tense often gives a mood of nostalgia or a sense of a story that has been lived through, which can be more mellow.

It varies. If the author wants to draw the reader into the action as it happens, present tense might be the way to go. But if a broader perspective or a more classic storytelling approach is desired, past tense is commonly used.

Yes. It could be used to create a sense of timelessness or to draw attention to specific moments. However, it needs to be used sparingly and with a clear purpose to avoid disrupting the overall past tense narrative.

It depends. Both present and past tenses can be used in fiction. Some genres or styles might favor one over the other.

Sure, you can. Many novels successfully combine present and past tense to add variety and depth to the storytelling.

Yes, you have the flexibility to do that. The key is to use the tenses appropriately and consistently within a specific context to make the narrative coherent and engaging for the readers.