When you are writing a fiction book, are you suppossed to always write in the past tense? For example: "Jen let's go to the store," Ryan SAYS as he REACHES for his wallet. Or are you suppossed to write it this way: "Jen let's go to the store," Ryan SAID as he REACHED for his wallet. Does it matter if I choose to write in the past or present tense?

All Answers To Questions

It does not matter which tense you use so long as you are consistent.

It doesn't matter which you choose as long as you stick to it throughout. However, choose the one that is easiest for you.

If you check fiction books in the library or book store, you will realize almost all books are written in past tense, for it's standart. Mostly newspaper articles or summaries, reports etc. are written in present tense. I think it's an agreement that was made somehow. But since writing a fiction book is a form of art, there is no rule saying you cannot write your book in present tense. If you want to give your book a certain edge, like something special and unique about it, then that is justification enough. Even better it would be if you could say, you are using it as some kind of "stylistic device" that has a certain function within your book. But it is really up to you. It might appear strange in some parts when you use only present tense, but then again maybe that's the effect you want. But the strangeness could also have a bad effect on the reader.