Question of the Week: Why did you choose to write in present tense?

So way back in May or June I had the bright idea to post a Question of the Week here, based on what people ask me at signings and readings. Then I got a little bit swamped with promoting The Legend of Rhyme novels that have been published, and finishing the writing of those that aren’t.

Basically I have failed at blogging.

But this is me getting back on the proverbial horse. I’ll name him Bloggy.

I was asked a question last month (oh the shame) by a young man at my book launch who was clearly a 40 year old man in the body of a 12-year-old.

After I read a couple of passages from Elora of Stone, this young man by the name of Jordan asked me:

“I notice you wrote the book in present tense. What was your reasoning for that?”

I loved this question because I have not been asked it before.

I write these novels in present tense for a few reasons:

1. My editor challenged me to rewrite Elora of Stone in present tense on the first substantive edit, and I (almost) always do what she suggests.

2. Writing in present tense naturally quickens the pace of a story, and these books move pretty fast.

3. Present tense pulls the reader in.

4. It works.

Thanks for the question, Jordan!

If you have a question for me, feel free to shout at me on Twitter or Facebook, or leave a comment here!