S J Lee
Inkling
ok gurus -
What is YOUR take on stories using the word "now" when the tale is in the past tense?
---> "The demons stood still, not sure where Zardox stood. The invisibiity won't last much longer. As if faded, Zardox drew the magic wand he had enchanted earlier. He pointed it at the demon horde now charging him." --> NOW feels odd.... but THEN charging him is worse? I could say "charging him" but it's not what I mean. "Who started to charge" seems wordy. "Who began to charge him / beginning to charge...?" no, I hate it. "He began to eat" is usually worse than "he ate..."
or ---> "When he had been a boy, he had been sure of God's existence. Now he had doubts..."
Do you think this is fine, OR do you think the word "now" is odd?
EG compare with --> "He drew the knife he had sharpened yesterday" ---> feels ODD. "The day before" sounds better.... so how can we justify "now" in a past tense tale? Yet it somehow feels...ok?
What is YOUR take on stories using the word "now" when the tale is in the past tense?
---> "The demons stood still, not sure where Zardox stood. The invisibiity won't last much longer. As if faded, Zardox drew the magic wand he had enchanted earlier. He pointed it at the demon horde now charging him." --> NOW feels odd.... but THEN charging him is worse? I could say "charging him" but it's not what I mean. "Who started to charge" seems wordy. "Who began to charge him / beginning to charge...?" no, I hate it. "He began to eat" is usually worse than "he ate..."
or ---> "When he had been a boy, he had been sure of God's existence. Now he had doubts..."
Do you think this is fine, OR do you think the word "now" is odd?
EG compare with --> "He drew the knife he had sharpened yesterday" ---> feels ODD. "The day before" sounds better.... so how can we justify "now" in a past tense tale? Yet it somehow feels...ok?
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