The biggest problem that I’ve seen with some of the Indy books I’ve read lately has been with tense, and nothing takes me out of the story quicker than a sudden switch from past tense to present, or vise-versa.  No one should write a novel in the present tense, unless you’re James Joyce… no, not even then.

Stories should be told in the past tense.  The easiest way to remember how to stay in the proper tense?  Imagine the story you are telling is real and that it already happened.  Tell it like you would tell a friend how your last year was.  That way, you’ll never fall into the trap of using words like today, now, etc.  Also, watch out for your verb use.  If accidentally use a present tense verb, it can mess up the rest of your sentence, and you are suddenly off track.

Why not use present tense?  For the very reason stated above.  The reader wants to believe in your world and your story.  If you’ve written what happened in the past, it’s that much easier to suspend disbelief.  Who is going to believe that events are somehow happening as you read the story.

I’m sure that most writers will read what I’m saying and think, “well, duh.”  Well, good for you.  Keep up the good work.  Those who have trouble with tense?  Go back through your manuscript and make sure it reads like a something that has actually already happened.  Good luck.