To all the amazing fic readers and writers on my f'list; thank you so very much for responding to the questions I asked last week about present-tense writing. I was completely and happily gobsmacked by the thought you all put into your answers.
I shouldn't have been surprised, mind you, because you've all proven repeatedly, via your fic writing, your comments elsewhere, and your general awesomeness (awesome fandom is AWESOME), that I should have expected nothing but reflective and articulate consideration of the issue. Bad me, no cookie.
I was so swamped with my Officially Crazed Work Week that I never got the chance to do what I normally do quite obsessively; respond to everyone's comments. I may try to do that, but I thought that if I couldn't answer you severally I could at least post once to thank and acknowledge you all.
Everything I read in the comments impressed me - not least the fact that the occasional spark in the conversation eventually turned to light and not flame. And again, I should not be surprised that the people in my fandoms retained admirable civility in the discussion.
I agreed with many of you, including
But I also came to understand better the reasons that many of you use present tense - for its sense of immediacy or, as
Thanks, too, for all the really astute observations:
I learned neat things:
Most of all, no matter whether I mentioned anyone specifically or not, I just have to say again how grateful I am to have a group of online friends and acquaintances who can hold such a wonderful conversation.
And now, one last question:
P.S. I tried three times to post this, and had the post eaten thrice. The fourth time appears to have been a charm, but since I began writing this two days ago, I thought I'd mention it.
This entry was originally posted at http://kaffyr.dreamwidth.org/226555.html?mode=reply, where there are currently