SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board

Writer's Room => Chapter Books, Easy Readers, and Middle Grade (MG) => Topic started by: carol-baldwin on March 15, 2021, 08:58 AM

Title: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: carol-baldwin on March 15, 2021, 08:58 AM

Anyone have knowledge about whether or not present tense is acceptable for middle grade?I'm writing upper middle grade historical fiction. Is that acceptable in the marketplace? Thanks.

Title: Re: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: mrh on March 15, 2021, 09:12 AM

Yes, present tense is used in middle grade. You can find some examples in your reading. I can't name any off hand, because it has become so well used that I often don't notice it anymore.

Title: Re: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: carol-baldwin on March 15, 2021, 09:14 AM

Thanks, Anne!

Title: Re: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: David Wright on March 15, 2021, 02:08 PM

The first one that came to mind for me was 1st person, present: The Someday Suitcase

Title: Re: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: carol-baldwin on March 15, 2021, 02:30 PM

Thanks, David.

Title: Re: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: ButterflyGirl on March 15, 2021, 03:21 PM

I am in the middle of a contract negotiation for an upper middle grade novel that is written in first person, present tense. :)

A few novels worth studying are Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793, told in first person, past tense. It's YA, historical, with an incredibly immediate "feel" despite not being in present tense. Another is Beth Vrabel's Bringing Me Back, also first person, past tense. For a first person, present tense MG, you might want to look through The Swap by Meghan Shull.

Best wishes!
 :star2

Title: Re: Present or past tense in Middle Grade?
Post by: carol-baldwin on March 15, 2021, 03:29 PM

Oh, that sounds exciting! Mine is also upper middle grade--but I didn't think we could label our books with that category! I want to hear more about your book!