Grammar questions

[aceplace57]

English class was a long, long time ago for many fans.
A grammar thread for fanfic questions would be helpful.
I'll start with one that's been giving me headaches.

How do you handle tenses when narrative events are at different times?
For example, I'm telling the story in present tense, but Cameron's actions took place several hours ago. I vaguely recall that you aren't supposed to switch tenses. But how do you avoid it? If I say "Cameron is acting oddly", that sounds like she's doing it right now.

It is a cool autumn day. Cameron was acting oddly earlier this morning. She is getting more paranoid and resentful of Sarah and Derek's leadership. Sarah has recently told Cameron it isn't a good idea to accept Morris’ invitation to the prom. Cameron is taking the decision badly. The tension between Cameron and the Connor's is escalating and it's getting dangerous. John is relieved when Cameron left early and went to see her friend Chola.

MOD NOTE: Fixed a typo in the subject. - Cyadon

[k8ie]

I'd go with the past perfect tense - there's a primer here: web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/410/grammar/pastpf.htm.

However, I'd suggest avoiding the present tense in narration for precisely this reason whereas simple past lets the author distinguish between events ongoing in the narrative (simple past), things that happened previously (past perfect) and statements in dialogue (present).

Also, if you need a brush up, it's hard to beat The Elements of Style for the basics - here's a link to the 1918 version: www.bartleby.com/141/. You can find the updated Strunk & White's Elements of Style for about $6.95 in paperback in just about any bookstore.

For example:

It was a cool autumn day. Cameron had been acting oddly earlier that morning. She was getting more paranoid and resentful of Sarah and Derek's leadership. Sarah had told Cameron that it wasn't a good idea to accept Morris' inviation to the prom... John was relieved when Cameron left early and went to see her friend, Chola.

[aceplace57]

thanks k8ie! I'll review the past perfect tense and correct the fanfic that I wrote in Sept. I want to keep a casual writing style, but I need to avoid the more common errors that even casual readers notice.

[aceplace57]

thanks Cyadon! My fingers weren't working too well that day.