Why I Write in First Person Present Tense
How writing in the moment creates urgency, intimacy, and unforgettable stories.
A Note for Readers
This article’s about key moments from my serialized stories, The Velvet Room Conspiracy and Bound by Affection, and why I write in first person present tense. While you don’t need to have read the stories to enjoy this article, experiencing them first will make the examples hit harder.
The Velvet Room Conspiracy is a gripping tale of ambition, secrets, and danger. It follows Charlie as she infiltrates a secretive establishment to uncover the truth behind her best friend Bianca’s disappearance. If that sounds like your kind of story, you can find the latest chapters on my Substack.
Bound by Affection is a psychological thriller with elements of forbidden romance. It follows Dr. Emily Carson, a therapist whose life unravels when she takes on Elias Sterling, a volatile and dangerously obsessive patient. What begins as a professional relationship quickly turns into a battle of wits, blurred boundaries, and forbidden desire.
Both stories demonstrate how first person present tense creates tension, intimacy, and urgency—qualities that make serialized fiction come alive.
Why I Write in Present Tense
When I first started experimenting with serialized fiction, I didn’t just want to tell readers what happened—I wanted them to feel like they were living it. Present tense became my go-to tool for creating that kind of immersion.
At first, switching to present tense felt like learning to write with my left hand. I’d write a sentence, stop, and wonder, “Does this even work?” Every sentence felt clunky and awkward. And sometimes, without meaning to, I’d slip back into past tense and have to rewrite entire paragraphs.
But once it clicked, I knew there was no going back. Present tense let me capture the urgency and tension serialized fiction demands. It’s immersive, intimate, and relentless. Here’s how it works in my stories.
Building Suspense and Living the Tension in The Velvet Room Conspiracy
First person present tense puts you right in my character’s shoes. You don’t just read about what’s happening—you live it alongside them. Every decision, every thought, every heartbeat happens in real time.
Take this moment from Chapter 1 of The Velvet Room Conspiracy:
The noise of the city seeps into our Brooklyn apartment—honking cars, distant sirens, and the occasional shout from the street below. Bianca paces restlessly, her sharp footsteps adding to the chaos. Late afternoon sunlight filters through the windows, streaking the floorboards with gold and catching the frantic movement of her thick brown curls.I try to focus on the book in my lap, but it’s impossible. Her energy is magnetic, pulling me away from the page.
You’re not just imagining this scene—you’re there, hearing the city’s hum and feeling the tension as Bianca paces. That’s the power of present tense. It immerses you completely, making the moment feel alive and immediate. For serialized fiction, that immediacy is key. Each chapter needs to pull readers in and make them crave the next one. Present tense lets me do that by keeping the story in the now.
In present tense, the future’s unwritten, even to the narrator. That uncertainty creates suspense. You don’t know if the characters will succeed, fail, or survive—and neither do they.
Take this moment from Chapter 4:
The key rests in my lap, cool and solid, its weight unmistakable. Had Bianca sat here, holding this same key, thinking she had everything under control? What was she hoping to find here? And what did it cost her? The thought twists in my gut.
Every detail—the key, the cameras in the room, Wesley’s piercing gaze—feels like a potential threat. Present tense heightens that sense of danger, making each choice feel critical.
Later in the same chapter:
“Welcome to the story you’ve chosen, Charlotte,” Wesley says, his tone smooth and foreboding. “Let’s see how it unfolds.”
He pushes the door open, and my heart pounds as I step through, crossing the threshold into the unknown.
You don’t know what’s on the other side of the door, and neither does Charlie. That shared uncertainty makes the scene impossible to look away from.
Exploring Forbidden Obsession in Bound by Affection
Bound by Affection is a serialized psychological thriller about a therapist, Emily Carson, and her volatile patient, Elias Sterling, who becomes dangerously obsessed with her. Therapy, by its nature, is reflective, but Elias forces Emily to stay on high alert, amplifying the intensity of their interactions.
Here’s how present tense works in one of their sessions:
I scribble a note, but my focus is on the way he says it, the subtle shift in his voice that gives away nothing.
“So, what does get to you?” I press him, hoping to uncover what he’s hiding.
The tension rises as Elias leans closer. I lean in, drawn to his words, attempting to stay objective. He’s baiting me, and I’m taking it.
Present tense turns this interaction into a battle of wits, happening moment by moment. You’re not observing Emily trying to hold her ground—you’re feeling it, the way she’s drawn in despite staying objective. It’s immediate and unsettling. But it keeps readers hooked.
Final Thoughts
Every writer has their own style, shaped by their goals and connection to their craft. For me, writing in first person present tense is about giving you, the reader, the most immersive experience possible. I want you to feel what my characters feel, fear what they fear, and love who they love.
Whether it’s the psychological warfare of Bound by Affection or the dangerous intrigue of The Velvet Room Conspiracy, present tense pulls readers into every twist and turn, making them feel like they’re living it right alongside the characters.
If you’d like to dive into the tension of Bound by Affection or the intrigue of The Velvet Room Conspiracy, you can find both stories on my Substack. These stories push me as a writer—and I hope they leave you craving more.
Thanks for reading and joining me on this journey!
Is chapter 5 ready yet?