The Importance of Verb Tense, or I Think the Diet is Working
It’s such a big rule in creative writing: Don’t shift the tense. Repeat after me. Didn’t shift the tense. (Doh!)
If your story is in present tense, you’d best bet it better stay there. From time to time, I read something where the writer magnificently shifts the tense, like “The Custodian” by Deborah Eisinger, but generally speaking, it’s best to keep to the same tense. And in fiction, writers (and readers) tend to favor the past tense. Including me.
As it turns out, I also favor the past tense in certain conversations. I made this discovery just yesterday when I was talking to my naturopathic doctor about The Boy.
For those of you not already aware, The Boy has eczema. Severe eczema. And whenever I took him out in public, people asked me about it–
“Does your son have chicken pox?”
“What’s wrong with him?”
In June, we put him on a special diet.
Now, when I take him out, the people who stop me and ask about his skin say this–
“Did your son have chicken pox?”
“What happened to him?”
See?
See the beauty of the past tense verb?
People no longer think something currently afflicts The Boy, they just think something USED TO afflict The Boy and he is now healing from it.
Ah.
Of course, we’re still a ways from the finish line, but we get closer every day. I suppose the next step is people not noticing his skin. Dare to dream.
And in other news, I find it supremely hilarious that there is a brand of milk called Hemp Bliss.
Oh yes. I do.
May 20, 2007
August 29, 2007
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Oh, what wonderful news. I am so glad he is doing better. The pictures look so much better.
Hooray. He must be so bloody happy!
Oh GOD, that first photo. Your poor baby. I’m so glad he’s feeling better.
Great progress!
Wow. After seeing photo one, yeah… what progress! What kind of diet changes did you make. Enquiring minds and all that.
hemp bliss. who can’t love that?
the after picture is brilliant. it’s working.
Wow, I thought his skin looked better, but the photo’s are proof. I am so glad it is working. You’re one dedicated mama! WTG!!!
Bless his heart! I’m glad he’s on the road to recovery. I’m off to read about the diet changes.
That is fan-fuckin-tastic! We are sooo happy for you and yours in the SRH household. Really, he has to be feeling much better. This is great!
Oh, poor kid! I’m glad the diet is working.
(So have you tried the Hemp Bliss?)
Oh how I itch for him!
My eldest had severe eczema as an infant, to the point where we would go to fetch him from his crib in the morning to find a happy baby. And blood on the sheets. Lots of blood.
I’m glad your guy is on the mend.