I want to begin with something that catches the reader while using the 1st person present tense narrative.
eg.
"I am a bad person. I am bad because I cause harm to myself and others."
Assume this introduction continues for an appropriate amount of time (i.e. 5-7% of total story length - or less).
I then wish to "jump into" the story. This is where I'm running into trouble. In my head the story reads better jumping into the 1st person past tense narrative.
e.g.
"I was sitting at my desk reading a book when I heard an alarming sound. Upon investigating this startling occurrence I came face to face with an intruder. I stabbed him repeatedly with my letter opener".
But is it OK to switch like that? In a word I was taught, "no". Should it read:
"I am sitting at my desk reading a book and I hear an alarming sound. I begin to investigate this startling occurrence and I come face to face with an intruder. I stab him repeatedly with my letter opener".
The tense really should not change within the same chapter, if that's what you are planning to do.
If you wanted to change tense - you should have, say the prologue be in the present tense. Then have a distinct separation indicating that you are now "jumping into" the story and changing tense.
Cheers.
1920s RARE SILVER INLAY CORAL CELLULOID DIP PEN & LETTER OPENER SET MINT ANTIQUE, Vintage Brass Egret Bird Letter Opener and Scissor Set in Wood Box shear sewing, Nice! Sword Letter Openers Double Set with Leather Sheath (Dragon Head Handles), Old, Unused, Boxed, Dur O Lite Mechanical Pencil Set, With Letter Opener, Union Pacific Railroad UPRR Pen & Letter Opener Presentation Set / New-Old, NEW! 3-Pc. Red Japanese Samurai Letter Opener Sword Set w/ Display Stand, ENAMEL & CRYSTAL BOX & LETTER OPENER ~ DESK SET (NIB), ENAMEL & CRYSTAL BOX & LETTER OPENER ~ DESK SET (NIB), Camden Dodson Co.Artisan Green & Black Marble Design -Letter Opener-Part of set , Vintage Brass German Scissors Letter Opener and Sleve Set , Laban Platinum Plated Roller Ball Pen and Letter Opener Set, Handcrafte Pen and Letter Opener set made from Bethlehem Holy Land Olive wood, Colibri GIFT SET BUISNESS CARD CASE PEN LETTER OPENER FREE SHIPPING MSRP 69.99, Rare vintage German Kaweco writing desk set-diping pen&letter opener&seal&pencil, SAMPSON MORDAN SILVER SCREW PENCIL DIP PEN SEAL LETTER OPENER SET GRIS 1905, GORGEOUS SET OF ANTIQUE STYLE OX BONE BRASS MAG GLASS & LETTER OPENER,10.5''L., Vintage Letter Opener and Scissors - Set, MAKO LO2 Letter Openers Fixed Blade Knives, Set of 2, NIB, Ships ASAP, GERMAN ANTIQUE KISMET DESK SET SCISSORS AND LETTER OPENER, AMP PEN AND PENCIL (SHARP) SET & 40TH ANNIVERSARY LETTER OPENER 1941-1981--NICE!, Replica Antique Horn Magnifying Glass Hand Lens & Letter Opener Set, Final Fantasy Blade Sword Letter Opener Weapon Set NIB, J.A. HENCKELS GERMANY GILDED GOLD DESK TOP LETTER OPENER+SCISSORS SET 1930s DECO, AS ITALY SCISSORS AND LETTER OPENER & SOLINGEN GERMANY LEATHER SHEATH CASE SET , DESK SET - - LETTER OPENER -- - MAGNIFYING GLASS - - IN BOX WITH BRASS ANCHOR, Hand Painted Blue Jay,Blue Bird Set NEW Letter opener, 1 Bookmark Shpg $4.95, Hand Painted Eagle Gift Set NEW Letter opener, Bookmark, Magnet Shpg $4.95, Hand Painted Red Tropical Fish Set NEW Letter opener,Bookmark,Magnet Shpg $4.95, Hand Painted Cat Gift Set #16 NEW 2 Letter openers, Bookmark Shpg $4.95, Hand Painted Cat Gift Set #1 NEW 2 Letter openers, Bookmark Shpg $4.95,
