When To Use Which?

[Weird Harold]

This is pretty much why I don't use present tense; because it doesn't read right. I'm not skilled enough as a writer to use it effectively.

Also, I hate it because it's pretentious and artsy (no offence meant to anyone who writes this way. Just the way I feel).

I tend to feel the same way about most instances of present tense -- "pretentious and artsy" is a good description of what it's like when done poorly.

When it's done well, though... Who pays attention to the technical details when you're swept up into the story and carried to some magic land where "rules" don't matter?

I wish I had the skills to write in any mode I can think of. Alas, I have to stick to the simpler modes to make myself understood -- for now at least.