What tense are your DJ entries written in?

[Licity]

I notice that a lot of the online DJs here at DV are written in past tense. I know some people have written DJs that are nothing more than shorthand scribbles, made illegible from trying to write in the dark. My dream journal is written in present tense, like I am chronicling the dream as it happens. How are yours written?

[Darz]

i think mine is in both

[yuriythebest]

past tense always

[Abra]

In the journal, it is always in present tense. By making it seem as if it is happening, and not a memory, I can remember more. When I post it on DV, it depends (at that point, it doesn't matter). Usually past tense.

[ThreeLetterSyndrom]

I use a mixture Some dreams are in past, some in present I can switch from one to another several times within one dream

[Unelias]

I usually have only keywords because I can construct the whole dream with those words only. So I rarely have verbs there, but if I do, there is no logic behind the tense. Sometimes present sometimes past. I can read my old journals and recall something from every dream. Even if they were years ago. Of course some dreams that were very special to me are burned to my memory forever, at least that's what I think

[Edo]

I try to write them in present tense, since I've read that might help me remember it better. But if I don't pay attention I start writing in past tense. I think that if you read your DJ later, present tense might be easier to read, idk.

[capoopy]

Mine are always in past tense, and i try to keep it as neat and readable as possible so the reader can follow whats happening, but that doesnt always work out with my dreams as sometimes its hard to the visual stuff and everything into words

[Unelias]

Mine are always in past tense, and i try to keep it as neat and readable as possible so the reader can follow whats happening, but that doesnt always work out with my dreams as sometimes its hard to the visual stuff and everything into words My aim is to make it as confusing and unreadable as possible ^^ even my native speaker will have hard time of reading it since it has been written in very chaotical way. I really don't like the thought if somebody reading it. I give entries for people to read, but at least I can control what entries

[thedreamingwolfess]

Past and present.

[frostyelf]

I write in the past. I sometimes remember things that happened earlier in a dream as I am writing, so I think it might be kind of confusing if I tried to write in the present tense.

[Wildman]

Mostly present, but sometimes I spill into past then when I want to comment on what's going on more than just telling it.

[Sotik]

I notice that a lot of the online DJs here at DV are written in past tense. I know some people have written DJs that are nothing more than shorthand scribbles, made illegible from trying to write in the dark. My dream journal is written in present tense, like I am chronicling the dream as it happens. How are yours written? I record my dreams on a voice recorder (really easier then trying to write down a 4 page story at 4am) in present tense. Then I will listen to my voice recording and write it in a journal in past tense. I find this to be a lot easier because I can get into full detail on a voice recorder and be able to copy that later into my journal so its eligible. Plus I can just lay back and close my eyes and talk as I recall the dream and not have to sit up and write.

[Draoi]

Present.

[snoop]

Past.

[Smarties]

I tend to write down some keywords and later extend my entries in the present tense. I just find it easier to write down my dream if I envision it happening right then rather than trying to recall it as the memory it actually is.

[Amethyst Star]

Mostly present, but sometimes I spill into past then when I want to comment on what's going on more than just telling it. I do the same.

[Robot_Butler]

Mine switch around depending on how I remember the dream. Sometimes the dream feels distant, like I was watching it happen instead of experiencing it. Other times, I remember it so vividly I can walk through it all over again when I write it up.

[Hukif]

Past tense always, unless there is a discussion/talk with a DC, but thats not much anyway <.<

[Paradox-db3]

All my dreams are recorded in past tense. I suppose because it was something I experienced during the night and now I am remembering it.

[OrionStyles]

Ya know, this never crossed my mind. I just looked at my dream jorunal and it's a weird mix of both. When I describe what is happening in the dream or what I am seeing it is present tense. When I describe what I am doing in the dream it is past tense. Heh, imagine how fun a book would read if it was written like this.

[The Cusp]

I always use present tense, as if the dream is happening right now as you read it.

[Robot_Butler]

I've heard people suggest you should always recount your dreams in present tense. Similar to an image stream. Supposedly it helps put you in the scene and makes it easier to remember/visualize.

[Paradox-db3]

I actually find that I remember my dreams best as a memory of things that happened. But that may also hinder a LD. Who knows?

[aioinae]

Future. Nah, actually mostly past/sometimes present. Though a dream journal in future tense would be pretty weird if you found it and didn't know what it was.