My early stories only used the past tense verb attrition, 'said'. But lately, I've been experimenting with the present tense, 'says'. I've heard there is an arguement of which is correct. The dialoge tag 'said' tells the story as if it has already occured, and that seems to me more like tellng the story instead of showing the story.

Someone (Auntietk, that ever present writing coach-banger on my head-elusive guide through a forest of verb tenses) keeps telling me.. show don't tell. Yea, okay, easier said than done. So, I've been trying to use only 'says' present tense to give the story the feeling that it is unfolding as it happens. I kind of like it, seems more action happening to me. 

So, what's the take. Is 'says' the great evil of literature, a distraction to the story? Must we step to the cadence of 'said' or can we skip down alternative paths to the tune of 'he says, she says, without incurring the wrath of the great tense gods that sit upon Mount Merriam and pass judgement on us poor mortals.

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Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader