Need Novel 'Tense' advice

[Katze 198]

This might sound like a stupid question, but I have always written story's in the present tense, for example:
'The ship jolts as it settles on its landing legs, the engine humming as it winds down'.

 

With my novel, I am trying to write it in the past tense, but because I have always written in present tense, I am having some trouble.

​There is a sentence in my novel that reads:

 

“These beds are too small” she complained, shifting her position again.

 

Is that acceptable? to say 'shifting' after she 'complained'? or should I say:

 

“These beds are too small” she complained, and shifted her position again.

 

Another example is:

 

One moment she was lying on her side, her wings folded behind her. The next, she was lying on her back, one wing hanging over the side of the bed, the other creeping up the wall.

 

Should I say 'hung' and 'crept up the wall' instead?

Any advice would be helpful  

The first two I can understand the latter is correct, but with this example:

 

Raven continued to stare up at the stone ceiling, studying the fine details.

 

I feel like it explains that when she was staring up at the ceiling, she was studying the fine detail as she did, so I feel its fine. Am I correct?

Edited September 8, 2016 by Miamora Cadenza

[Hazard Time 1,127]

I would think either way is correct.  You could write all verbs in the past tense, though I tend to use the progressive tense, as well.  Typically, while you're using said progressive tense, it's been established in the previous clause that the sentence is in past tense.  Therefore, despite the different tense, "one wing hanging over" would have the same meaning as "one wing was hanging over" because the reader would assume that it was in the past tense, anyway.

 

At least, that's my personal opinion, and I'm no English major 

 

Edit: Also adding on after reading the last sentence of your post, that is very true!  While the sentence is in past tense, I feel it makes sense to have the second clause using the progressive tense as the second action is happening simultaneously with the first.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Hazard Time

[Katze 198]

I would think either way is correct.  You could write all verbs in the past tense, though I tend to use the progressive tense, as well.  Typically, while you're using said progressive tense, it's been established in the previous clause that the sentence is in past tense.  Therefore, despite the different tense, "one wing hanging over" would have the same meaning as "one wing was hanging over" because the reader would assume that it was in the past tense, anyway.

 

At least, that's my personal opinion, and I'm no English major 

See, that was my through as well, thanks for your input.

 

Another one is:

 

“This is not a joke” he urged, raising his voice slightly.

 

Its the same thing, but I think it's fine. As you said, it is already stated that it is in the past tense.

[Ruudo Burei 42]

Here you go.

 

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-pros-and-cons-of-writing-a-novel-in-present-tense

 

Originally, I wrote my fanfic in present tense, because it felt more natural; but my friend convinced me that past tense insists on putting both the reader and the narrator there in the action. Because of that, even the narrator shouldn't know what is going to happen. Suspense is almost completely removed.

 

Also, a story has already been written or recorded. So, it makes sense to put narration in the past tense for that, too. XD