Sentences which are written in the present simple tense but actually that...

[Sonia*]

hello sir. Hope you people are great.

Please make me alive to one thing that many a time, I noticed when I read any novel not ofcourse the original text I came across with the sentences which are written in the present simple tense but actually that material tells about the events happened in the past.
so I get confused that instead of using the simple past tense to narrate the event or any scene they present it in the simple present tense. why do they use the present simple tense to narrate an event instead of using the past simple tense.

thanks a lot sir.
sonia*

[Alan]

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Hi Sonia,

I can understand your confusion but this use of the present simple is known sometimes as the 'historic present'. It is often used in narrative to make the reader feel that the action is happening now. It's also used in graphic conversation when someone is telling you what happened as in: Suddenly the door opens and in walks my old friend, Charlie. He comes up to me and shakes my hand ..... After all in written fiction the actions in the story are there all the time and when you start reading, they come alive again.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Sonia*]

thanks a lot Alan.
one more thing I would like to ask....
suppose we describe first paragraph in the present simple tense after that if we desire to change the tense,shall we change the paragraph also.
And second thing is how we can assume where we are supposed to use "historic present".
Please describe me fully all the rules. And please give me some feed back if my English is fine.
Sorry to bother you a lot.
I would really appreciate your input.
Thanks a million sir.
sonia*

[Sonia*]

please consider this question also and remove my confusion.

[Alan]

Hi Sonia,

I think really I have answered your points about how to use the Present Simple in a narrative and can't add any more. I would suggest you have a look at some fictional writing and see for yourself how tenses are used.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A day in the life of a policeman

[Sonia*]

Ok sir,

You are right sir. I will act upon your suggestion. Sorry sir If I bother you.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion Sir.
sonia*