Okay, to start with I almost NEVER write fic that's the same tense all the way through. But I would suggest delineating flashbacks in some way, particularly if your story is longer and less lyrical than my typical style. Basically, as long as your consistent and readable, I think you'll be okay. :)

You know, this story kind of grew on me. Last week, it was a 1,000k word story about a little AU. Now? Now, it is a 11.5k word behemoth of a story. I should just write the whole thing out (I figure I have another 5k or so) and then see which one seems better.

But seriously, I need to tame these wild plot bunnies, ROFL

I am helpful ;)

Oh what would I do without your awesome help? ROF

I guess it's pretty obvious what I prefer in fics, eh? (^__~)

Flashbacks - italics or mentioned artfully in the main plotline text. Either are muy do-able.

And flashbacks as italicized separate bits or mentioned in another tense, again, either are cool. (But you know all about mu grammar nazi ways, yes? Yes.)

(^__~)

Now write that fic, woman, and Stop Stalling!!

*cracks whip*

Like I mentioned to another person, this story kind of came up out of nowhere--12k in 9 days (and you know me and my word pinching ways). What was going to be a little 1k sucker has demanded to be fleshed out--I'm thinking I'm going to end up at around 20k (Why couldn't this have been the way In Obscurum worked, huh?)

But, I am determined to get this sucker finished by the end of the month (I'm really hoping before the 18th when school starts up again), before scifibigbang sign-ups start. If it's anything like it was last year, I need to get much more organized. (I had nearly 2200 emails--including comment notifications--over the four months of the big bang. Seriously.)

And I appreciate your grammar nazi ways, LOL. I actually find myself correcting my verb tenses as I'm writing now. Professor Manny produces results! LOL