Mixing tenses in past tense fiction


In past tense works (novels, etc.) is there a place for some present tense verbs, such as "think" or "know" or "was."


Example: I turned to leave, and he didn't try to stop me. I think I surprised him. I know I surprised myself.


This sounds much more natural to me than "I thought I surprised him." Is there a word for this? A rule? Would you rephrase it? If so, how? Thank you.




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