My editor has finished the first round and now I’m faced with a major problem. How much re-writing do I want to do? Do I want to give my novel a happy ending?
A while back I wrote a post entitled the Perfect Ending, questioning whether there was such a thing.
As a reader, I tend to prefer ambiguous or mixed endings over happy ones. I know this goes against the general rules but I can’t help it. When I read, it’s not because I want to fall into a perfect or fantasy world. I don’t read science fiction or fantasy for this reason. I read because I want to learn something about humanity, see something I didn’t see before, and I want to be entertained. I’m looking for all of this in a world that may differ somewhat from mine but still resembles the real world. And in the real world there are no happy endings. Happy moments, sure. But Happily Ever After doesn’t exist. Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
So … How to Knock a Bravebird from Her Perch doesn’t have a happy ending. The ending does serve its purpose though. The major conflict of the story – between the protagonist and antagonist is resolved but other problems still linger, for the reasons listed above and because this novel is the beginning of a series.
I had a vision for The Morrow Girls Series. I had a purpose that made me sit for hours in front of my computer churning out scene after scene, chapter after chapter. Two and a half novels. Not to mention the five or six that it took for me to realize my vision in the first place.
The Morrow Girls Series is centered around three major ideas.
- People can come from the same environment, same genetic pool and develop into completely distinct characters.
- Sometimes heroes are made and sometimes they are born.
- Out of devastation and pain can come tremendous strength and endurance.
So, here is the problem. Readers want a happy ending. In fact, they expect it. By not giving it to them am I crippling my series before it gets started? Should I rethink my vision for the series so that it has more commercial appeal?
Short answer: No.
Slightly longer answer: Shakespeare in Love, Saving Private Ryan, omg…The Lion King. Life isn’t always a bed of roses.
But, do two things: What’s best for you and what’s best for you.
Meaning, what’s best for you as an artist may not be best for you as a business woman. Weigh your options and go with what’s truly best for you all around.
Thanks hun!
You’re welcome. Remember to update us on your decisions. PS – Jack didn’t survive in the Titanic.
Most happy endings seem far too convenient to be believable, to me. But I belong to the same camp as you, I prefer an ending to feel real than happy. I think the majority opinion around styles shifts with the times, as well. As a culture (to generalize broadly) we’re becoming a little more cynical and suspicious, and that may work in your favour as well.
Interesting post, though. I’m struggling with some editorial choices of my own regarding the integrity of my initial concept vs. publishability. Good luck!
Thanks for taking the time to comment. It’s nice to know there are like-minded writers out there! I just thought I was odd. I hope you’re right about there being more of us now. And if we’re honest with ourselves, how much fun is writing if we don’t follow our creative compasses? I understand that publishing is a business and to a degree I guess that makes writing a business too, but how satisfying is commercial success if we have to sacrifice integrity along the way? Let’s consider 50 shades of Grey …
Ugh, let us not! Haha. It pains me to think that that book found a publisher when I’m still struggling. But I guess it doesn’t do any good to dwell on it.
I think our time is coming. Consider all of the kids who are reading books like The Hunger Games. I haven’t read the whole trilogy, so I don’t know if it ends happily or not, but the theme itself is darker than we usually see in YA fiction. If they are anything like I was as a kid, they are likely going to grow up wanting to push the limits of these emotions and experiences further rather than regressing into a need for simplicity and satisfaction with complacency. At least, I hope so.
Either way, you’re right. If you have to compromise too much with your writing, eventually you will lose the desire to write at all! There will always be a market for honest writing, even if it is smaller. Maybe if we keep feeding it, it will grow!
Lol. Yes, I agree. And about Hunger Games – I’ve heard that it doesn’t end well. That the ending is sad and not very well done. But you make a great point. Even the Twilight Series is dark and you’ve got grade school kids reading that. And the truth of the matter is that not every book is for everybody. We’d drive ourselves crazy trying to write to everyone’s tastes. This book is going to be what it is and some people will want to read it and others won’t. Doesn’t mean it won’t be successful. And it’s not like any writer is a one-trick pony! I’m sure you’ve got a couple of things up your sleeve, as do I