a note on the endings of fics

[kaydeefalls]

Ahem.

As a writer of fics, I squee happily over feedback of any kind. That said, if one more person asks me why the ending of my fic isn't "happy," I will start throwing things at walls. Not the "aww, poor Dom/Billy/Georgina" comments -- I've certainly left a few of those meself -- but the "what are you SMOKING, you fool, they're supposed to be HAPPY" folks. I've noticed that this phenomenon grows worse when the fic in question is Domlijah. Dude. Just because this is your pet pairing doesn't mean every fic has to end in a cute, mushy, love-declaring fashion. Besides which, happiness is a relative term, and it has many shades and varieties.

And in my (admittedly limited) experience, relationships involve a lot more instances of bitterness and mistakes and missed chances than twoo wuv. They say to write what you know, right?

I've read a shitload of fics with sappy happy endings, and a lot of them were lovely and wonderful and such. But that doesn't mean EVERY fic has to be like that. It don't all come up roses, loves. And I know I'm probably preachin' to the converted, here, because none of you are of the "why didn't you make them HAPPY?!" contingent. But, yeah.

::steps off her verysmall soapbox::

As you were.

Comments

[bellsforme.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you. I actually find fics with sad endings more satisfying, in an odd sort of way. They don't leave me feeling fulfilled, or anything, but they affect me much more. They pull on my heart strings or make me angry with the world, and I find that's a much more interesting (and harder to achieve) effect than an "aww, how cute."

Not that I don't like "aww, how cute."

Re:

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

Not that I don't like "aww, how cute."
I certainly have no problem with those endings. I like them. A lot. Just, variety is the spice of life, and such, and not every fic has to end the same way. There are enough fandom clichés already.

[tvillingar.livejournal.com]

Basically, yes. I'm always whining about how I can't take angst and still I read it and feel miserable. I *love* happy endings, partly because there haven't been very many of those in my life but sometimes, a happy ending is just not possible or right. As someone (sorry, already forgot your name) pointed out, not-happy endings can be really fulfilling.

Did I have a point? Probably not.

Re:

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

No, you have a point. ;) Again, we all have our preferences. I like happy endings. Happy endings rock. I can certainly understand people prefer that everything works out sweetly in the end.

But hey, just because I don't like BDSM, doesn't mean I'm gonna give feedback to a BDSM writer about how her fic would've been good if it weren't for that bondage bit.

[shanalle.livejournal.com]

word. also? word.

Re:

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

Heh. ;)