Comments on: Debating the Happy Ending

By: annastan

annastan — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:40:25 +0000

Lisa, that’s a really good point. For a happy ending to feel justified, we have to feel like the character has earned it. The more they lose/sacrifice, the more we want a happy ending for them.

By: Lisa G.

Lisa G. — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:23:47 +0000

I don’t mind a happy ending as long as the MC has sacrificed enough to get to that point.

By: annastan

annastan — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:34:57 +0000

Thanks Ruth! I loved your comment. You’re absolutely right that certain genres dictate the kinds of endings we expect. I have a feeling that was part of why my fairy tale retelling decided it wanted a happy ending, because I was writing something that’s essentially structured like a romance.

By: Ruth Donnelly

Ruth Donnelly — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:06:34 +0000

Terrific guest post–I left a comment on the other blog.

By: annastan

annastan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:54:33 +0000

Thanks Andrea! That’s often how I feel about happy endings: after the characters go through so much, it’s odd that their stories are suddenly completely over.

Thanks Laura! I always feel bad not mentioning awards right away, but I’ll try to think of it as a happy surprise that I’m saving for later on.

By: Laura Pauling

Laura Pauling — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:17:37 +0000

I checked it out. Nice guest post. Anna, I waited over a week to pass ont the awards! I was just too busy traveling.

By: Andrea Vlahakis

Andrea Vlahakis — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:27:48 +0000

i hopped over and checked it out—nice post! Like I mentioned on your guest post, I’m not a big fan of happy endings. It feels like a let down somehow—as if all the conflict, struggle, etc the characters (and I ) went through didn’t mean anything. It’s like someone saying, never mind, everything is all right. Except life’s not like that. I do think leaving the reader with a sense of hope is important, though.