Happily Ever After?
I love my HEAs I really do. In fact, I never thought I’d write a book without one. It just goes to show that a writer really isn’t in charge of her characters. I’ve been working on several short stories that end on uncertain terms. I don’t why, the stories just wanted to be written that way.
Now, don’t worry. I doubt I’ll ever go killing off my heros at the end of a book (although sometimes I really want to!). However, I can’t promise there will be no surprises at the end of my stories. In fact, I’m working on this idea for a series and I already have lots of thoughts on how to torture my hero and heroine just enough so they come back in a few more books!
So what about you? As a writer or a reader do you need the white horse, the sunset and a white dress? Or, when you reach The ENd, do you like to be unsure quite where the characters are headed?
Talks amongst yourselves.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Sigh. I hate to admit it, but I do need my HEA. At least in a Romance Novel. Or honestly, I’m fine with HFN. But I do need them to get together. BUT if I have adequate warning, like you’ve just given me ;) , I’m probably much better off! And wouldn’t automatically wall bang it.
But if it’s not a romance novel, and an entirely different cup of tea, well that can change things.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I want to read HEAs. As long as I know they’re going to be together for the long haul, I don’t necessarily need the ring and white dress at the end of the book.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Not sure if this makes me a big puss, but I definitely want my HEA. At least when I’m reading romance–it’s what I come to the genre for. The sure and certain knowledge that in the end, love wins and everybody rides off into the sunset to have fantabulous sex forever.
Other genres, it’s not as necessary to me, but romance? I say, it’s not really a romance if it has a sad ending. (Not to say a romantic story, or a love story can’t end sadly–but to be classified as romance–HEA all the way, baby!)
March 13th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I’m satisfied with a HFN but normally I prefer a HEA. Though I don’t need those big sweeping let’s get married and have babies type endings. Just as long as I know they’re together.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
In romances an HFN will do but I prefer an HEA.
In other works, any ending will do as long as it makes sense within the story.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Romance has to have at least the HFN but it’s better to have the HEA. I want to live in a world where they get their HEA, if only for a little while. If I didn’t want that I’d just turn on the TV. It’s that feel good ending that gives you the buzz, this pair have been tortured within an inch of their lives and now they get to ride off into the sunset and live HEA. Makes you smile and feel satisfied, they worked hard to get where they are, they deserve it. It kind of gives you hope that if you work hard in real life you’ll get the HEA too.
As for other genres, well it better make sense and it better tie up all the lose ends. I hate untied ends! Unless we get a follow on book to tie them up, then I can live with them.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
To me, if a book is branded as ‘romance’, I want my HEA.
But, if I’m buying erotica or suspense or something else, I can do without it. As long as I know not to expect a HEA.
I recently read a story by one of my critique partners. It’s paranormal erotica and short. No happy ending, but oh my God, it was the best story I’ve read in a while.
March 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I’m with Ava as long as I expect the ending, I’m good. And for romance I’m satisfied with a HFN–I’m satisfied with whatever fits the book as long as you don’t hit me with something out of left field.