Today's Topic:
The happy for now ending...
A growing number of romance novels have been released with a happy for now ending instead of the tried and true happily ever after most readers have come to expect from the genre. Do you think this type of ending acceptable?
16 comments:
I'm content with a Happy for Now ending because it's more realistic than a Happily Ever After. It also leaves the story open to sequels where we can read how the relationship continues to develop between the characters.
Exactly what Barbara said, but I do notice that some readers and reviewers still want all the ends tied up neatly in a bow!
Sometimes the loves and stories of our characters are just too big for one book!
I'd have to agree that it seems more realistic. People change constantly and relationships live or die by whether the partners are willing to accept the changes and work at the relationship.
So many people have broken up because they think "Okay, I'm in love, it's gonna be like this forever." and don't put any more effort into it than that.
Then again, I'm a cynic and don't really believe in happy ever after.
I like the Happy for Now ending, primarily because it's more realistic and open. That being said, I also think the ending depends upon your story and characters. Some stories cry out for the HEA, others need the HFN. I think as long as the ending is satisfactory and stays true to the story, then it works.
I think it all comes down to how you define HEA and HFN. It also strikes me that this is more of a question where erotic romance is concerned due to the business model of e-publishing.
I've seen some people say a HEA is the 'white picket fence, gazillion babies, sugary sweet, totally unrealistic, etc.' kind of thing and some e-authors strongly disparaging other authors or readers for writing/wanting to read romance with a positive ending.
Needless to say, as a romance reader who likes to read erotic romance I want a happy resolution and I get upset when a book is labeled 'romance' but ends with the protagonists separated or dead.
The whole point of reading a romance is that I know however dark it may get, however bad the things are that happen to the h/h, there will be a positive outcome in the end. I want to read the journey, want to follow along, but I want the guarantee that I'm not left, at the end, an emotional wreck because everybody dies or ends up alone. If I wanted to read sad or tragic endings I'd read stuff a la 'Bridges of Madison County' or 'Madame Bovary' or other so-called literature.
That's not what I want! :)
To me a HEA is when I come to the end of the story and I believe the heroine and hero are in a committed relationship with both intending this relationship to last indefinitely. That doesn't mean that they will never fight, or never have issues, or that sad things won't possibly happen to them later, it just means that at the end of the story they are believably a couple (triple :) in love with a good chance to make a go of it. That basically means HEA/HFN by my definition are pretty much the same as opposed to the distinction I've seen other people make and that I kind of vaguely follow, but not really.
Could you all elucidate on how a HEA differs from a HFN in your opinion?
I know very few people who go into a relationship thinking that it won't last, so it strikes me as weird when people say they think HFN is more realistic than HEA.
I do have a bit of an issue when HFN is used as a device to write more stories just because. I agree that there are couples who need more than one book. On the other hand, I think it's also part of the e-publishing model to ask for shorter stories, so fewer words can be sold for more money. I dislike that extremely, because I'm often left thinking the story was only half-done (at 70-90 or even 150 pages). Why not write/publish the whole thing (300-400 pages) in one sitting if there's more story to tell?
I've seen arguments saying that's because reading on screen makes for shorter attention spans, etc., but I want longer stories, not shorter ones. If I'm emotionally engaged with the protagonists I want to stay with them as long as possible within that one book.
That said, if it's labeled 'romance' I want some kind of 'happy' at the end of the story/segment because I want to feel positive when I'm done, ready to tackle my life and the mess the cats have made while I was absorbed in the story. :)
If the book is part of a longer arc, it would be nice if that were indicated somewhere on the 'buy' page. I think most often I'd prefer to wait to buy until all parts are available.
I agree. I think it's unrealistic to force a happy ever after ending for each story just because of tradition. I don't want bad endings, but I don't think there needs to be "I love you's" and commitment ceremonies at the end of every story either.
It seems some of the more erotic erotica (sexual journey) uses the HFN more so than the erotic romance (standard HEA).
HFN to me means there is a resolution that may or may not include marriage/committment, but a resolution to the journey of the h/h. This works best, for me, in fantasy/sci fi, where you know that there is more to come, the story isn't all told. Sagas, trilogies, etc.
HEA is where all the ends are tied up, the resolution is a committed relationship/marriage, and you don't expect the story line to continue past it.
So, depending on the genre I'm reading, if it's romance, I want the HEA, if it's F/SF, I can deal with the HFN.
I'm not sure that's got anything to do with story length or that epubs want to sell less words for more money.
If readers didn't want a short, quick, satisfying read, epubs wouldn't waste the time/space/money on them. They are a business, first and foremost.
I equate epub short stories with print catagory romances - simple, one story line, fast reads. And for the money, you can't beat it.
Amanda wrote:
start quote: I don't want bad endings, but I don't think there needs to be "I love you's" end quote
I'm really curious about that statement. Why market something as 'romance' or 'erotic romance' where the protagonists are not in love or falling in love? Would that not be better off marketed as straight erotica?
I know I would be disappointed if I picked up a story marketed as 'romance' that doesn't have a relationship besides multiple hot animal sex encounters in it.
I read romance and erotic romance for the emotional connection between the characters, to see how their relationship develops and how they overcome obstacles to being together.
Happy for now endings are alright as long as I know that there's a really good chance that it will turn into a HEA if there's a sequel. I'm a big fan of urban fantasy so the HFN endings are something I've grown used to reading.
Lynn, thanks for clarifying your take on HEA/HFN for me. It was interesting to me that you equated marriage and commitment since I don't and that helped me understand where my interpretation differs.
As for the word count: I do not buy stories where the cost/word count is not comparable with print categories (50-65k for around $5). I've seen quite a few e-pubs offer 20 to 25k stories lately for around $5 and I will not buy at that price even though I was (very) interested occasionally.
Growlycub - I'm not sure I was as clear as I should have been.
To clarify, I don't think there needs to be this big, "I love forever and ever, amen" moment at the end of every story. A romance novel wouldn't be a romance without the feelings and commitment, but I don't think that should mean every story has to ends with a marriage and babies, either.
Does that makes sense? Man, I hope so. I think I'm on some kind of rambling kick today.
Amanda,
I agree about the marriage and babies. I don't do babies, except the 4-legged variety. :) Matter of fact our new stud just moved in and there will be babies in our future, he he, kittens that is...
I think I disagree about the 'love forever' bit because that's part and parcel of why I read romance. Sure, I know in the back of my head that in RL many, if not most, relationships fail and that the pheromone induced euphoria goes away fairly quickly, but I still want to read about that moment when it's 'love you forever and ever'. I gotta live vicariously since I've been married for almost 8 years and the pheromones are all used up. :)
I've read stories that I think would be considered to have HFNs rather than HEAs, but I'm pretty sure they were all part of a story arc that eventually ended in a HEA.
I think Robin makes an interesting point about SF/F and UF with regards to that.
Thanks for clarifying!
I used the committment word because I write m/m romance, and since same sex marriage is only legal in a few states, gay romances rarely end in marriage. But they do end in a committed partnership, some even have committment ceremonies.
In today's world of romance, boundaries are constantly being pushed. There is eroticism for the sake of eroticism, plain ol' romance and every flavor in between.
I agree with growly...before you pick up a book, if the book is being labeled a "romance" you read it expecting a HEA. To not get what you're expecting is disapointing, to say the least.
So, it's "buyer be aware" that the book you pick up is what you're expecting, and not something that will leave you wanting.
How do you do that? It may not be easy.
Some publishers will tell you straight up what the "type" of romance it is, some don't.
I use key words - like UF, SciFi, Fantasy, etc. to let me know it may contain a HFN ending.
I do think it comes down to how you define HEA vs. HFN.
I want the couple at the end, committed to each other with some sign it will last beyond a day. I want a resolution to the story arc of that book.
I don't care about the white picket fence, babies, or marriage.
I think satisfying resolution is important. That could be HFN or HEA.
If a woman has lost her home, her job, her damged ex and had a dire trauma, I don't want the hero saying "Last night was great darling, I think we should date." I want him to be 'smitten' so that it all seems worth it.
If they have been battleing outside forces, are equal warriors, had great sex and both have vanquished their mutual enemy, I don't want him saying "I want you to come and live with me, and then we'll be married." I want them happy for now - it seems to suit her more.
Suit them both.
I am here for fantasy, so I have no illusions that I am going to get fantasy. But I want the ending to match the love style between the protagonists.
That is how it works for me.
First i have to say that i'm a huge HEA fan. I like to have my stories tied up with little bows saying "there, all done". But now for a little reality check: Okay having read all the comments and agreeing with both sides I have to say that in some stories HEA won't work at the end. Sometimes the best thing is HFN otherwise you compromise the story. I understand that as a reader and i'm happy to accept the possibility that HFN will become HEA. If that means that i have to buy another book to make sure, well, okay.
As far as shorter books because of shorter attention spans from looking at an electronic screen, I'm on my computer for anywhere from 9 to 13 hours a day and i will read anywhere from five to seven books in that time. It's no different from a paperback for me. If my eyes get tired I walk away for a while and come back later.
As for writing shorter stories in order to make sequels, well print publishers do it too, Harlequin has made a fortune on it. Nora Roberts writes trilogy books all the time, sure it would be easier to read if they were all together, but it would compromise the story. I guess my point is that most authors don't think in terms of "how can i get more money from this story" and would object to a publisher asking them to split their work into two books instead of one.
Post a Comment