And they lived happily ever after...

[caer]

So, this post is a result of a recent discussion with citron_presse and spending way too much time on metafandom (also from talks with shiparker a while ago on a subject related to this topic).

Comments

[juno_chan]

Hmmm. Interesting question! I think, for me, I'm naturally inclined towards the more 'happy ending' in the case of chaptered fics, or, at least, an ending that leaves the reader (and me) feeling resolved. In the case of multi-chaptered fics, the desires of the readers don't influence me too much, because before I even begin writing a multi-chaptered fic, I write a complete outline of the entire fic. I started doing this after I realized 22 chapters into a massive fic, years ago, that I had written myself into a huge hole that I didn't know how to write myself out of. So I usually Stick To The Plan. I think this also depends on the type of long-fic you write--mine usually have some sort of action plot, so I'll definitely resolve that at the very least, which usually satisfies the reader enough. However, if your chaptered fics focus on a relationship...well, it's life, y'know? It doesn't have to have a nice, wrap up because the relationship is going to continue or not continue outside of the timeline of the fic.

In the relationship vein, one-shots/vignettes I write often have open endings, and sometimes I am harrassed to continue. But I mean...if the idea isn't there, the idea isn't there, and it's hard enough at times to make myself actually sit down and finish a piece I DO have ideas for, so a few whining reviewers usually don't budge me. However, if a FRIEND harasses me to continue something, sometimes I do cave...however, I'm usually not crazy about the results. Fic you're not invested in rarely turns out very well.

[caer]

it's hard enough at times to make myself actually sit down and finish a piece I DO have ideas for

WORD. I've never had anyone harass me to continue anything, but even if they had, I probably wouldn't for exactly the reason you stated. I mean, there's a reason to why the fic ends where it does (with mine, anyway) and continuing that after it has finished just...destroys the purpose, I feel.

I think the problem is everyone has a different idea for 'resolved.' And at the extreme, you have people who have little or no tolerance for endings besides a Certain One. You'll find a lot of people who just *need* their OTP to end up together by the end of the fic, and if that doesn't happen then that fic is deemed 'unworthy' or 'unrealistic', and definitely 'unlikable.' And no author wants to be unlikeable, which is where the pressure to write That Ending comes in. ALTHOUGH. I *will* say that this type of reaction seems to be *most* common (but absolutely not limited to) to people who don't write. Generally I find that other writers are more accepting towards a less-than-happy ending (not always, there is the odd author here and there that is hell bent on ZOMGHAPPYMARRIAGESQUEEONLY!), and that's probably because they know that sometimes it just needs to end This Way and not That Way.

Er, I'm all over the place with reply. Sorry about that, heh.