Unhappy Endings

[nakeisha]

In fanfic what are unhappy endings?

Does the term 'unhappy ending' apply to the characters? Or to the reader? Or to both?

Take the two following scenarios (I'm not going to make it fandom, pairing or even gender specific, just imagine they are your favourite pairing or any other two fandom characters in a longish term established relationship).

Comments

[obelix]

I agree with you that I believe the "unhappy endings" warning is for the readers not the characters.

Most warnings are for the readers so that they don't come across something that will make them upset or squick them, especially in fandoms where happily ever after is the norm. Some fandoms tend to be normally dark while other fandoms are more normally happily ever after, it depends a bit on the tone of the show I think.

[nakeisha]

That was my feeling.

And it's a good point that some shows are 'darker', indeed have canon separations, which I guess is like do you warn for a canon death? I think the whole thing is a minefield really.

[obelix]

I guess it would depend but from what I've seen for show that are currently airing fics headers usually come with a timeline so if there is a canon death in a certain episode and the header of the fic states that it happens after that episode then they don't usually warn of canon death or separation since it's canon as from that episode.

Does that make sense?

[nakeisha]

It does make sense, yes.

I think that I'd warn for the canonically dead person if she/he died in any way other than how it was in canon.

[doylebaby]

I definitely do not consider Scenario I as an unhappy ending - yes, the reader might but the story isn't so I would feel like cheating when I would have to put a warning on it.

If this would be a big issue on certain comms, I might avoid this scenario for it and just use it to post it to my own lj and the comms I know don't want that specific a warning.

That doesn't help much, does it? *grins* Sorry!

[nakeisha]

Now that's interesting, it really is. I can see exactly from where you're coming, and yes, I agree that from the characters POV Scenario I isn't unhappy, but . . . I can see your point about feeling that you were cheating, I really can.

It's the age-old issue you won't please everyone no matter what you do.

And you always help.

[ptyx]

I don't know how to reply: I have never seen an "unhappy ending" label. Maybe it's an HP fandom thing, not having such labels, I don't know. Speaking in abstract terms, I consider the first scenario a happy ending, but if I were a fan of the pairing, I would consider it an unhappy ending. So it depends on how your community usually labels such fics.

[nakeisha]

I agree with you actually. Scenario I from the characters' viewpoint is happy; but not from the readers.

How you would view the two endings if they were about your own beloved pairing? Which, if either, would you view as unhappy?

[ptyx]

For me as a shipper, both scenarios would be unhappy.

[nakeisha]

I thought you'd say that.

*Wins bet with self* :-)

[aingeal8c]

I think the warning is for the reader and to me both of those fics should have an unhappy ending label because as readers often we want our favourite pair to be together for forever pretty much (I know I do) so yeah any ending that splits them up whether they are happy or not is going to make the reader unhappy (of course the reader might like to have the angst I wouldn't but I am a sappy, fluffy sort

[nakeisha]

I do agree, that the warning is for the reader, thus indeed I'd give both endings a warning. And yes, I want my favourite pair to be together, always.

As a reader I'd feel dreadfully let down with either scenario, I must admit, and have felt that way when the story has ended with them not together.

So . . . Confession time. Are you sitting down? You better be, because otherwise poor Pilchard might get landed on.

I have actually just written and posted a story with Scenario I.

*Pokes Aingeal*

*Waves smelling salts under Aingeal's nose*

*Dispatches Ducky with tea and sympathy*

Are you back with me? Good.

It's all right, EB6 has not completely taken me over. It's not G/D nor is it F/V (Aingeal breathes a sigh of relief). It is actually Starsky & Hutch. It's a story that I've had in mind even before I stopped writing S&H, so when I did the 12_stories challenge, it seemed an idea time to write it. Originally it was going to be very long and take me over a whole season, seeing how things changed, etc. etc. but at the end of the day

[aingeal8c]

I do agree, that the warning is for the reader, thus indeed I'd give both endings a warning. And yes, I want my favourite pair to be together, always.

Ah well GMTA ;-) Of course see I would never write it...

As a reader I'd feel dreadfully let down with either scenario, I must admit, and have felt that way when the story has ended with them not together.

Same here. I did read one fic that had them break up because Fraser relaised he didn;t love Ray and was using him as an excuse to ignore his feelings about Thatcher. I was traumitised with that one.

So . . . Confession time. Are you sitting down? You better be, because otherwise poor Pilchard might get landed on.

Yep I am sitting down.

I have actually just written and posted a story with Scenario I.

*Pokes Aingeal*

*Waves smelling salts under Aingeal's nose*

*Dispatches Ducky with tea and sympathy*

Are you back with me? Good.

*Aingeal slowly regains consciousess*

I'm okay...

It's all right, EB6 has not completely taken me over. It's not G/D nor is it F/V (Aingeal

[nakeisha]

I did read one fic that had them break up because Fraser relaised he didn;t love Ray and was using him as an excuse to ignore his feelings about Thatcher. I was traumitised with that one.

Oh, yes. That rings a vague bell *shudders*

Yep I am sitting down.

Good. Good. I didn't want Pilchard hurt.

I'm okay...

I'm glad to hear it.

LOh yes the 12 stories prompts are the dark EB6 style table aren't they? I feel sorry for them all the same. The phrase 'Sometimes Love Isn't Enough' is so sad I mean it should be...*sniff*. I feel for poor old Starsky & Hutch. But it's good you've been able to use something from all those years ago.

Indeed. But not all of the stories are dark, as you saw with 'your' story. What surprised me so much is that I had the idea for the story when S/H were still my one and only OTP. I could have understood it had it came when I was no longer in the fandom as such, but to have it whilst still heavily into them. Hmmmm.

[solo]

Both. Warnings are for readers who worry about having to read something that makes them uncomfortable; they aren't for the characters. Therefore, since both scenarios are likely to leave readers unhappy, both would need warnings.

[nakeisha]

Hey, you're here. We just received your postcard, literally today.

Thank you for it; it's lovely.

And thank you for you input.