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

[nakeisha]

*Nods in full and total agreement with everything you say*

Me too.

And yes, my death stories (of which I have been writing quite a lot recently *sigh*) always end 'happily'. Even if they don't actually die at the same time, they are always both dead by the end of the story and that's not years and years afterwards. So he can be abnormal together ;-)

[nakeisha]

That sounds like a good idea to me. But actually, as you say, there are more of us out there. I know that. I've had this kind of conversation with other people, who say that the only 'right' and 'happy' kind of death story is one where they are both dead by the end. I really hate the kind where the survivor appears to almost shrug and move on and find a new love.

Hmmm, normal, eh? Not too sure about that. LOL

[kilraaj]

If it were for a comm specifically about that pairing or those two characters in relationships, I would warn for both scenarios. I probably wouldn't warn for "unhappy ending" on the first though; just "breakup" or something like that.

Otherwise, scenario I gets no warning from me. It is a happy story, barring any other plot wrinkles like deaths or whatever, with both characters growing--even if they are growing apart.

[nakeisha]

Thank you for this. Apologies in the delay for replying.

*Bangs head on desk* Do you know, I hadn't thought of using 'break up' as a warning. Thank you.

[executrix]

Hey, I started out in Blakes7, where the entire named cast dies under the worst possible circumstances. BtVS ends with the town a smoking crater, and in AtS there's a meaningful possibility that the world is going to end. Divorces and bad breakups just don't make it into the "unhappy ending" category for me.

[azdak]

Couldn't agree more. Also, I can't really imagine wanting to read about an amicable, mutually agreed break-up unless there was something much more interesting going on in the foreground of the story. To paraphrase Joss Whedon, there's a reason why Shakespeare didn't write a play about Othello popping out to get a quickie divorce.

[executrix]

I don't suppose that's what Loves Labours Wonne is about, either.

[azdak]

Surely Love's Labours' Wonne can only refer to childbirth?

Possibly - in fact probably - of twins. Of different genders but nonetheless inexplicably identical. Who would go on to have all sorts of romantic adventures and humorous confusions of identity but would at no point either (a) kill their lover or (b) have an amicable divorce

[boyfriendincoma]

This clearly depends on the fandom. If your fandom has an One True Pairing and 99 percent of its fic ends with them living happily ever after then everything where they don't live happily ever after clearly requires a warning. Otherwise you are setting up your reader for a big disappointment, since the statistical odds will have him believing that your ending will be happy right until he reaches the bottom of the webpage.

In some fandoms you can have your OTP separating in the most brutal ways just to run in front of a bus afterwards without having to give any warnings, not even the infamous "death fic" one.

So as a general rule I would warn people of everything that is highly unusual for the fandom's fic - not just unhappy endings, but also all sorts of other stuff. I would make an exception though if the warning would ruin the story. (Think "The Sixth Sense" being warned with "Has a dead protagonist.")

[nakeisha]

That's a very good point indeed. My main fandoms are all where a high percentage of the stories are indeed happy endings.

I know a lot of people say that they don't like warning for death or other similar stuff as it ruins the story, and yes, I understand that, but I often think they have to think of the reader. It's a difficult one, and whatever is done, no one will ever please everyone.

I always warn for 'death of major character', even though anyone who regular reads my stories know that my death stories end 'happily', i.e. with both of them dead. So it's a different feeling in many ways.

Thanks for your input.

[perivates]

Although I do think that the "unhappy ending" warning is for the benefit of the readers without absolute reliance on the characters, I don't think that the first scenario merits this warning. And in some cases, the second scenario might not be accurate with such a warning either, since I have come across exceptions before. But generally, the second scenario is more along the lines of what would call for an "unhappy ending" tag.

For me, "unhappy ending" isn't really so much about how the story ends, but what feelings it leaves the readers with. If it leaves you with tears burning your eyes and your gut clenching, then it's tragic. But even then, bittersweet endings could have the same effect. I think "unhappy ending" doesn't really allow for a full breadth of emotion. Yes, there might be some unhappiness at the end, but it isn't necessarily sadness alone. Though I personally don't agree with using that warning, I'd probably at least label it under tragedy, if it fits.

[nakeisha]

Thank you for your comments.

Indeed, you're correct the reader can indeed be left with tears and intense feelings even when the ending isn't necessarily unhappy. I've experienced it and know that my stories have let people experience it too.

The whole thing re: warnings, etc. is a minefield; we know we'll never pleased everyone all of the time (or any of the time).