I was putting my daughter to bed the other night and she said, “I want to stay with you forever!”
Of course I told her she was sweet, and continued tucking her in. But she held onto my hand and said, “I really, really do, Mama. Can’t I always live here, even when I’m a grown-up?”
I smiled at her and gave her a hug. “I know you think that now. But you’ll be a teenager and won’t want to spend as much time with Mama. And then you’ll grow up and want to have a family and a house of your own.”
I kissed her goodnight.
The next night was a determined repeat of the last. “Can’t I always live here with you, Mama?”
I opened my mouth to give The Truth of the Matter, Part II, when it finally occurred to me that that was not the ending she wanted to hear. I wasn’t giving her what she wanted. She was going to keep trying for the alternate, better ending.
“You can always live here. Even when you’re a grown-up. You’ll always have a home here with Daddy and me, if you want it.”
Big smile and she was happily off to sleep.
Critics and movie goers frequently like different things. Critics see movies all the time and are bored stiff by formulaic movies. Movie goers are frequently happy with comfortable familiarity. Critics wouldn’t mind some really tragic endings to films. Movie goers are less tolerant of unhappy endings.
Are readers really any different?
What does a reader want? Frequently:
Unambiguous endings
Tied up sub-plots
No cliff-hanging endings
And….for many readers….happy endings.
I’ll admit that I try to plug into what readers want. I really want to make a career of this writing gig. I get emails from readers and read what readers have to say in comments on book blogs. I’m taking it all in. For me, satisfying a reader is priority #1. If I’ve satisfied readers, my editor is usually pretty happy, too.
Elizabeth – You’re right. Making the reader happy is a big part of writing. I think some of the things readers want are things that we writers think about anyway (e.g. strong characters, interesting plots, clear endings). But it really does help to put oneself in the reader’s shoes. I think keeping the reader’s perspective in mind helps to make a story more accessible. That’s why I like to give what I write to a few trusted people before I submit it so they can give me that point of view.
That is so sweet! My older daughter went through the same thing. She kept asking for reassurance, like we ere going to kick her out or something–I think they must go through a stage where they realize that they won’t always be kids and that there will come a time they leave us.
But I agree with giving readers what they want–especially if you market commercially. The trick is knowing what they want. Your list covers things pretty well ;)
I was just debating about this the other day. I’d love to try a story with a grand, tragic ending. It worked with Titanic. But, in most cases, the reader comes away with a ‘bad feeling’, no matter how great the rest of the book was. I loved Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials trilogy, but I hated the ending, and now that’s the main thing I remember. Happy endings are the best. You want to experience the whole story over and over to get to that ending again. So, no matter how tempted I am to write something negative, as a reader, I know I like a positive finish, so that’s the best way to go. Smart move Elizabeth.
(off course, my husband points out, the definition of a ‘postive’ ending is debatable–is it all wishes fulfilled, or getting what’s best for the character?)
Great post – whenever I’m discussing a plot with my best friend her first question is “does it have a happy ending?” She’s one of the many who can’t stand endings where things are not wrapped up neatly and characters haven’t got what they deserved. This puts me in a bind sometimes because I prefer bitter sweet endings. Things nicely wrapped up but not happily ever after. The two of us argue about it constantly. At least we both agree that a book that doesn’t end is the worst possible thing and she’ll settle for an unhappy ending over a lack of closure.
This is an endlessly debatable subject, so I’ll be brief.
In genre fiction, happy ends are acceptable to me. In serialised stuff, you have the freedom of ambiguity. In deliberately reader-unfriendly stuff you can kill anyone. Which is why I dislike pleasing the reader so much.
Personally I prefer endings that blend hope with despair. They’re most honest. Happy endings depress me since they’re built around lies or pipe dreams.
ok, I’m an older mom here, so my view about your daughter’s question may be a bit jaded. My darling husband told our boys that “they’d always have a place to stay with us.” Now I can’t get rid of the buggers! (my kids are 24, 23, 21, 17….)
But on what the reader wants..I know for myself, I want a book that has a lively pace, keeps my interest, and has a satisfying outcome in the end. And that’s not necessarily always happy.
Good blog!
I have a couple of little awards for you over at my blog, my dear! Come by when you can!
I recall our son freaking out when we told him we were converting his room to Dad’s office shortly after he left for college (across the country, so frequent visits home were out of the $$ question). We told him he’d always have a home here, just not his old room.
But my fear when my kids left was that they’d be back. Thank goodness they’re all doing well on their own. No empty nest for me. I’ve earned the “ME” years. Not to say we don’t communicate and get together. They just don’t live here.
As for readers — if you’ve done your job and created characters they relate to, they might not agree with what you had in store for them at ‘the end.’ That’s why I began writing with fan fiction.
Great post! I’m a happy endings fan. If a book doesn’t have a happy ending, I tend to not read that author again. Life is tough enough.
I like happy endings too. I guess it’s because when I read a book it’s to escape day to day life. There’s enough sadness in life so books are a way of giving us hope, happiness and reassurance like your daughter wanted.
My niece, who is just graduating from college with her third degree, loves reality endings in movies, I told her that is because she doesn’t really live in the real world, she’s been sheltered living in a collegian world for the last twelve years. Me and my daughter love comedies and I especially love great mystery and suspense stories and movies. The best mystery movie ever made is “Laura”, 1940’s, Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and Clifton Webb. If you’ve never seen it, the ending is awesome! I like my endings tied up, no lose threads. They can have a twist as long as it fits the story and not there for shock value. Good post!
I usually choose the movie with a happy ending. My books, however, don’t always wrap up so sweetly. (They aren’t Shakespearean – wherever nobody gets out alive – but they definitely aren’t “It’s a Wonderful Life.”) It’s a good exercise, I agree, to think about what pleases one’s reading audience.
Great post. We can fans by giving the readers what they want. If we fail to meet their expectations, then they probably won’t buy our books anymore. So the trick it giving them what they want while writing the story the way it needs to be written. :] NOT EASY.
Ah your daughter asked a good question, and the answer you gave left her feeling secure.
I hope my book ending will satisfy the reader, and they get what they were hoping for from me.
Yes, Elizabeth, Laura is the one with the portrait! Can’t beat the 40’s and 50’s for good mystery movies.
With flash fiction the rules are a bit different, but one of the reasons that I love crime fiction novels so much is certainly that this is the only genre where you are almost certain you will get a proper ending! I don´t need neat and tidy answers to ALL questions, but I must know who did it and why.
So glad you realized what your daughter needed. So often in parenting we miss that. I know I missed a lot when my kids were young.
In regards to the writing, I think the readers expect different things depending on the genre they like to read. Romance fans expect the “happy ever after” ending. Mystery readers want the mystery to be solved. No ambiguity for them. :-)
When you move into mainstream fiction and/or literary, the expectations are not as clearly defined. Maybe that is why I have been enjoying more mainstream fiction lately than genre.
Margot–I think we can get away with writing one book that has an alternate ending. But we have to be aware that we might lose some readers in the process–“Oh. She writes bad endings.” You have some readers who will feel cheated that they’ve invested emotionally in a character and then we’ve killed them in the end (or whatever we’ve done!)
Carolina–I guess it’s an insecurity thing? She seemed so much happier after I’d given her that reassurance.
And you’re right about the type of market you’re writing for. If it’s commercial fiction where you’re looking for a broad reader base, you have to be careful not to turn them off.
Lorel–You know what I think is the difference there? We all *knew* the ending. Well, we didn’t know one of the protagonists wasn’t going to make it, but we knew what happened to the ship right off the bat. I think if you have a book that says from the start how it’s going to end (and I’m thinking about movies b/c for some reason books aren’t coming to mind)–“Dyeing Young,” “Titanic,” “Moulin Rouge,” then the reader is all right with the sad ending. I think it’s when it comes as a surprise after they’ve invested emotionally in the character that it’s really the problem.
And I think your husband is very perceptive. I was upset originally at the ending of “House of Mirth” but then realized that maybe it was all for the best for the character.
Cassandra–Closure is the most important, isn’t it? I hate ambiguous endings. Bittersweet isn’t so bad. As a reader, I don’t mind an occasional bad ending–but I might not read that author again later.
Glynis–Good point. We have almost an unwritten contract with our readers. They have certain expectations going in…and they hope we’ll deliver.
M.J.–I think that’s true, especially in fantasy, where it’s more prevalent. The only thing I’ll add about that is that it can upset the reader if they have to wait 9 months to a year for the next book and you’ve delivered a cliffhanging ending. My son reads an Australian fantasy author’s books and the message boards were absolutely ripping him after he wrote a real teaser of an ending for one book. The older readers felt manipulated. My son, who is only 12, just said, “Mom! When does the next book come out?”
And I’ll add, MJ, that you’re a more sophisticated reader than many. Like the movie critics out there who prefer a film with an original ending, even if it doesn’t please the masses. That’s why they sometimes give 5 stars to movies that flop.
Sharon–That’s exactly what my husband said! “Don’t let them come back!!”
And you’ve got an interesting point–satisfying isn’t always good.
Awards! Aren’t you sweet. I’ll pop over in a minute.
Terry–I know what you mean! We’re grooming kids to leave the nest and be productive, well-adjusted adults. Hopefully they’ll make little homes of their own!
Fan fiction has always interested me–exactly from the perspective you’re mentioning. The readers wanted something else from the series they enjoyed. The author didn’t deliver it, so they’re developing the storyline themselves. That’s right, isn’t it? Or is it more of an homage?
Jemi–I usually go in that direction now, too–I just don’t have the time to read that I used to, and I want an escape when I’m reading.
Mason–Exactly! I can get reality by turning on the news. I want something that I’m NOT getting from real life. Satisfaction! :)
I think you’re right about the four things that readers want. I can occasionally accept that things don’t turn out the way I wanted or envisioned, but I do want closure. Great post, Elizabeth.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Judy–“Laura”–is that the one with the portrait? I remember one from the 40s, 50s, that kind of had a noir feel to it. I love that kind of stuff!
Helen–Me too. Whenever I don’t get a wrapped up subplot, I always wonder if it was lost in the editing process…it reads like a mistake to me.
Glen–And with a grittier book, you could get away with it more, I think. The reader expectations are different than with genre fiction, etc. Or maybe you could set up the ending with foreshadowing so it wouldn’t be an unwelcome surprise.
Tara–Very tricky. I have certain guidelines to follow for the genres I write in and I do really respect the boundaries. I think if I want to try something radically different, I’ll try a different genre under a pseudonym. I just wouldn’t want to risk it.
I agree we do have to cater to the reader’s likes/dislikes/tastes – otherwise we do not satisfy them and will not become popular. Me, I’m not so insistent on the happy ending. If the loose ends are tied and there is finality, I’m ok with that, even if the bad guy wins and justice did not prevail … that’s life a lot of times, right?
But that’s me, and I’m definitely NOT in the majority on that one.
Marvin D Wilson
Oh, goodness, Elizabeth, be careful what you tell the little darlings. They might hold you to it. :)
I’ve debated this happy ending issue on other blog posts this week — seems like others are wrestling with the same question. We would have missed out on a lot of great novels over the years if we insisted on the characters living happily ever after.
Marvin–I think you like to task more risks as a reader and writer, that’s all. Nothing wrong with that.
Actually, not to be sexist, but I wonder if there might be a gender gap here, too. Both MJ and you like original endings, even if they’re darker.
There may also be a *genre* gap here. Fantasy readers and writers are more tolerant of unconventional endings and sad endings, I think.
Oooo, Elizabeth, I like your explanation for Titanic! That sense of forboding keeps you in the right mindset through the whole story. I’m getting some ideas for writing this tragedy now. Thanks!
Judy–That IS a great movie. I haven’t seen it for a few years, but when I notice it on A&E or AMC, I always tune in.
Dorte–That’s what I like about reading mysteries, too! It delivers what it promises.
Maryann–You are so right about lit fic. And sometimes I really want to read high-concept literature. As an author, though, I’d worry if I wrote too many non-standard endings. I don’t want to lose too many readers.
It depends on what sort of reader you want to make happy. The majority of readers want a happy, tied-up ending. The unfortunate few like myself relish stories that aren’t neat and tidy, that make me question. I’m like the film critics who crave challenges for my over-exposed brain and heart. But there’s only a few of us, and the mad geniuses who don’t care about making a living with their art will give us the nuggets of gold here and there.
Great post Elizabeth! Plugging into the needs of the reader is critical- your daughter is proof that happy endings are in the majority.
Hmmm…I think it depends on the contract you have with your readers. Shakespeare did both and brilliantly but you know right away which one you’re in so you can relax even if it is tragedy. It isn’t so much whether the ending is happy or sad or bittersweet or unfinished to me. It is whether I KNOW which type the author is promising me. How do they do that – by picking a genre, by setting a mood, by using humour early on or not, by giving me characters that I trust will stick around for one or two books etc… The Yearling – sad ending, To Kill a Mockingbird – pretty sad ending. Gone with the Wind – maybe some hope but not much. But I was good with all these because I knew. I don’t know how I knew but I did. And if it has gratuitous violence or if the craftsman is tooo good at the horror craft (Stephen King) I’m not reading it. I am a therapist – I hear lots of sorrow all day and it isn’t a problem but I don’t like it at night. I’m going to watch Finding Nemo now. I know the ending – it is in the title – that’s a contract!
Patricia–Ha! I’m hoping the kids will forget all these little episodes we have!
I totally see your point. I’ve enjoyed many books with less-than-happy endings. As a writer, though, I’m leery. If I do it, it’ll be under a pen name for sure. And not the Riley pen name–something new and different. :)
Lorel–Oh good! I do think that as long as we know what we’re getting into, we won’t be upset by a sad ending.
Jan–I know what you mean. Good point about the writer/reader contract. You knew “Gone With the Wind” was going to be sad, since the protagonists were going to be on the losing side of a war. Shakespeare used the words ‘tragedy’ or ‘comedy’ in many of his titles. And I’m sure you do want a bit of an escape from the harsh realities of life after hearing about them all day. That would be tough!
Julia–Variety is definitely good. As a reader I like different things…sometimes, anyway. :) As a writer, I have to worry about branding, though. I’d love to try an unconventional book one day–it won’t be under my name, though.
Tamika–It’s true. It’s a matter of personal taste…but I know far more readers who want a satisfying ending–and satisfying, to many, is happy.