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

[citron_presse]

it's better to finish in a way that best reflects the context of the text and emotional states of the characters as written in the story. I agree with this and I hope, for the most part, I do this. I can, say, however, that on occasion, if a story could go either way, especially with Mark/Lexie for some reason, I have weighted the ending towards hope. Although I can't conclusively say whether this was my choice, the direction the story seemed to go most naturally, or assumptions about readers' preferences

[citron_presse]

I remembered an instance where I gave in to real and not in any way perceived reader pressure. And, actually, it wasn't an ending (because it was only chapter 4 of a fic that now has 17), but I think it's relevant. The previous chapter involved Meredith as near as dammit cheating on Mark and, on a board that I no longer post on, I had one or two quite disappointed reactions and I totally panicked. The same day I'd posted ch 3, I wrote ch 4, letting her confess and them be (almost) happy again and flung it up, un-beta'd. And, even on ff.net, where nobody had complained, I got a bunch of reviews telling me how relieved people were. And that was great

[caer]

I think you do. I've never felt that you were forcing your characters to an end that was truly inappropriate or unfitting, given the situation or based on personal preferences =)

I know I've already said this, but I'll say it again: I really like the point you've made/possible solution you've offered in regards to readers leaving con.crit. I wonder if this lack of willingness is something that's present in most fandom, or if GA (M/L?) is in the minority? I also wonder what causes this atmosphere? Seeing as how most of us are writers commenting on other writers, you'd think giving con.crit would be something we excel at. I know I've already brought this up in my other reply, but I also wanted to mention it here.

if there's silence it's because the one reader who really loved the story has tentacles!!

LOL. I'm totally on board with that philosophy! =D

That seems to be a common reaction (see foibles_fables's post) - the disgust, and I assume it's akin to feeling like you 'sold out'? I actually like cheating/adultry fics, because I feel like

[caviarandmeths]

I definitely feel pressure to end my stories happily if I want to be a well-liked writer. It doesn't necessarily prevent me from writing the occasional story with a more ambiguous or angsty ending, but I do feel the need to then warn people that it's not a happy ending. On the other hand I do get comments then from people who say they don't really like the angsty ending but that they do understand that it had to end that way, which I actually quite like. I feel then like I really succeeded in conveying exactly what I wanted to convey in the story. That even though they wanted it to end differently they were along for the ride and understood why it couldn't

[caer]

What I find *really* intriguing in the responses I've received, is that the authors I presumed the most to not feel this pressure (including you!), actually seem to feel it the most keenly. (Which I also find quite humbling, in fact =))

Those sorts of comments are quite awesome. I've gotten a few here and there, and I feel exactly like you described: like I really succeeded in conveying exactly what I wanted. It definitely takes the pressure off, I find, and there's always a sense of relief. It's scary/fascinating how much power reviews hold over a writer.

Hm, that's surprising for me to hear you say that about yourself. However, now that you've mentioned it, was All You Need Of Hell one of those stories? I always felt that it ended (although ambiguous) on a much lighter note than everything that preceded it

[foibles_fables]

I was just thinking about this the other day. Usually, my stories naturally gravitate toward a happy ending (simply because I haven't written/completed anything REALLY heavy on the angst yet).

But...

have you ever felt pressured to end a story a certain way because you know the fans will love it? Have you ever compromised an ending? To what extent? How did you feel about it afterwards?

Yes, I have. I wrote this thing over the summer, Drifting Further Away. It was a relatively heavy Mark/Lexie story set in LA, dealing with fertility troubles and a visit to Oceanside Wellness. It was originally supposed to be a two-shot, and it finished with the most openended conclusion I've ever written. And I really liked the way it ended. But. I felt nervous about leaving it where it was, since this openended conclusion included Mark and Addison...and I didn't want anyone to turn against me (lmao!). So I wrote a follow-up, and I have never been more disappointed with a fanfiction piece in my life. Thing is? A few people really enjoyed that ending

[caer]

I remember you mentioning that a few weeks ago, and I couldn't place the fic (because it was in that weird month or two where I wasn't reading GA fic) so I looked it up. Honestly? I loved the ending. Thought it was rather brilliant where you left it (also, the who was I sharing you with back in New York?? Made my day, bb!). I didn't read the follow-up (mostly since I couldn't find it), but I really don't think one is necessary. I think that fear of people turning against you is very real for a lot writers. CP mentioned succumbing to something like it in second post, and like I said to her, I'd imagine it feels like something close to 'selling out'? Sometimes you have to ignore the readers, I find (as mean as that sounds), and like you said, write what you want to write. I don't think you'll have trouble finding an audience; there'll always be someone who'll like it (me!), just like there'll always be someone who doesn't

[foibles_fables]

Well, glad you liked it :) I loved that ending myself. And...just continue not reading the follow-up, k, bb? Trust me, you don't want to.

I totally agree with the con. crit idea. A lot of the "crit" in the GA fandom is all about "this sucked, you should have written it like THIS" (mostly anonymous reviews on ff.net, which I delete).

[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

[caer]

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

[shiparker]

I don't think a happy end is necessary to a good story (I take Spring Awakening for an example) but I do think in some cases it's relevant. For example, after watch Six Seasons of Lost, I do not accept Sawyer and Kate to have anything other than a happy end. It's like karma in a way, it's the development that leads to an attachment after a tortuous journey. So, I guess it depends of the level of angst that leads to the end. If the characters suffer a whole lot physically or mentally it seems a moo point to make them end up miserable. I think there is more impact if the characters have happiness and loose it in the end. But both options (The whole angst ---> happiness and happiness ---> angst can be cliches) are usually what makes more sense