Feedback - New Ending Suggestions

[johngalt47]

I've posted three stories. For each one I've gotten feedback that says my ending was wrong or that I just have to do a sequel. My latest post, The Elephant, has generated 7 responses all of them telling me that the ending was wrong.

I am just a little surprised. I knew the story didn't fit the preferred formula for cheating wives but the vehemence of some of the emails! Do most of you get suggestions like these?

 

[TheEarl]

The ending was wrong? That's a new one. Listen John, if they want a different ending, they can write it themselves.

Take notice of feedback which you feel improves you as a writer and by all means alter your style of writing to suit your audience if you want. But don't take any notice of anyone who tells you that you've got the plot wrong. It's your story, not theirs.

The Earl

 

[openthighs_sarah]

My latest post, The Elephant, has generated 7 responses all of them telling me that the ending was wrong.

Yeah, I just read it, and it's true. The ending is all wrong.

 

[openthighs_sarah]

Okay, I was joking. I only read the last half-page -- my attention span begins to scream when I'm confronted with 5-page Lit stories. (But I do like your writing.) And the ending seemed fine to me, except that now I can't read the rest of it because I know how it'll end.

Do most of you get suggestions like these?

My suggestions are really more along the lines of: "Maybe you could involve two girls at the same time instead of one, and incorporate a bunny or two." (I'm paraphrasing.)

On an unrelated note -- I always thought Francisco was the more interesting one, sexually. Nice choice with the name, though.

 

[Guest]

all wrong?

johngalt-

I will have to disagree with my esteemed colleague. Sometimes an ending is ALL WRONG. Yes, an author's plot is his own, but for me it is a matter of continuity. If the ending isn't true to the character as he/she has been drawn, it can be wrong.

Now, sometimes I am unhappy with the plot choices of an author, but that is more a matter of opinion. I am one of those evil readers that will read the last 10 pages of a novel to see if the "right" characters are still alive and happy. If it doesn't turn out "right" in my opinion, I chuck the book.

I have received feedback that has told me that my female characters did the wrong thing and what she should have done. I have received other feedback that has given me explicit instructions on what the characters should do next.

I try to take all of the above as compliments- someone got into my characters enough to have an opinion on their actions.

b

WELCOME!!!

 

[TheEarl]

After reading BK's post I'll add an addendum to mine. Your ending is never wrong, unless it's not true to the rest of the story. If the ending's way out, then it is wrong. If it's in style, then fair enough. It's your ending and you can kill who you want to.

Did I say that out loud?

The Earl

 

[gauchecritic]

I was editing for an author here (can't remember who, there are so many ) and one of my suggestions about a sex scene was about the male staying clothed (having trouble concentrating here listening to 'Forget About Dre') anyway, the author's reply to this was along the lines of "Well that's YOUR opinion".

Everybody's got an opinion.

"Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got something to say but nothing comes out when they move their lips just a bunch of gibberish, the motherfuckers act like they forgot about Dre"

I knew I'd mentioned it for a reason.

Pretending to be cool but coming out

Gauche

 

[MathGirl]

Feverish

Dear Gauchie,
Are you running a slight temperature, dear?
MG