Stories without a happy ending

[Erozetta]

I have a story in my head that I haven't written because I know it will not have a happy ending.

You could always write it and just not share it. But in my experience, people like emotions.

 

[yowser]

I think it depends entirely on the strength of the story. The only really down-note story I've done (comment from reader below) sits smack in the center of my average. Plenty of votes too, so not an outlier.

Wow that ending was super sad. Realities of war for sure, but still caught me off guard. Damn.

 

[D_K_Moon]

I like real endings. Some of mine are happy, and others are sad. My VDay piece is an example of a sad ending that was real.

 

[OffNSFW]

As a writer who has earned some spicy story comments in relation to this subject, this is a bit of a hobby horse for me. Sorry in advance.

I think wanting well-told, fleshed out stories that leap beyond the pure mechanics of pornography and wanting them all to have happy endings is wishing in one hand and shitting in the other.

I'm not going to begrudge anybody their preferences. But if I'm writing a story, I feel like I'm not doing a good job if I don't conclude it in a way that emotionally resonates with me and feels true to my life experiences.

Sometimes, that means a happy ending. Sometimes, that means a not-so-happy ending. Sometimes, that means an open ending, or an ending that asks the reader to lean in, to interpret, to imagine. I've written endings of all types, and I do my best to stay faithful to what the story is asking me for.

One of my favorite stories I've written, "Claire's Belly," has an open ending. The story ends inconclusively because the sexual relationship ends inconclusively. The character is left hanging. That's an identifiable feeling that I wanted to capture. Whether readers like it or not, at least some of them will feel seen by it.

Another favorite of my own, "She Smiles With Her Eyes," ends more conclusively, but it's a wistful ending. The character doesn't get what he wants, because what he wants is unreasonable. Again, this stuff happens in sexual encounters. A happy ending in this scenario where the two characters end up together long-term would be ludicrous.

Some people will argue that sexy literature should be escapist. I'm sure that it should, but I don't know where we're getting this idea that escapism should be free of bittersweet feelings and difficult experiences. I've had readers who cannot handle this level of emotional complication and who feel like I'm doing something to them personally by not providing an open-and-shut, happily-ever-after ending. I think it's much worse to force a happy ending where it doesn't belong. It feels dishonest to me.

Worse yet, I think readers that insist on a happy ending and avoid anything else will develop a worsening intolerance for stories that involve all but the most superficial conflict. (I had one comment on my holiday story, "Gift Givers," from a reader who didn't even make it through the first scene, in which the sex fizzles out.) I don't think that's good for people. Maybe not everybody has experienced the things I have, but you can still empathize with me, as long as you let yourself feel the feelings I felt that I'm trying to capture in my stories. Rejecting those feelings is rejecting that human connection.

And hey, sometimes that human connection can be found through happy endings. Just not always. I've written my share of happy endings where it makes sense. My erotic novel, "M.U.F.F.," literally ends with the two characters driving off into the sunset together, because 13 chapters of hard-earned love and connection put them in that car and in that relationship.

In my more cynical moments, I've known that I could jack up my scores by tacking on a happy ending, but I'm not going to do that, for the same reason I wouldn't feed a child chicken nuggets and french fries every day. There's nothing wrong with chicken nuggets and french fries once in a while, but there's a whole world of other stuff out there.

 

[nice90sguy]

I always write happy endings.

(Note that a "happy ending" in my case usually means abject slavery, hopeless addiction, or fnancial ruin)

 

[FidelityBoss]

What are everyone's thoughts about stories that don't have a happy ending?

I ask because a few of the authors I follow have stories that don't have a happy ending, and universally they all have lower ratings than their other stories. They all seem to be good stories to me, just without a sunny conclusion.

I want to bring joy to my readers. To this end, I understand the desire to have a happy ending, but a good story, is a good story.

Curious what others thoughts are?

Happy endings are definitely a crowd-pleaser, but bittersweet or tragic endings can be just as powerful, they stick with you in a different way. I think it comes down to execution and emotional payoff. If the journey is compelling and the ending feels earned, readers will appreciate it, even if it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. That said, it’s totally valid to want to bring joy to your readers! Maybe balance is key, mix in some happy endings while occasionally taking risks with darker conclusions. A good story *is* a good story, after all.

 

[FidelityBoss]

As a writer who has earned some spicy story comments in relation to this subject, this is a bit of a hobby horse for me. Sorry in advance.

I think wanting well-told, fleshed out stories that leap beyond the pure mechanics of pornography and wanting them all to have happy endings is wishing in one hand and shitting in the other.

I'm not going to begrudge anybody their preferences. But if I'm writing a story, I feel like I'm not doing a good job if I don't conclude it in a way that emotionally resonates with me and feels true to my life experiences.

Sometimes, that means a happy ending. Sometimes, that means a not-so-happy ending. Sometimes, that means an open ending, or an ending that asks the reader to lean in, to interpret, to imagine. I've written endings of all types, and I do my best to stay faithful to what the story is asking me for.

One of my favorite stories I've written, "Claire's Belly," has an open ending. The story ends inconclusively because the sexual relationship ends inconclusively. The character is left hanging. That's an identifiable feeling that I wanted to capture. Whether readers like it or not, at least some of them will feel seen by it.

Another favorite of my own, "She Smiles With Her Eyes," ends more conclusively, but it's a wistful ending. The character doesn't get what he wants, because what he wants is unreasonable. Again, this stuff happens in sexual encounters. A happy ending in this scenario where the two characters end up together long-term would be ludicrous.

Some people will argue that sexy literature should be escapist. I'm sure that it should, but I don't know where we're getting this idea that escapism should be free of bittersweet feelings and difficult experiences. I've had readers who cannot handle this level of emotional complication and who feel like I'm doing something to them personally by not providing an open-and-shut, happily-ever-after ending. I think it's much worse to force a happy ending where it doesn't belong. It feels dishonest to me.

Worse yet, I think readers that insist on a happy ending and avoid anything else will develop a worsening intolerance for stories that involve all but the most superficial conflict. (I had one comment on my holiday story, "Gift Givers," from a reader who didn't even make it through the first scene, in which the sex fizzles out.) I don't think that's good for people. Maybe not everybody has experienced the things I have, but you can still empathize with me, as long as you let yourself feel the feelings I felt that I'm trying to capture in my stories. Rejecting those feelings is rejecting that human connection.

And hey, sometimes that human connection can be found through happy endings. Just not always. I've written my share of happy endings where it makes sense. My erotic novel, "M.U.F.F.," literally ends with the two characters driving off into the sunset together, because 13 chapters of hard-earned love and connection put them in that car and in that relationship.

In my more cynical moments, I've known that I could jack up my scores by tacking on a happy ending, but I'm not going to do that, for the same reason I wouldn't feed a child chicken nuggets and french fries every day. There's nothing wrong with chicken nuggets and french fries once in a while, but there's a whole world of other stuff out there.

This is such a thoughtful take! You’re absolutely right, stories don’t always need a happy ending to be impactful or meaningful. Sometimes the bittersweet, open, or even sad endings are the ones that stick with us the most because they reflect real, messy human experiences. Forcing a happy ending where it doesn’t belong can feel hollow, and it’s clear you prioritize authenticity over pandering to expectations. That’s what makes your writing resonate so deeply. Keep staying true to your vision, it’s what makes your stories stand out. And hey, not every meal has to be chicken nuggets and fries, right?

 

[NuclearFairy]

I wondered for a moment if this was in reference to me. My first story I left open-ended and was quite heavily chastised for it. I wrote an epilogue that showed where the characters ended up, but think that made folks more angry.

After some time, I revisited the story, and found that I still loved the characters and had more to say about them. Thus I wrote another chapter that bridged the two. This seemed to make most folks put the pitchforks away, and I ended up with a complete story that I enjoyed writing.

No, I love open ended stories. They let my imagination soar. It's when it's not truly an ending that I hate it.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I have a story in my head that I haven't written because I know it will not have a happy ending.

I said that about my 750. I even posted a thread here saying that. But then I submitted it.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

My stories might have ups and downs, but I always have some sort of positive ending. I've dealt with too much bullshit, to not escape that in fiction.

 

[Wildfly11]

For me personally, erotica is fantasy. It's stress release, it's a dopamine boost.

That can include tension and conflict and cliffhangers and sadness, for sure!

But at the end of the day I'm not reading or writing erotica because I want to feel bad. I like it when characters find happiness at the end of their sexy journey, if I want a downer ending I'll read Cormac McCarthy

Well spoken my friend ...I'm on your side!!

 

[RetroFan]

I won the April Fools Day contest one year with 'The Lost Hours With Annabelle' a story that had a sad, haunting and ambiguous ending that leaves the readers wondering if supernatural forces were at play, or whether there was a more rational explanation and an amazing run of coincidences.

This story was posted in the Romance category so I think many of the readers there are more tolerant of sad and unresolved endings to the stories.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

This story was posted in the Romance category so I think many of the readers there are more

Romance tolerant of bad ends?? That is the absolute worst category for bad ends. You obviously got away with a one-off.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I won the April Fools Day contest one year with 'The Lost Hours With Annabelle' a story that had a sad, haunting and ambiguous ending that leaves the readers wondering if supernatural forces were at play, or whether there was a more rational explanation and an amazing run of coincidences.

This story was posted in the Romance category so I think many of the readers there are more tolerant of sad and unresolved endings to the stories.

Aunt Nancy ends with the souls wandering a cemetery.

 

[RetroFan]

Romance tolerant of bad ends?? That is the absolute worst category for bad ends. You obviously got away with a one-off.

Sad endings nor ambiguous endings aren't necessarily bad. Like happy endings or endings where everything is completely 100 percent explained aren't necessarily good. Of course, a happy ending story can be good and a sad ending story bad, but the reverse can be true, it's just how its handled.

All of my sad stories on the site have been well received in several categories, maybe because I knew when to end them?

As one example my Romance story 'Learning to Love Louise' starts off ordinarily enough with a 40-year-old single man Paul having a crush on his neighbour Louise, an attractive divorced mother of two around the same age. He wants to ask her out but can't seem to work out the nerve, despite lots of encouragement from Jane, a much younger work colleague and a friend. Then mid story things turn on their head when Paul freaks out on his first date with Louise and runs off, and it is then revealed things aren't what they seem. Jane is actually Paul's former fiancee and she died many years ago, some subtle clues in the story such as her wearing out-dated clothes, no other character reacting to or acknowledging her presence and the way she seems to flash in and out of the narrative indicating this.

The rest of the story is about Paul's struggle to let go of Jane and his grief and move on to happiness with Louise, which he does, seeing Jane one last time before she smiles, waves and fades away for good, the story ending at this point. In one way this is a happy ending - Paul has found a new love in his life - but it is also sad because Jane still died at a very young age regardless. There is also some ambiguity here, was Jane a figment of Paul's imagination or was she a ghost? This is up to the reader to decide.

Now imagine if I had gone a step further and Louise after a few months got back with her ex-husband and Paul was left all alone, no Louise and no Jane. Or if I had fully pushed the story into the supernatural, with Jane changing her mind and not wanting her former fiancee to be with anyone else, turning into an angry and vengeful spirit that haunts Paul and Louise relentlessly until Louise can't take any more, runs off and Paul is left alone again, these would be crushingly sad and bleak endings and not good conclusions.

Perceptions of readers vary of course, and while one reader might like an ending another may not. One of the worst ways to end any sort of story is the dreaded 'It was all a dream' ending. Until 2014 this definitely would have topped the list until 'How I Met Your Mother' aired its series finale and managed to relegate it to second, but regardless if you were to post a story that ended with 'it was all a dream' in any category you would likely get negative feedback.

 

[APilgrimSquare]

Most of my stories have happy endings. I want readers to root for my characters and feel their interest has paid off.

My one story without a real happy ending has my lowest score of anything besides my 750-word entries. Don’t think that’s the reason why, but interesting no less!

 

[Zootonius]

I've written several 'mature' stories with typically a forty-something woman and a college aged guy. I tend to leave the ending unfinished because the relationship is usually doomed.

 

[WhO2]

I generally like a happy ending to a sex story - I don't remember any times I had sex and wasn't happy.

I wrote one story that had an ending that one reader commented was unhappy. It was my lowest rated story by a mile, but it was also one of my most 'favorited' stories. It was also one of my few true stories.

A few earlier comments mentioned fantasies and happy endings, and I tend to agree with them. I spend many hours on each story and try to end each one with the possibility of future encounters (my idea of happiness).

Many comments I read on Lit are from people in sexless relationships, or who have sex that isn't as good as they want it to be. If that is our clientele, I can understand why they would rate a story with an unhappy ending lower than one with a happy ending.

 

[EdgySubMic]

For me, stories definitely do not need a happy ending, if only because I prefer them to stand out from the crowd (other than by just being well written); make the reader think; be remembered long after they've been read; ...

I also tend to prefer open endings that leave some things to the imagination of the reader, but this is not a must-have.

Having said that, it all also hinges on what one defines as a happy ending. For instance, I have written one still unpublished semi-autobiographic 38K words story called "Dedication" that ends with a single-sentence paragraph that just says: "Things were fully all right at last." That sure sounds like a happy ending... And to me, as one of the main characters, it most definitely is exactly that. To 99.9% of the "we demand a happy ending" crowd, however, it most definitely would not be. This story elaborates on very some dark fantasies that I have, combined with the unwavering dedication that two close friends have towards each other (to the point of considering themselves twin brothers) and that overcomes the worst events that are forced onto them.

 

[Trionyx]

Another example of a sad ending. Great literature it isn’t, but it is one which has trickled through my mind more and more as I tack on a few more years.
You Were Always on My Mind - 750 Words

 

[Candy_Kane54]

The first two stories I wrote ended badly for one of the main characters but have been rated at 4.8 or better from day one. They were written as two parts of an overall arc of stories that ends with the ultimate HEA.

 

[StillStunned]

Remember, kids: a fairy tale ending is actually very bad for about half the characters.

 

[Ssbbw4u1974]

I write stories that are sometimes barely 800 words.. some 1.3k at most.

They're usually very smutty, and I believe everyone has a happy ending.
The reason is because one of my kinks is watching people having orgasms. So writing about the build up, and the experiences arouse me..

 

[Plathfan]

I think there’s something sexy in sadness, in its vulnerability (the epic sex scene from Monster’s Ball comes to mind). There’s an uplifting, almost holy quality to it that resonates deeply with the very core of existence. Yet, dealing with such emotions stoically is the hallmark of mental maturity and strength—a trait, sadly, not many possess.

Only the strong can allow themselves to be vulnerable.

Kids? Let them choke on their candies!

 

[TheRedChamber]

Remember, kids: a fairy tale ending is actually very bad for about half the characters.

Not sure if this comment is expressing sympathy for villains who get theirs or if it's a crack about how marriage is a bad deal for one or other of the genders - take your pick...

While we're on the subject, I'd just like to point out how sexist Snow White is for reinforcing toxic notions of desirability. Snow White meets eight men during her adventure. Who does she marry?