Story frustration.

[Phantom300]

I have a story I am working on, destined for the EC section. I'm about 26-7K words in, and I find myself stuck between two possible endings, different partners for the MC to end up with.

Usually when I write, I start with a scene or image in my head and the rest of is all just improvised/off the top of my head. I often have no idea where the muses will take me.

This time, they've taken me past the scene in my head and crafted what I think is a nice little love story... but where the MC is with two different people at different times. Things come to a confrontation, and in the long run, MC has to choose.

I want to keep a sense of reality, so a sudden orgy or threesome or swapping/sharing, nothing like that would really fit. Another compounding issue: the 2 options are related... although there is no hint or mention or possibility of incest in the story and I am determined to keep it that way.

I feel like I've spent most of the story building up option A, when I my head, B is the better romantic conclusion. I could definitely go A though, as their story is more interesting, especially at first.

Maybe I could make it a "Choose your own adventure" thing and have a quick ending for each? Then that seems dumb & a lot more work when I think about it too long.

I'm tempted to ask someone to beta read, but I'm a long way from a polished product (even for me) There are parts I have just rushed through, and haven't yet gone back to expand on them & add better descriptions and more depth, but then, I want this to be my story, and not be influenced.

AAAHHHHHHHH!

/frustrated rant.

 

[NotWise]

You need to decide for yourself which ending to use. Sorry can't help you there.

Don't go back and edit or expand on the text you've glossed over until you picked the ending. Then when you do the edits/expansions, add enough detail so the MC's eventual decision doesn't blindside your readers.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Keep writing, and let your characters decide, all in their own good time. This tells me you haven't written enough yet.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I would write both endings, then read them both over and see which one you like better.

 

[SimonDoom]

What an interesting predicament. This hasn't happened to me yet. Here's my advice, which, keep in mind, counts for absolutely nothing. Don't write for your audience. Write for yourself. Which ending satisfies YOU more? For whatever reason. Which ending makes the story more interesting?

 

[Phantom300]

Appreciate the comments. I was really more venting than anything else. I hadn't found myself with this dilemma before.

I think I could truly re-write the story without either of the options and still have a solid story that people enjoy.

Sound advice all around. But I think Simon nailed it.

..... Don't write for your audience. Write for yourself. Which ending satisfies YOU more? .....

I think I'm sticking with the one that made sense to me to start, even if a compelling case could be made the other is a better story.

Many thanks all around for listening to me whine. Gonna crack on a bit tonight as see where the muses take me.

 

[Djmac1031]

I have absolutely been there. In fact, I'm there now with a story I just can't quite decide the ending for.

It's the first time I've asked another author to read what I have so far and get feedback.

I've walked away from it for a bit, waiting for him to get back to me when he has the time.

Nothing wrong with soliciting others opinions, in my view.

But as others have pointed out, ultimately it will come down to your choice on what you think is best.

No one else can make that choice for you.

 

[AlinaX]

Maybe I could make it a "Choose your own adventure" thing and have a quick ending for each? Then that seems dumb & a lot more work when I think about it too long.

I'm finding that a lot, trying to write interactive fiction. To make it a satisfying story, you need multiple endings, and after a while it gets creatively draining to go, "Okay, if this, and this, and this, but not that, or that, then... how to end the story?"

 

[Djmac1031]

I've never been a fan of "Choose your own ending." What if I hate BOTH endings?

Tell me your story. If I don’t like the end, I'll make up my own in my head .

 

[Bazzle]

I wrote 5 different endings to this story https://literotica.com/s/life-decisions-laura-4-years-later
Yes its fetish, yes noone likes it. Yes its strange, yes its badly written.
I called the story Life decisions, because through life you make different decisions every day, some work out, some dont.

 

[ronde]

This is just an observation, but if you read much best selling commercial fiction, it becomes pretty obvious that the author started at the ending, not at the beginning. I find it much easier to write by deciding upon where I want the story to end. Knowing the end lets me set up the characters and plot to take those characters from their introduction to how they react to each other during the plot, and finally to the end I had in mind. There have been times when I was writing and decided a different ending fit better, but that was because the characters decided to take the story in a different direction. Either way, that's why in best sellers, the characters always act as they do and ultimately reach a believable ending.

 

[KeithD]

Well, sure, every single author of commercial fiction approaches writing in only one way. Well, sure, sure.

 

[Seadog777]

I'm right there with you.
I'm SERIOUSLY struggling with how to end "My Sneaky Wife Jennifer".
It happens to us all.

 

[PastMaster]

Keep writing, and let your characters decide, all in their own good time. This tells me you haven't written enough yet.

I love this concept - and the more I write - the more I'm discovering the truth of it.

 

[AlexBailey]

I’ve got four stories started, 5-10k words in, that I can’t get myself to finish. I haven’t had the time or space to really sit and work on them for more than an hour here or there so I just haven’t hit the groove for a while.

 

[NoTalentHack]

I’ve got four stories started, 5-10k words in, that I can’t get myself to finish. I haven’t had the time or space to really sit and work on them for more than an hour here or there so I just haven’t hit the groove for a while.

That happens, unfortunately. I’ve got like 6 of them in that status and I’ve finally gotten off dead center on one of them. Plus, I’ve committed to doing all of the contests and events for the rest of the year, so having those deadlines is helping me prioritize.