Is It Mandatory for Every Tale to Conclude with a Positive Outcome?
In the realm of storytelling, the ending often makes or breaks a narrative. But what if the story doesn't end happily? According to Allison Maruska, a guest contributor who often posts with her humor blog roots, such endings can be just as engaging, if not more so.
Maintaining suspense and reader engagement is crucial, and sometimes, a happy ending can reduce that suspense, making the story less engaging. This is a lesson that can be learned from the author of "Drake and the Fliers," who surprised a reader with a happier ending, having previously written stories with unhappy endings.
However, not all stories have a solution, a clear resolution to the central conflict. Some stories may leave readers with feelings like sadness, frustration, or disappointment. The author of "Reason to Breathe" by Rebecca Donovan, for instance, wrote a story with a shocking ending that fit the story perfectly but received negative reviews due to the unhappy ending.
On the other hand, the solution in a story provides answers to the tension or challenge, often evoking relief, satisfaction, or sometimes disappointment depending on the nature of the outcome. The author of "The Fourth Descendant" wrote a story with an unhappy ending that received negative feedback from some readers.
The movie "Stranger Than Fiction" serves as an excellent example of this point. The main character, Harold Crick, an OCD-leaning accountant with the IRS, is also the main character of a novel being written about him. He can hear the author's voice in his head as she narrates his actions and provides him with his internal monologue. When Harold figures out what's happening and tracks down the author, he learns his story - the story she's writing about him - doesn't end well.
Stories, as we know, consist of elements like characters, settings, problems, and solutions. If every story ended well, there would be no real suspense in any story. It's beneficial for authors not to lock themselves into the same kind of ending for every story to maintain suspense and engagement.
Allison Maruska also includes posts about teaching and writing specifically. She believes that by not always providing a happy ending, authors can create a more profound impact on their readers, making the story resonate with them emotionally and intellectually. The conclusion, the broader wrapping up of the story, shapes the lasting impression by addressing the broader meaning, implications, or lessons learned. It can encourage reflection, reinforce themes, or leave open questions, thus influencing the reader's final emotional and intellectual engagement.
In conclusion, the solution in a story provides the 'what happens,' while the conclusion answers 'why it matters' or 'what it means.' By understanding this, authors can craft stories that engage readers on a deeper level, keeping them guessing until the very end.
- Beta readers might find uncertainty over the ending of a story more captivating than a predictable happy ending.
- In the fashion-and-beauty world, authors could challenge conventional ideas by crafting narratives with unconventional, thought-provoking conclusions.
- Unhappy endings can spark conversations about relationships, encouraging readers to ponder the complexities of human interactions.
- A writer planning a narrative about travel experiences might consider composing a story that leaves readers reflecting on the significance of their personal journeys, rather than offering a tidy resolution.
