Reading Reaction Question

[Eido]

When I read a bdsm or other kink story with a happy ending, and I mean that literally, not as code for orgasm, my mind immediately leaps to thoughts of how it could have, should have, ended unhappily for all concerned.

Any of you have similar reactions?  What is your usual reaction to reading a bdsm story?

Thanks,
Eido

[ElectroPainLover]

Great question Eido.

I tend to enjoy both spectrums of the endings. However, I am not much of a fan of forced lifetime slavery. When the story is too futile, it gives me a strange feeling of dread. Not much different than a futilistic ending to a movie. Sometimes there just needs to be resolve for it to conclude on. However, one of my favorite horror movies "Cabin in the Woods" does not end nicely. Also, several of my favorite author's, Stephen King, do not end well, either for the world in general or the protagonist(s).

I guess it more depends on my mood and how much I bond with the characters during the story or movie. However, I tend to fall towards a positive-outcome with regard to life, liberty, and happiness.

Dana

[loras pa6]

While I may end parts of my stories on a sad note or with an unresolved cliffhanger, I tend to prefer the Happier ending at the finale of the story arc.

That being said, one of my favorite story series here at the Plaza (Richard Alexander's Monica Series) ends in a very heartbreaking way, and I still loved the ending.

[jackierabbit1]

I think I like an unexpected ending, as in the be careful what you wish for, you might get it irony. Having said that there is also a comfort in having things turn out well for the character you identify with as a reader, or even not so well for the one you loathe. I have tried to twist that around with some of my stories, in more than one the main character ending up on permanent display, and in some others two endings for the reader to choose from, somewhat happy ending or alternate dark ending.

A happy ending after all might leave a submissive husband who only wished to experiment with a female lead/cuckold relationship permanently in that role, the ending not exactly what he might have envisioned when wishing to spice up his sex life, but entirely happy for the wife and her new man.

Best wishes, Jackie.

[Steve Spandex]

For me, the best stories are those that are open ended, and allow the reader to make their own conclusion as to what happens next.  Does it all end happily or not? Does she manage to get free, is she rescued, or does a life of interminable bondage beckon? Let the reader decide. That way everyone gets the ending they want.  Win/win situation.

Steve

[MaxRoper]

What Steve says. I like an open-ended conclusion (and often use that ploy myself). I'm not a fan of unhappy endings.

Max

[Rubberh]

Open-ended stories always allow for sequels. Now a few of my stories may not have happy endings, but it can depend on whose ending turns out happy.

[Asphyx]

It would be nice if every story had a happy ending. Unfortunately not everything in life turns out that way. I'm sure we've all had some experience of how something can go wrong, no matter how hard we try to plan otherwise. Unhappy endings are a part of life and sometimes, however we try, they still happen. For me,if the logical conclusion to a story isn't what you would like, it doesn't matter. That's how life is.
                Adam.

[nyenor]

I tend to agree that I also prefer the 'open ending' stories. This is for two reasons. Firstly, as others have commented, it leaves the possibility of a sequel open, while secondly, it leaves the reader with the option to make their own conclusion as to what happens.

[Lobo De la Sombra]

I also prefer stories to be at least somewhat open-ended, both in reading and in writing them.  Although, come to think of it, all stories are really open-ended to some extent, in that it's always possible to imagine what might happen after.  Some stories just tend to encourage that kind of imagining more than others, and those are the ones I prefer.

[AmyAmy]

Is how a story ends all that important? If the end fits the rest of it, then I'm happy.
If the story is good as a whole, I'm happy.
If the end doesn't match the rest, then it doesn't matter what the end is, it might be annoying, but if the rest was good, I'll probably forgive the ending being a bit odd anyway.

If the start, or middle is not great, I'm not so likely to get to the end at all.

In Hollywood movies, there have been cycles of fashion for ending styles. Some years downbeat endings were in vogue, other years it had to be a happy ending. The social climate is blamed, in the case of movies.

Do plaza stories also follow a fashion? Or, is ending dictated by sub-genre?

I think, largely the latter. If you know the sub-genres well enough, you'll see that the ones that fit the pattern have the expected ending, whether that's up, down, weird, twisted, dangling, or whatever.