I should also point out that my most viewed, voted and commented-on story ends with a sort of cliffhanger. I think I followed it up with part 2 fairly quickly, but still, the cliffhanger didn't seem to deter folks, if that's a worry.
I don't think a breakup is that tragic, if it is done as a means to carry over to the next chapter. A lot of writers write multiple part stories (I don't) and although I don't read them, I'd think they'd have to have some type of cliff hanger. But as the others said, write what you like. There's no way of knowing how many people will like it, no matter which way you go. Two of my personal favorites of the stories I've published have had the lowest readership. I have no idea why they didn't attract readers. If you're interested, they are: Shackles and Kisses and An Aegean Vacation.
The first piece of advice a lush writer gave me was "readers don't like unhappy endings." I was very grateful for the advice but I've found it to be the opposite. I write poetry mostly because that's what I prefer and I find it much easier to write.
Some of the most popular poems I've written were. Dark, sad, heartbreak, anger loss etc. readers tell me it's because I make them "feel" some type of emotion which is great because that's what I try to do. I love it when I make people cry. For me it's a huge compliment.
My point is, write what comes to you and write it how you feel it. You can still write an erotic/story poem no matter what type of ending you give it. If it's happy, sad, funny or tragic there's going to be at least a few people who like it. Life would be boring if we all liked the same things.
For me....if a writer can write a story that keeps me engaged....it doesn't matter what the story line is.
There are stories here that may not be written from the more popular writers that keep me very entertained. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
I say do whatever you like. A cliff hanger or a tragic detail is always enjoyable...however...make sure you write your story close to the other one. If you wait to long....YOU WILL lose readers. They will forget what the cliff hanger or tragic detail was.
I look forward to reading your story and seeing what way you decided to go.
Good luck and happy writing...
Hugs,
Mysteria
xo
As a reader, I prefer a strong dose of reality in a story. I prefer that the writer aim for unique characters and therefore unique storylines. In reality, even the best, most romantic circumstances have bad outcomes sometimes. Be true to your story and don't subjugate your creative self to the reader. The last thing you want is a story that is predictable after just the first few paragraphs. Love isn't always neatly packaged, and that genre should reflect that. "Your" audience will find you if you are consistently yourself and not constantly shifting in pursuit of popularity. Concentrate on the needs of the story.
Just write a great ending, whether it is tragic, happy, a cliffhanger, or a twist. If all stories had happy endings that would be boring as hell. Be creative and write an ending that makes the story.
In one of my writing classes, the professor told us, "The ending doesn't have to be expected, but it should be inevitable."
I always took that to mean, don't force it. If you have a cheerful tone and cheerful characters, you need to carefully set up a sad ending. If you don't, it will look gimmicky, at best.
Not everything has a pollyanna ending. Real life doesn't have happy ever after. If you write for realism then not every girl has double D and the guys are not hung like Godzilla.
I understand this is an erotic fantasy site that caters to things real life can't provide. Who wants to read a story that smacks of reality? You get that looking in the mirror. But... If a story is written well and leaves the reader to ponder the consequences of their behavior but still maintains an erotic flavor, then bravo, you are now an author.
I feel they are the best type of ending because they are the most realistic. Life does not normally produce happy endings, so the fact that every story should have one is incredibly false.
Someone has to be the Villain
Your question reminds of the ending of a movie... "Against All Odds"... Where you have this beautiful love story and in the end it is still not meant to be, either by one or both characters choice... A story where you could have that last night of lovemaking with one or both knowing it is the last time... The beauty, the passion, the anguish... So many emotions rolling through... As long as your story explains or leads the reader to understand the why, it will work... Good luck with it! (Now I have to follow you to read it when your done ;) haha!
characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent
Intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous
vehement; fierce burning, fiery, or hot
As an avid reader I find there are far too many stories that are never finished leaving the reader "hanging". Life has enough difficulties without having to read about unhappiness and disappointing endings.
It seems Shakespeare pulled it off quite well. For me I like a happy ending. I can do without the great American tragedy.
Happy endings tend to promote some to re-read the story, occasionally.
Although I've read some great stories, the ones with unhappy endings will not get re-read (by me).
I just do not want to go through the heartbreak again.
I like stories I can believe and enjoy as each story unfolds, regardless of the ending. Life doesn't always have happy endings.
If we want only feel good endings then we will have to declare this site to be utterly "therapeutic." No writer should have that restriction.
But obviously, from the sound of things, a lot of people may be coming here for therapeutic, not erotic reasons.
But even the best orgasms can have some "pain" or strain.
"FOLLOW YOUR BLISS!" [Joseph Campbell]
When I first joined Lush, I came across a series called Wife in Bondage. Sadly, the series and the author have long since left Lush and as far as I know he has not reposted what in my opinion was a great story. He ended it with a less than "happy-ending" that left an open ending and at first spun me. However, it was this ending that made me want more. I found that the ending was exactly what the story had foreshadowed and was nothing shy of a perfect fit. I did ask him if he was going to continue it and he had said he was... then one day he and his amazing story was gone. I have "ended" the story since then but I don't know if what I came up with is even close to what his ending would have been.
Tragic or unhappy endings are part of real life and sometimes, they must be written as such. A well written tragic or unhappy ending will be embraced and accepted. I'm sure your story will do great.
kinda / sorta maybe like going to a massage spa and getting a "HAPPY ENDING"
