Writing Happy-sad endings?

[John_Owl]

How does everyone feel about sad endings with happy undertones? Both from a writing and reading perspective. I just wrote the final chapter for my 4-part witch story. chapters 1-3 focused on fleshing out their relationship. Chapter 4 saw them marry, then the end... 80 years of life together, and they died together.

With her being an immortal witch, I kinda looked into immortality not as a blessing, but as a curse. Watching everyone you've ever known and loved die. She could only be killed by the hand of someone who genuinely loved her. and so... The MC had to stab her to grant the one thing she's wanted since she became immortal. It was as an old man, in their shared home, on his death bed. It's not painted as a tragedy, but as the culmination of a life well lived.

Second question: How would you feel about 2 lines after that, showing them in the afterlife, leaving no doubt that it was indeed entirely a happy situation? would that cheapen it at all or would it set your heart at ease?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

You mean bittersweet endings?

 

[John_Owl]

You mean bittersweet endings?

yes, thank you. My brain isn't functioning properly right now. for some reason, I just couldn't find that word.

 

[Tsuru]

How does everyone feel about sad endings with happy undertones? Both from a writing and reading perspective. I just wrote the final chapter for my 4-part witch story. chapters 1-3 focused on fleshing out their relationship. Chapter 4 saw them marry, then the end... 80 years of life together, and they died together.

With her being an immortal witch, I kinda looked into immortality not as a blessing, but as a curse. Watching everyone you've ever known and loved die. She could only be killed by the hand of someone who genuinely loved her. and so... The MC had to stab her to grant the one thing she's wanted since she became immortal. It was as an old man, in their shared home, on his death bed. It's not painted as a tragedy, but as the culmination of a life well lived.

Second question: How would you feel about 2 lines after that, showing them in the afterlife, leaving no doubt that it was indeed entirely a happy situation? would that cheapen it at all or would it set your heart at ease?

Maeda Jun : "DID SOMEONE SAY HAPPY-SAD ENDINGS ?"

 

[RepresentingWrath]

yes, thank you. My brain isn't functioning properly right now. for some reason, I just couldn't find that word.

Don't worry.

How do I feel about bittersweet endings. It depends. Sometimes they fit a story to a tee, and sometimes they are there because the author was afraid of pulling the trigger. In other words, they are the same as sad or happy endings. Sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad.

About second question. I think depending on how you write it, it turns into a happy ending smoothly. Does it cheapens the ending? If you were aiming at bittersweet all this time, probably. Depends on overall tone, foreshadowings, etc.

 

[John_Owl]

Maeda Jun : "DID SOMEONE SAY HAPPY-SAD ENDINGS ?"

I haven't actually seen those lol. I've seen a couple episodes from Clannad, but that's it. I'd liken mine more to Angel Beats, however. If it had ended with a romeo-juliet-esque double murder. (i know the play was a double S-cide, but still).

 

[LilRora]

Depending on the execution and most importantly on the reader, they can just as easily be horrible or amazing. There's a fucking masterwork manga I know (Beauty and the Beast Girl) (god damn I tore up just now) that I think is genuinely one of the best stories I have ever read, and it has a really bittersweet ending (also with a twist regarding immortality or extreme longevity, why I was reminded of it).

The thing is that depending on personal values and likes, a story with that kind of ending can easily hit almost like a betrayal, when a character you've rooted for goes and dies (*dramatic effect*). I've had that too.

In regards to the second, I think it's pretty obvious with the above in mind that I can't answer this question straight. What I want to say, though, is that if you're planning a bittersweet ending, do NOT add anything past it. Do the whole ending you want to do, and end it. If an afterlife scene is part of that ending, sure, go for it; if it's not though, don't add it artificially.

 

[John_Owl]

Don't worry.

How do I feel about bittersweet endings. It depends. Sometimes they fit a story to a tee, and sometimes they are there because the author was afraid of pulling the trigger. In other words, they are the same as sad or happy endings. Sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad.

About second question. I think depending on how you write it, it turns into a happy ending smoothly. Does it cheapens the ending? If you were aiming at bittersweet all this time, probably. Depends on overall tone, foreshadowings, etc.

not much foreshadowing was done. Chapters 1 was mostly present, 2 and 3 was mostly showing their history through the lens of their modern relationship, but 2 hinted at him being the one that could "release" her from her curse. and now 4 is wrapping it up.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

not much foreshadowing was done. Chapters 1 was mostly present, 2 and 3 was mostly showing their history through the lens of their modern relationship, but 2 hinted at him being the one that could "release" her from her curse. and now 4 is wrapping it up.

I think you can change it to happy ending. No need to force bittersweet ending if it doesn't fit.

 

[John_Owl]

Depending on the execution and most importantly on the reader, they can just as easily be horrible or amazing. There's a fucking masterwork manga I know (Beauty and the Beast Girl) (god damn I tore up just now) that I think is genuinely one of the best stories I have ever read, and it has a really bittersweet ending (also with a twist regarding immortality or extreme longevity, why I was reminded of it).

The thing is that depending on personal values and likes, a story with that kind of ending can easily hit almost like a betrayal, when a character you've rooted for goes and dies (*dramatic effect*). I've had that too.

In regards to the second, I think it's pretty obvious with the above in mind that I can't answer this question straight. What I want to say, though, is that if you're planning a bittersweet ending, do NOT add anything past it. Do the whole ending you want to do, and end it. If an afterlife scene is part of that ending, sure, go for it; if it's not though, don't add it artificially.

Well, I'll see how it goes when it goes live tomorrow. I have another one going live today, so I didn't want to rob my main story of readers by launching a side story's chapter ahead of it.

And I'll have to check that one out.

 

[Tsuru]

I haven't actually seen those lol. I've seen a couple episodes from Clannad, but that's it. I'd liken mine more to Angel Beats, however. If it had ended with a romeo-juliet-esque double murder. (i know the play was a double S-cide, but still).

Read Hibiki magic, the left side manga.

 

[John_Owl]

I think you can change it to happy ending. No need to force bittersweet ending if it doesn't fit.

it fits. It was always intended that he'd have to be the one to end her life to end her immortality. But most of my stories end happily, so having one that ends on a sad or bittersweet note is a bit different from my normal.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

it fits. It was always intended that he'd have to be the one to end her life to end her immortality. But most of my stories end happily, so having one that ends on a sad or bittersweet note is a bit different from my normal.

Yes, but ending her life doesn't necesserily mean it is bittersweet or sad. You said it yourself, only those who love her can do it. It sounds either happy or bittersweet, but it is only bittersweet if you do all the foreshadowings and set the tone right. If not, go straight into their happily ever after afterlife. That's my opinion.

 

[John_Owl]

Yes, but ending her life doesn't necesserily mean it is bittersweet or sad. You said it yourself, only those who love her can do it. It sounds either happy or bittersweet, but it is only bittersweet if you do all the foreshadowings and set the tone right. If not, go straight into their happily ever after afterlife. That's my opinion.

hmm... that's a good point. maybe it only felt bittersweet to me because I used a scene transition between their wedding and their final night. He carried her, in her wedding dress, across the threshold into their home -Scene break- he's carrying her across the threshold 80 years into a happily married life.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

hmm... that's a good point. maybe it only felt bittersweet to me because I used a scene transition between their wedding and their final night. He carried her, in her wedding dress, across the threshold into their home -Scene break- he's carrying her across the threshold 80 years into a happily married life.

I saw some short manga, like 2-4 pages long that had the same theme. It was something about witches gathering, anthology of short stories. I recommend you to read it. It's really short, and you will be surprised how we can percieve a similar situation in a different ways if you change the tone.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

How does everyone feel about sad endings with happy undertones? Both from a writing and reading perspective. I just wrote the final chapter for my 4-part witch story. chapters 1-3 focused on fleshing out their relationship. Chapter 4 saw them marry, then the end... 80 years of life together, and they died together.

With her being an immortal witch, I kinda looked into immortality not as a blessing, but as a curse. Watching everyone you've ever known and loved die. She could only be killed by the hand of someone who genuinely loved her. and so... The MC had to stab her to grant the one thing she's wanted since she became immortal. It was as an old man, in their shared home, on his death bed. It's not painted as a tragedy, but as the culmination of a life well lived.

Second question: How would you feel about 2 lines after that, showing them in the afterlife, leaving no doubt that it was indeed entirely a happy situation? would that cheapen it at all or would it set your heart at ease?

I feel it would set my heart at ease. Because it would let me know that they weren't separated by death.

Also, the worst part of most immortality is being an immortal on your lonesome. In the afterlife, you would be with everyone you've ever known and loved. They would be immortal too. So in a way, her immortality had, for the longest time, only served the benefit of keeping her away from those she wanted to be with, dangling her fellow immortals just out of reach in the world beneath.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

hmm... that's a good point. maybe it only felt bittersweet to me because I used a scene transition between their wedding and their final night. He carried her, in her wedding dress, across the threshold into their home -Scene break- he's carrying her across the threshold 80 years into a happily married life.

Let's Meet at the Witches' Gathering - MangaDex

Unofficial compilation of...

mangadex.org

 

[John_Owl]

Let's Meet at the Witches' Gathering - MangaDex

Unofficial compilation of...

mangadex.org

much appreciated! I'll check it out!

 

[CharlesEBrown]

It honestly depends on how attached I am to the characters, and how it is written. Showing the afterlife would kind of cheapen it for me, though, as it shows she really has an immortal soul, so the sacrifice meant nothing.

In general, I prefer them if there is a "next part" likely, where we'll have a relatively happy ending despite the semi-tragic "bittersweet" one.

 

[Gray_Mann]

Maeda Jun : "DID SOMEONE SAY HAPPY-SAD ENDINGS ?"

The only one I've watched is Charlotte....and I don't remember the ending.