Question for the Ladies - sorry gents!

Star · Sep 19, 2007

Greetings fellow scribettes,

The novel I'm working on isn't a romance, but there is a love interest involved. The thrust of the novel deals with the self-acceptance/improvement/realization of my protagonist, "Sue" and not the fact that she finds a good man in the end. My Mom says my protagonist should be offered a marriage proposal by the book's end. (The original story ended this way, but now I want to change the focus.) So the question is:

Would you find it frustrating if I have the two lovebirds meet at the end of the book and the male, "Tom" asks Sue, "Can we start over?" She agrees and they walk off into the sunset. OR, do you think it's only right for me to show a snippet of their budding relationship?

Just a bit more background. Tom and Sue started off as friends. Sue was not interested in taking it further because Tom was broke and "not on her level." Meanwhile, Sue had her own demons to face. In the end, Sue gets it together, but Tom is long gone. They bump into each with both their acts together and I feel it's UNDERSTOOD that there's a happy ending...or, is that just not enough for a woman reader's sensibilities? Please advise!

DeleyanLee · Sep 19, 2007

What you're talking about is pure Women's Fiction and totally fine, kosher and wonderful. No need for a marriage proposal, no need for anything but the reader feeling she firmly knows where in Sue's life Tom fits right now, maybe in the future, and that's very satisfying for that kind of novel.

Hey, you don't even need marriage proposals at the ends of many Genre Romances anymore to have the HEA. *shrug*

Bubastes · Sep 19, 2007

I prefer the "Can we start over?" option, but that's just me. I like it because Sue's second chance with Tom is a happy ending in itself, especially since both of them are mature enough to handle the relationship correctly this time.

I personally don't like marriage proposals as endings because to me, marriage is a new beginning, not an end goal. I don't know, I'm just weird that way.

CaroGirl · Sep 19, 2007

Sounds fine to me but what do I know.

Why would marriage make for a happy ending anyway? <just kidding. I'm (mostly) happily married>

sneakers145 · Sep 19, 2007

No need for a marriage proposal, IMO, either.

WendyNYC · Sep 19, 2007

DeleyanLee said:
What you're talking about is pure Women's Fiction and totally fine, kosher and wonderful. No need for a marriage proposal, no need for anything but the reader feeling she firmly knows where in Sue's life Tom fits right now, maybe in the future, and that's very satisfying for that kind of novel.

Hey, you don't even need marriage proposals at the ends of many Genre Romances anymore to have the HEA. *shrug*

I agree. As long as it's understood that there is a spark of hope for them, I don't need the tidy ending.

Sassee · Sep 19, 2007

Agree with first two posters. Do what feels natural for your characters - a marriage proposal is not necessary.

preyer · Sep 19, 2007

yar, ye needs not be a female t'write matters of the heart, matey! tis a writerly question ye be askin', not a genderly query. hard t'say which ending needs walk the plank without readin' this tome o' yers. it be me limited experience t'say sailin' off into th' sunset with th' wind at yer back be the better path, lubber, at least in ye usual tale of courtship, yet ye ain't got that here, do ye? what ye gots here be an entirely new courtship *at the end of th' tome*, therefore mayhaps yer best bet is the implication course, so says i.

dolores haze · Sep 19, 2007

Many romance readers want their "happy ever afters" tied up with a big, red bow at the end (like your mom, for instance). Others are OK with the "happy for now" ending, which is highly optimistic, but no big red bow. Women's fiction can end happily or unhappily. If your book is more about an individual woman's growth than it is about the romance, then it's probably women's fiction.
Personally? I'll accept any ending as long as a book is well written.
Good luck. Hope this was helpful.

Cranky · Sep 19, 2007

I think it could work perfectly without a marriage proposal.

I actually really like the idea of "can we start over". Seems much more realistic than, "Hey, there, Sue/Tom. I finally got my poop in a group! Wanna get hitched?"

jodiodi · Sep 19, 2007

If it's not a romance, it doesn't even need the HEA ending. Have the characters do what comes naturally.

My buck-fifty.

Leigh Walker · Sep 19, 2007

I like the "let's start over ending." Personally, I disagree with the long held societal belief that "the proposal" is the happy ending that all women want. It sounds like the point of your book was about her personal growth and the starting over ending seems to highlight that. IMO (and of course with a grain of salt since I havent read it), tying it all up with a marriage proposal may minimize the change in your character.

Leigh

Star · Sep 19, 2007

Ladies (and pirate?),

Thanks so much for your input!
You're right. Fairy tales are for fictional characters. I want to bestow my character with the gift of "real life."

"Can we start over?" Is the :hooray:

winner!!!

DamaNegra · Sep 19, 2007

I'd love to have the "Can we start over?" line but only if you do not give Sue's response. Just leave it there. Yeah, that sounds great

ChaosTitan · Sep 19, 2007

I'm with the majority. Good luck with the new book.

Kate Thornton · Sep 19, 2007

Argh. Ye be wantin' to start over - no golden ring necessary!

sunandshadow · Sep 19, 2007

Write it both ways and run the two versions by some beta readers.

FennelGiraffe · Sep 19, 2007

The ending should answer the question posed by the primary storyline. A traditional Romance needs a wedding (or at least a proposal) and an HEA. A story of self-discovery doesn't, even if a romance is one of the subplots.

Star · Sep 19, 2007

Hold on. Let me put on my sunglasses. You guys are so bright.

sneakers145 · Sep 19, 2007

Kate Thornton said:
Argh. Ye be wantin' to start over - no golden ring necessary!

Okay, so somebody is taking Talk Like a Pirate Day seriously.

jennifer75 · Sep 19, 2007

Star said:
Would you find it frustrating if I have the two lovebirds meet at the end of the book and the male, "Tom" asks Sue, "Can we start over?" She agrees and they walk off into the sunset.

I think this can totally work. If we are led to believe in the final pages that Sue and Tom are clicking finally on all levels, walking off together without saying what the inevitable is, I'd be satisfied.

AND it makes a follow up that much easier for you to start.

Maybe Tom Jr. come into the picture along with a sexy gardener. Hmmmmm...what do ya say to that???

JoNightshade · Sep 19, 2007

I too cast my vote for "starting over." I love endings like that because I feel like the possibilities are endless. If it's just "will you marry me?" then I think, "Oh, they're going to settle down and have kids."

jennifer75 · Sep 19, 2007

JoNightshade said:
I too cast my vote for "starting over." I love endings like that because I feel like the possibilities are endless. If it's just "will you marry me?" then I think, "Oh, they're going to settle down and have kids."

Yes, but there is still room for a hunky gardener.

Prawn · Sep 19, 2007

Sorry to break the gender barrier by replying, but as a man, I would like to see more sex and violence in my romance novels.

No, seriously, I think it would show how strong she was and how far she had come at the end of the book if she meets him and then realizes that she doesn't need to marry him to be whole.

Star · Sep 19, 2007

Prawn, you said it: "Whole." Yep, you can't wait for a man to complete you.
And since you're so on point, I won't let the ladies flog you for stepping inside without an invite.

Question for the Ladies - sorry gents!

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