By Karen Reid, Associate Editor, Harlequin Superromance
We all want a happy ending in a romance story—or as I prefer to say, a happy beginning! But when do you end with a Happily Ever After (HEA) and when do you go with a Happily For Now (HFN)? My quick answer is that it all depends on what is right for your story. And believe it or not, wedding bells and rides into the sunset aren’t the best ending for every book. And that is okay!
Happy Endings are the business that we’re in, so we all take it very seriously! But not every sweet resolution has to look the same way. Sometimes the promise of a new, better beginning for now is more satisfying for the reader than a ring on the finger and the promise of forever.
My general rule is to give your couple the happy ending/beginning that is right for them and for their story at that time. This, of course, can come in many forms. For example, what if our heroine has had such a traumatic past that simply trusting someone enough to say the words “I love you” is a big deal? In this case, a walk down the aisle at the end of our story would be too much for our happy couple at this point in their journey. Or perhaps your hero has lost his wife, and is completely focused on raising his young son. For this hero, even starting to date the woman who has taught him that it’s okay to open his heart again would be the most romantic HFN that you could offer your reader.
You might be thinking “But a romantic wedding is what my readers have told me they ultimately want at the end of a romance.” While this could be what you’re hearing, and it might be what they think they want, it’s not always what they truly need. And a well-written story, in which the characters have developed and grown, and their arcs have taken their fated turns, will give the reader the best and most fulfilling ending, with or without wedding bells—I promise!
Yet there are definitely times when HEA is the best ending for your story. Perhaps your heroine is a woman who’s never had a family of her own until she meets our single dad and falls for him and his young family. In this situation, a marriage proposal would be the greatest expression of love and acceptance that our heroine could ask for…and it would, therefore, be exactly what she needed. And, personally, I love it when two people who were previously against “tying the knot” find that they can’t get to the altar fast enough! Super romantic!
So, to wrap it up, I think it’s key to be honest with yourself about what is right for your hero and heroine—HEA or HFN. And as long as you listen to what they need, then you will give your reader the Happy Ending/Beginning that they want!
Happy Writing.
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4 replies on “Romantic Endings: Happy For Now or Happily Ever After?”
If I write a HFN should I write a follow up story with a HEA? Or am I dragging out the couple’s story too much?
Hi, Liia,
No, I don’t think a follow-up story is necessary for a HFN romance. I actually believe it’s kind of nice to leave that HEA to the readers’ imaginations. Though sometimes it is fun to see our happy couple as secondary characters in another (slightly connected) story, just to catch up with them 🙂 .
Thanks for your great question!
Karen
Wonderful, informative article, Karen! A road map of sorts for how best to help one’s H/h to gel better with their story’s end. Such practical advice. Thanks! 🙂
I was really glad to read this because I struggling with the concept tying my story up with too big of a bow. Thank you for the advice.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!