Just wondering what other people’s preference is. I also know some people go for the in between, the bittersweet endings.
I’ll be frank, I hate sad endings. I appreciate why some people like them though. It can often seem the most realistic goal when everything has been considered. For me though, when I read, I become utterly invested in these characters. I love, hurt and feel along with them. So, when their struggle ends up for naught for them personally, I feel cheated and downtrodden even if it does have a good impact on the overall world.
Bittersweet endings are hard for me because they REALLY have to be done well. I think LOTR is the only one I can get behind. The Mutant Apocalypse of the 2012 TMNT series just doesn’t do it for me. It made their struggles and growth seem pointless. A bittersweet ending should still have hope and purpose behind it. If I feel the sadness and loss outweigh the good, I’m not going to feel satisfied.
So I’m all for the happy ending. Now, that doesn’t mean it comes easy. Most of my stories ar deep struggles full of difficulty and strife. People hurt and cry and change but ultimately I follow Don Bluth’s philosophy: “People can handle just about anything as long as you attach a happy ending.” Fiction is escapism for me. I want to see good win and people triumph.
If I want sad, I’ll go watch the news. Now does this mean I NEVER write a sad ending? Well, no, I have on occasion but as a general rule if I can make it happy, I’ll make it happy. Hence my love of utilizing AU in fanfiction. It leaves the original version in tact but allows me to play in a sandbox where a different ending panned out.
As for open endings? Again, kind of like bittersweet endings, I think these are hard to get right. I want to see major events wrapped up so if an open ending is just an excuse not to do that, I'll likely not be satisfied with it. Though, like I said, there have been a few that have pleased me though I usually can't help but think they could have been better done.
