I have this one story I'm thinking of, and an ending I somewhat want, but my husband is telling me it's a horrible ending. That if I were to end it like that people would get upset. Of course I would want to give a satisfying ending. If you would kindly take the time to read the rest of this post, and say if it's a good enough ending or not, that would be greatly appreciated.

Here's the cliffnotes. (Too paranoid to give too much details).
- We have the male lead who's married, but his marriage is on the rocks. Him being a good guy, he wants to try everything he can to make his marriage work. (The whole marriage is hard work, and you don't give up easily thing).
The female lead has gotten out of a messy marriage, and is currently uninterested in dating. She's also related to the male lead's wife. ( Oh, the drama o.o ). She considers the male lead more like a close friend than family, as she didn't grow up with him as a family member.

Stuff happens secret relationship/affair, other dramatic things, middle contents of the story, etc.

-Ending: The male lead unable to leave his wife (due to certain things) stays married, but keeps the female lead as a little secret. The female lead is fine being kept in the dark.
(For some reason I'm thinking of a scene where we're in a dark hallway, looking into a lit room with the leads, about to *cough* get busy. The door closing making us focus at the female lead's face smiling. The smile being one that's a mixture of happiness, and crazy? evil? fulling something sinfully delicious? with her thought of something along the lines of as long as I have his heart and body I'm happy. Working progress for that thought).
So yeah beginning as a secret relationship, and a secret relationship in the end.



My husband says that's not an ending. It's more like an ending leading up to a sequel.
Chances of this having a sequel are very slim.
Your opinions on the ending please.



Sidenote: I'm just throwing this out there, but I was thinking that this line from ' He's Just Not That Into You ' seems to fit well into this story. " What if you meet the love of your life, but you're already married. Are you supposed to just let that person pass by? " But this wasn't my inspiration.
The story came into my head when I went to a lunch celebrating a family member's graduation. (Other family members were there too), and my thoughts started to wander about of one member (unrelated by blood). Thus story. >/////////<

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Personally, I think that your ending is more interesting than if he had left his wife. As long as everything is resolved when he makes the decision (i.e. there isn't a pregnancy he doesn't know about, or whatever), and he's certain it's the decision he wants, I don't see how it demands a sequel.

That being said, are you writing this with the intent of publication? And, if so, as literary fiction or a romance novel? If it's romance, I advise you to consider what percentage of your target audience (mostly women, many married) will want to read a story about a cheating husband who has his cake and gets to eat it too. It's fine if you want to self-publish, but I would have serious doubts about whether a publishing company would pick it up unless you already have prior publications and an established fan base. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't try - it's just something to think about if you're not already invested in the ending.

Thanks for letting me know your opinion on this.

Yes, I eventually want to publish this at some point .... not sure when it'll happen though ...
I'm "working" on 30 or so stories, but only writing one out at a time. (The others are getting outlined, with details for the time being.)
Ummm I'm not sure which at this point what genre(s) it would fall under. ( ... Something for me to worry about later, heh. Still nowhere near ready to get published.)
As for targeted audience ... I'm not sure if I have a certain one for any of my stories, heh. (Maybe everyone )
Right now I'm just focused on getting stories done (and learning how to write properly >.>) , and polishing them (polishing over and over and over again.)


The more I think of this ending the more I like it. (Still not set in stone though)
Heh, the way it's ending so far doesn't seem like the male lead wants to eat his cake and have it too. ( T^T Poor male lead)

Thanks a lot hkanz, you were a lot of help. (both your opinion, and thoughts for later about publishing.)


Still open to more opinions. Thanks in advance.

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Yes yes, I know I make longwinded comments, but that's just me >.<
I should proof read my comments more, but I won't...
So keep in mind I'm filled with typos

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After sitting on it, I think I will be set on this ending. Trying to alter it is making my stomach feel uneasy, heh like yelling "Don't do it!! Don't change the ending. >.<"

Thanks again hkanz for your input. I'll make the ending work somehow.



If a Mod would kindly lock this thread. Thanks in advance mod.

________________
Yes yes, I know I make longwinded comments, but that's just me >.<
I should proof read my comments more, but I won't...
So keep in mind I'm filled with typos

Check out FAQ and Forum Rules if you haven't yet.
For errors linking in threads