The end... and then some
Jun. 11th, 2009 06:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
next_to_normalI'm a little behind the times here, since this blog post is from almost two weeks ago, but over on edittorrent, there was a post about epilogues and then a follow-up, which naturally produced thinky thoughts.
I've never written an epilogue.1 I have, however - on enough occasions for it to raise an eyebrow - gotten comments on the last chapter of more than one fic asking, "Will there be an epilogue?" or the even more baffling, "Great story! Can't wait for the epilogue!" Like, they just assumed there'd be one, even though I haven't given any hint that there's an epilogue. The story's finished - the plot is resolved, the characters have arced, and the relationship question (if there is one) is settled, if not a guaranteed "happily ever after." So where does the expectation come from that there's going to be something beyond the conclusion of the story? For any other authors out there - do you feel that same expectation? Do you ever write an epilogue just because people want one, even if the story doesn't need it?
One trend that I've found in fanfic is that epilogues are often about sex. It's completely unnecessary to the plot, but once everything's settled and the story's over, Buffy and Spike go for a roll in the hay... why? To affirm their relationship? To give them a happily ever after? Because you wanted to write smut but it didn't fit in the actual story? Because you think people won't like your story if there's no sex?
That last one, by the way - that's ridiculous. If the scene doesn't add anything to your story, you shouldn't be tacking it on the end just to please readers who want smut. If they want smut, they can go read a PWP. Now, if YOU want smut, I'd recommend either a.) figuring out a way to work it into the story, rather than tacking it on at the end, or b.) just write a different, more smut-friendly story. Not every fic has to have sex, and if it doesn't work for this particular fic, you can always write another one that does. If you're really attached to your epilogue scenario, write it as a one-shot set in the same 'verse and post it separately. You'll probably get more readers that way, because then you'll pick up the PWP fans who didn't want to bother with your plotty fic just for one chapter of hot sex.
As for the other issues, I think you know how I feel about those. :) Once a story ends, I don't need confirmation that Buffy and Spike will still be together six months later, or six years later, or whenever your epilogue is set. I also don't need them to have sex to cement the fact that they're together. If you think I do, then you probably didn't do a good enough job of establishing their feelings for one another in the body of the story.
That's not to say there aren't good reasons for writing an epilogue.2 There were a few suggestions in the original comments, such as an ironic twist, or bookending a story with a prologue and epilogue (e.g. the pro and epi are in present-day, and the whole story is a flashback or something). But in general, epilogues seem to beg the question, "Is it necessary?" And if so, why isn't it part of the actual story?
So, I guess I'll end with the same questions posed in the original post - Have you ever written an epilogue, and if so, what was your reason for doing so? What makes an epilogue work and what doesn't?
*****
1I kind of called Turning a Corner an epilogue, mostly so it would be acceptable to post on Spuffy archives, but it isn't a true epilogue since it can be read as a one-shot without having read the story that precedes it. You'll notice it's listed as a separate story both on my sidebar and in my fic index.
2I always feel compelled to qualify posts like this, because if I don't, I'll get a slew of responses saying, "Why do you hate epilogues? There are perfectly good epilogues out there!" (Or, God help me, "I write epilogues! Are you calling me a bad writer?") I don't hate epilogues, I'm not morally opposed to them, and I don't think that anyone who's written one should be taken out back and shot. For everything I rant about, there's always an exception to be made for something done well. But when I post about something, I'm usually doing one of two things (often both): 1. expressing a personal preference; 2. pointing out a trend that may not be not inherently bad, but is often poorly executed.
I've never written an epilogue.1 I have, however - on enough occasions for it to raise an eyebrow - gotten comments on the last chapter of more than one fic asking, "Will there be an epilogue?" or the even more baffling, "Great story! Can't wait for the epilogue!" Like, they just assumed there'd be one, even though I haven't given any hint that there's an epilogue. The story's finished - the plot is resolved, the characters have arced, and the relationship question (if there is one) is settled, if not a guaranteed "happily ever after." So where does the expectation come from that there's going to be something beyond the conclusion of the story? For any other authors out there - do you feel that same expectation? Do you ever write an epilogue just because people want one, even if the story doesn't need it?
One trend that I've found in fanfic is that epilogues are often about sex. It's completely unnecessary to the plot, but once everything's settled and the story's over, Buffy and Spike go for a roll in the hay... why? To affirm their relationship? To give them a happily ever after? Because you wanted to write smut but it didn't fit in the actual story? Because you think people won't like your story if there's no sex?
That last one, by the way - that's ridiculous. If the scene doesn't add anything to your story, you shouldn't be tacking it on the end just to please readers who want smut. If they want smut, they can go read a PWP. Now, if YOU want smut, I'd recommend either a.) figuring out a way to work it into the story, rather than tacking it on at the end, or b.) just write a different, more smut-friendly story. Not every fic has to have sex, and if it doesn't work for this particular fic, you can always write another one that does. If you're really attached to your epilogue scenario, write it as a one-shot set in the same 'verse and post it separately. You'll probably get more readers that way, because then you'll pick up the PWP fans who didn't want to bother with your plotty fic just for one chapter of hot sex.
As for the other issues, I think you know how I feel about those. :) Once a story ends, I don't need confirmation that Buffy and Spike will still be together six months later, or six years later, or whenever your epilogue is set. I also don't need them to have sex to cement the fact that they're together. If you think I do, then you probably didn't do a good enough job of establishing their feelings for one another in the body of the story.
That's not to say there aren't good reasons for writing an epilogue.2 There were a few suggestions in the original comments, such as an ironic twist, or bookending a story with a prologue and epilogue (e.g. the pro and epi are in present-day, and the whole story is a flashback or something). But in general, epilogues seem to beg the question, "Is it necessary?" And if so, why isn't it part of the actual story?
So, I guess I'll end with the same questions posed in the original post - Have you ever written an epilogue, and if so, what was your reason for doing so? What makes an epilogue work and what doesn't?
*****
1I kind of called Turning a Corner an epilogue, mostly so it would be acceptable to post on Spuffy archives, but it isn't a true epilogue since it can be read as a one-shot without having read the story that precedes it. You'll notice it's listed as a separate story both on my sidebar and in my fic index.
2I always feel compelled to qualify posts like this, because if I don't, I'll get a slew of responses saying, "Why do you hate epilogues? There are perfectly good epilogues out there!" (Or, God help me, "I write epilogues! Are you calling me a bad writer?") I don't hate epilogues, I'm not morally opposed to them, and I don't think that anyone who's written one should be taken out back and shot. For everything I rant about, there's always an exception to be made for something done well. But when I post about something, I'm usually doing one of two things (often both): 1. expressing a personal preference; 2. pointing out a trend that may not be not inherently bad, but is often poorly executed.
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Date: Jun. 12th, 2009 03:05 am (UTC)