HEA - or the "Happy Ever After"

As I was sitting in front of my computer, taxing my brain trying to come up with a topic for my blog, I got an email from Karen D., telling me that she and others had debated the Happy Ever After at a forum.

She asked, "Is marriage the only acceptable outcome for an HEA, or are other options acceptable these days? Like maybe someone is stuck married to another who lives in a country/religion that doesn't recognize or allow divorce, can that someone find happiness in a long term relationship?"

Great question - especially as a topic for a blog.

My answer to her: I’m not an author who believes in hard, fast rules. To me, there is any number of happy endings, depending on the skill of the author to deliver it in a believable way. I never say never... there are just too many innovative storytellers out there. So my answer is no, marriage is not the only HEA.

Used to be, the HEA involved a damsel in distress, a charming prince who saved her, and fairytale weddings. But... these days? Not so much anymore, at least not in fiction.

I've seen stories where the heroine saved the hero, or where they saved each other.

And of course, there are plenty of books where no one is in physical peril; the characters are on an emotional journey to find love.

Ages ago, a favorite author of mine disappointed me with her ending of a romance. The characters were married, but the hero was so arrogant and obnoxious, that I didn't want them to be.
I almost wrote off that author.

Then Stella Cameron was visiting for one of our local conferences. She and I were riding in the backseat of someone's car, and she recommended to me a different book by that author.

I told her that, thanks to the last one, I wasn't interested. She was insistent, as Stella can be, and because I trust her, I read the recommended book - and LOVED IT.
It's remains one of my all time faves.

A few years later, after several more books by that particular author, I reread the book that had disappointed me, and I had a totally different reaction to it. That second time, I kind of liked the ending. It suited the characters, and I found subtleties that I hadn't noticed in the first read.

Back when "Kill Bill 1 and 2" was released in theaters, I LOVED both movies. The concept of a feature length film that was only partially resolved in the first movie inspired me. I wrote JUDE'S LAW. The romance was wrapped up in that book, and they knew who the bad guy was, but they hadn't yet caught him.

In MURPHY'S LAW, the sequel, there was another romance with characters who were secondary in the first book, and the carry-over plot was resolved.

But some readers were not amused. They were more than furious that I hadn't demolished the bad guy by the end of the first book. I guess they didn't have the same fascination with Kill Bill that I had. :::grin::: I got a fair share of letters on those books, let me tell you. The HEA that I provided, which covered the romance, wasn't the HEA that they expected.

I'm finding that in romance, expectations are the driving force. If you're going to have anything different, then be sure to let readers know right there on the cover of the book, so that they start reading with knowledge of what will be different.
In hindsight, it makes sense to me.

Many, many times, when critics have tried to pigeonhole romance I've insisted that the only set "rules" are: romance, and a HEA. But just as society has changed, can the definition of "romance" and the "HEA" change too?

What works for us is, sometimes, largely dependent on where we are in life, our changing perspectives, and societal influences. Our views aren't static, so romance, and especially HEAs, can't be static. We change, so they must change.

For the most part, I like to see characters in a traditional marriage, promising love everlasting both emotionally, and legally. But I don't HAVE to have that. If an author can make me a believer in whatever way she circumvents marriage, then I'm with her.

What about you?

Have you read any books that did not have the traditional HEA that you still loved?
That you hated?

Are you okay with characters living together indefinitely, committed to each other, but not legally bound?

With all the paranormal books out there, can you buy into a HEA with a paranormal being, like a ghost, shape shifter, etc..?

Hollywood romances are often not based on marriage. Do you think that could influence the book industry?

I'm curious about your take on the HEA - and maybe it'll help someone else in a future debate on a forum. LOL

All my best to you,

LORI
aka
L. L. FOSTER
http://www.lorifoster.com/