Several months ago, I came across a blog that asked this question: “Epilogues do we need them?”
In the blog, the author went on to say . . . “Romance novels have a very strict structure. Depending on the romance publisher, the prescribed format can be even stricter. The general rule is that once the hero and heroine say they love each other, their story is done. Nothing more need be said. Nothing more can be written about them.”
It was this statement that stopped me.
I’m sorry, but doesn’t this seem a little, what’s the words I’m looking for, like the publisher is dictating what all readers want and therefore is hindering the readers experience and the authors inner responsibility to her characters?
How so?
Case in point.
While this is not meant to as a bash against my publisher or editor, in my first novel I had a chapter at the end that the editor told me we should cut. I didn’t want to cut the chapter, but was told that the chapter was unnecessary and it would just annoy the readers because, as the blogger above said, “once the hero and heroine say they love each other, their story is done.”
Against my better judgement, I didn’t fight as hard as I should have for this chapter. Instead, I agreed to cut all but a snip-it of words from the novel. I didn’t like the change as I didn’t like how it read, but being new and not really knowing what I could or couldn’t fight for, I let it go. To me, though, the snip-it was awkward and out of place, and it just left this whole at the end of the book that I felt the chapter I did write filled.
So what happened with this snip-it? Just as I predicted, it was a mistake. It’s led to bad reviews and readers saying that it’s not only odd and out of place, but that they feel a part of the novel is missing.
Yeah, I know it is!!!!
And it’s the first thing that I’ll write back in as soon as I get my rights back and republish the novel as a second edition under Long Valley Press.
While I agree that publishers should be allowed their standards—especially mine—where should we as authors draw the line of following those standards to make our novels complete? Should the story stuffer in order to follow a rule? Or should it be allowed to break a rule? Of course, there are stories that should end at the declarations of love. But what about those authors and readers who wish for a little bit more?
I’m the type of reader who likes what I call a “let down” chapter.
What’s a let down chapter? It’s a chapter that is the calm after the storm of the climax. A chapter that gives me an insight into the characters lives after they’ve won whatever war they’ve been fighting through the whole book. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s the day after their victory or a week or a month or even a year, just something to let me know they are happy.
And that’ s why I write them in every one of my novels.
To me whether it’s a let down chapter or an epilogue, I love them. And I know a lot of other people who do. So darling followers, do you prefer epilogues or do you not care?
angelachristinaarcher.com 
Thought provoking post, thanks for sharing 🌹
Thank you Elaine!! 🙂
You are welcome ✨
Hmm, I can see the reasoning behind this, about the once they say ‘I love you,’ the story is over, but I don’t know how vaild that is anymore. In some of the newer romance novels, the characters’ stoy goes beyond ‘I love you.’ For example, Twilight, 50 Shades, Angels’s Blood, and The Crossfire Novel’s. However, I won’t deny that I’m wary of this in my own story. In Clash of Tides, Elena and Assan share a moment, but they don’t say ‘I love you’ yet as their story isn’t complete. I think epilogues are fine after a couple says the words. Most readers theses days want more after story now anyway.
I understand it to an extent too. But like with Outlander. Heck, they get married half way through the first book which is considered a BIG NO NO in the romance genre. I think if it’s done right and important to the story, then it should happen when it should happen. I wouldn’t worry about your stories, I’m sure you’ve taken the steps to do it right. 🙂
They did, didn’t they?! And that series has so many books. Even Bella and Edward got married and the story still went on. Like you said, if it’s important to the story, I don’t think it matters.
Yes, they did. And I know several authors who have slammed Ms. Gabaldon for it because of an interview she did about how it didn’t fit in the romance genre because of that. She wasn’t downplaying romance, but writers took offense. It was actually kind of stupid, really.
Personally, I need a follow-up. Who makes up these rules anyway? To me, it’s art, and not everyone likes the same painting. Why would we put rules on how a painting should be finished off?
I don’t know who makes up the rules. That’s one great thing about self publishing. Although, I don’t want to go too out of the ordinary—LOL—if I want to do something that is against some rule, then I can.
I don’t know who does. I’d rather have follow up chapters, too.
I don’t understand all of the rules that anyone tries to impose on an artist – whether a writer, photographer, painter, or other artist. I wonder how many great stories have ended up in a slush pile because they didn’t follow the rules? How many of those stories would have landed in the hands of many readers who crave something different?
Thank goodness there are more publishing options available these days than in times past.
Hi Angela!
I have nominated you for a Blogger Recognition award! Stop on over to check it out.
http://cherylfassett.com/2017/02/09/a-blogger-recognition-award/
THANK YOU SO MUCH CHERYL!! I’m honored. 🙂
I love an epilogue! It can even be a few years down the track. I’ve used his in my romance trilogy and it gives a final tie to each book. I don’t like the romance structure, despite that I love to write romance. Life happens after the I love you. Generally life after that point is the best bit 😁
Hopefully, in time the rules will loosen up on that pesky let down chapter. Lol.