Tag Archives: random

Ranked #35 In UK & #156 Internationally on Amazon THANK YOU FROM KIM. #amreading #amwriting #romance #halloween

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It’s been a long day at the day job, it’s 9:00 p.m London time, but I’m about to put in a few hours writing before I do the dishes and finally go to sleep. Just a short thank you note to everyone who has downloaded a  FREE copy of A Stranger in France today. And if you’ve not there’s still time.

I have reached #35 in the UK and #156 internationally (on my last update) on Amazon for the top downloaded books rankings, in the romantic suspense category! What a happy feeling. Thank you for the support , I can’t tell you how this makes me feel- well I can but I’ll be here all night. Please trust me when I say, I am so grateful for the support and I hope you  all enjoy the story. I had so much enjoyment creating the characters, twists and turns and happy ever after- there is one trust me you may not see it coming but there is. 

A little later in November my second romance novella Not Just For Christmas will be published, and I hope you all enjoy that too! 

Have a great evening. I am off to write my heart out, I’m working on book #3 a romantic -thriller I have named it I’ll blurt  it out … it’s called In The Name of Love … it’s  coming your way in 2017!

With love!

Kim

PS- thank you and welcome to all new followers.

unnameda-stranger-in-france-1

 

Friday Night Tunes & Writing #amwriting

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A few weeks ago I did a writing prompt “One For The Ladies”  in response to the word value, you can read it here  . In my writing prompt, I  mentioned some famous women, who lost their self value  but have bounced back, and sadly some who never made it. One of them was Ms Spears! I am a H.U.G.E. Britney fan I always have been since “Opps I did it again”. I would love to see her in concert perform live  if she ever tours  in London- even if it means going on my own, I’d do it. I just noticed her carpool session with James Corden, from The Late Show and had to share.

Have a watch of this, she has bounced back so much from her dark days. Take note of what she said about her feelings towards men and marriage, and I dare you to try not to sing along, I found it hard. Now I’ve got some old skool Britney out of my system, I can get back to writing, happy Friday. Have a great weekend.

Go Britney you have bounced back, and you look fantastic!!

Value

 

 

Writing Prompt: What Would You Do If … #amwriting

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I’ve been playing around with some of the 100+ writing prompts I shared with you earlier this week. I’ve had a really good time with the  one line generator, especially the random situation generator. Here’s one that got me writing.

Writing prompt: What Would You Do If… You Had No Money To Feed Your Children?

It’s really sad, but I think in this day and age this is not an uncommon thing in society, I’m not talking third world countries I mean built up society. I can’t speak for elsewhere but here in London, the cost of living is ridiculously high. I have spoken about this before so I won’t rant again, but take rent for example if you rent from a private landlord the prices are sky high in some of the more “nicer” parts of London. Here in the UK we have a system that does offer help with rent payments to those on low incomes or out of work, under the current government we have, when they first came into power the amount of support offered was capped. The result of this was many of those on lower incomes were pushed out of the ” nicer” areas of London they were renting in, and had a struggle to find more cheaper homes to rent. Really sad. Then there’s the average salary vs things like rent costs, food costs, and transport. All very expensive outgoings in London- not to mention child care. 

Parents ( especially women) are often faced with the tough decision of staying at home or reducing their working hours as the cost of full time child care in London, easily eats up a huge part of your income- trust me I know! Just while children are under school age a woman’s career may be set back. Some how here in London economically in some cases it can make more  sense to stay at home rather than work, as the living wage just won’t not cover  all the bills and childcare. This is a blog post for another day! It’s a big subject.

So with these points in mind, I saw this writing prompt and thought this is something a lot of parents may (at one point) have been faced with. The extent of it will vary but we’ve all been there. I have decided not to pay a bill in order to survive, I have no shame in saying that! LOL just life and real, London is expensive!

Luckily, I’ve never been put in a position where I could not at all feed my son, but let me tell you if I were ever in this situation here is what I would do. He is my king and he always comes first. Let’s assume I had no mum, sisters, support system  etc and I was totally on my own…

  1. I’d ask my local shop keeper (really nicely) if he will help me out and explain my situation. I’d like to think after going to the same corner shop (as we call it here in the UK) for almost ten years where I live, he’d help me out with food. Just until I can repay him.
  2. I’d steal it- I tell you no lie I would. This is my son we are talking about. Yes I know this is wrong but I would actually steal food from the store, if the shop keeper said no. I don’t know if I should confess this but oh well! I would probably head to one of the larger food chains. The major ones who can afford to miss the cost of one meal as their profit turn over is ridiculously high. 
  3. I’d try to find a food bank. Here in London or actually around the UK they became very popular when the recession hit back in 2007. I’d turn on the news and see news reports on how much local charity aid  increased in demand, due to job loss vs the need to feed a family.
  4. I ‘d look in my cupboard and see what I can possibly russel up for dinner from what I have. One thing I learned from my mum is keep emergency supplies of things like pasta, tuna, rice etc. To this day I always have these tucked away – just in case.
  5. I’d go out and swallow my pride and ask strangers for help. I really would for the sake of my son. About two weeks ago, I was  outside a cafe, I just stepped out onto the pavement and started to debate what errand to run first on a Monday afternoon. A young girl approached me she looked around her mid -twenties. She said to me ” excuse me miss, do you have any cooking , cleaning or babysitting work for me?” I was quite shocked  and politely I said ” no I’m really sorry.” She then continued  to explain ” I have just come here from my country and it’s really hard, no work for me so I can’t eat or survive.” My heart strings were tugged, I asked her where she is from, it turned out  imagine this from  Greece! Of all the countries. I’m sure you all kept up with the crisis that country experienced when it went bankrupt and residents were limited to just something like sixty euros per week to withdraw from the bank, as there were no funds!  The country and its people were left high and dry. I could not believe what she said to me. While I had no cooking or cleaning jobs I did give her some money for food, just my luck I had no change so I ended up giving her a full £5.00 note. Before I handed it over, I thought to myself what is £5.00 in this day and age? It can just about buy lunch, or a travel card for the day this is not a large sum of money I’m parting with. She was so grateful. All I asked from her is that she did not spend it on drugs or alcohol, I watched her walk into the Wimpy cafe and take a seat ready to order. I walked away feeling like a better person for that charitable deed that day. If I ever have no money to feed my baby, I hope if I stop a stranger on the street and explain they will feel no ill feelings about parting with £5.00 just as I did.

100 +Short Story Writing Prompts- Release The Writer in You. #amwriting

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As the autumn days draw in I’ll spend less time outside, and more time inside writing. It’s a chilly day today in London, I will not be at the pool for our usual Sunday swimming fun. We’ll spend the day in pyjamas instead.

Are you looking for inspiration to write? I  just stumbled across these great little websites, with  writing prompts! I have books with writing prompts, but I feel like trying something new. A little research and hey presto. Here are a few sites I found, what you’ll find are a mixture of situations or the start of a story (prompt) to continue writing :

100 short story ideas

More short story ideas

Twenty-Five creative writing ideas

This one generates random one line prompts click here.

 Release the writer in you-I look forward to reading some of your short stories in my news feed.

 

NEW YEAR, NEW CHAPTER_ 20 Quotes About Life, Creativity and Travel ___

Writing Prompt: Mid-Season Replacement, Are You Ready For Change? #amwriting

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Writing prompt: For many of us the seasons are changing, bouncing unpredictably between cold and warm. Are you glad to be moving into a new season, or wishing for one more week of the old?

Personally, I’m a warm hot-blooded woman! I love the sun and everything that comes with it the  beach, parks, ice cream, cute sundresses, sunglasses, sandals, pedicures and bold colour nail varnish. Without a doubt summer has to be my favourite season, followed by spring.

That said, there are a number of things I love about fall – or autumn as we call it here in the UK. Autumn is well and truly on us here in the UK, the rain, chilly wind and darker evenings are all the signs you need as a Londoner,  to know it’s time to pack away the flip flops for another year.

I’m always keen to drag out the summer months for as long as possible, but when I thought about this writing prompt when I saw it, there are a number of things I love about the change of season to autumn.

  1. An excuse to read! Oh yes, with the cold windy weather it is a great reason to stay in and cuddle up with a great book.
  2. I’m more productive as a writer in the colder months- I don’t want to go out in the wind and rain, I’d rather be behind my lap top than out in the bad weather.
  3. The fashion: There is something about autumn fashion that really gets me going, the colours of autumn are really cool.  Nice stylish winter coats and hats.Not black or grey I mean browns, golds, dark greens. I love boots, and autumn is the time when all the nice ones are in the shops. Be it ankle  or knee height I don’t mind, I just love a new pair of boots. 
  4. I love to wear scarfs – nice chunky ones with bold prints. No better time than in the autumn.
  5. The change in colour and look when it comes to make-up and nail polish. You just have to take a glance on You – Tube, as soon as 1st September comes, to see all the make-up artists show-casing their “fall make-up” as soon as August is up. Reds, berry colours, browns I love all the deep  colours when it comes to lipsticks which are perfect for this time of year. Nail colour trends turn dark and vampy out goes the pinks and pale shades in come the reds, burgundy, navy and purple shades. I love it all. 
  6. Christmas- oh yes my favourite time of year. I love Christmas not for the gifts or money spent, purely for what it represents ( to me) family time. The one time of year you get to sit down and catch up with your loved ones and friends over a great meal. All year you’ve been busy, at Christmas everything slows down and the focus ( in my house) is on family time. I really, really enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen too this time of year.
  7. Meal times- in autumn are all about soups,stews, roast dinners and nice wholesome foods, which I enjoy cooking and eating.
  8. Reflection time- often this time of year I start to look towards the new year, (yeah like two months early.) I’m already thinking about what I’d hope for, for the new year, what I want more  or less of in the new year to come. This time of year I’m very out  with the old and in with the new.
  9. The start of a new academic year: as a teacher this is the chance to really make an impact on each student’s life, by preparing them for what’s ahead. Be it an exam, coursework or the next stage of study.
  10. My son’s birthday: yep! My baby boy is a winter baby just like me when it comes to his birthday. This time of year I get to celebrate another year spent with the best toddler in the world. I always look back and see how much he’s developed I can’t believe he’s going to be three.

So I guess for me, the change of season brings around a lot of positives, especially as I’m more productive as a writer.Even if I’m not a fan of the weather, without it ( the shift from sunshine to wind and rain) I would not enjoy my usual piqued interest in fashion, be  more creativity while cooking, or start  preparation and planning for the new year. 

So yes, while I’m wishing for one more week of sunglasses and a sundress, at the same time autumn, for me personally brings around a lot of personal growth as I look towards the future. It just occurred to me while writing this, my spring time eg new-begging is not in March/April time when spring actually starts  but in autumn September/October!

How do you feel about the change in season? Does it represent anything for you? What’s your favourite season and why?

 

Writing Prompt: Write A Short Story Using The Title/Lyrics Of A Song. #Soul #Sunday #amwriting #music

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Careful

 Writing prompt: write a short story using the title/lyrics of a song.

These songs just came on my ” Sweet Soulful Sunday” Spotify player randomly. Here’s a short( love) story using the lyrics from the two songs.. here we go!

I keep forgetting we’re not in love any more, I keep forgetting things will never be the same again. It all started a year ago, we fell out of love. Slowly, like a cancer eating away at an organ. It started in one area of our relationship , then spread and took over every other aspect. Before  I knew it you were  asking me to leave. To give you space to think and reflect on exactly what it is that you want.

What happened to us? What happened to the days when I thought  we were happy? Sometimes I sit down and wonder why? Why are you gone? I thought our love was real and true.   

It was spring  when we met, like a breath of fresh area  we got caught up in the whirlwind of dates, laughing, joking and getting to know this wonderful new person.  But now you’re gone, and I no longer lay down at night with you. I see you in  the street, at the library, at the cafe and every time you’re near, every time I see your face, and  hear you say “hello you can only stay awhile”  it makes me want to break down, and  cry. How comes I keep forgetting we’re not in love anymore? How comes I keep forgetting things will never be the same again? 

Every time I hear how you never want to live a lie, I wonder why? Was you ever happy or  just her for the sake of it. The love went, then the  intimacy . What is the lie, what is it that you can’t stand anymore. Are you hiding something from me?

Here’s a response from the other person in the relationship!

I’m sorry I told you to go, but it was the best thing for me as I needed to grow. Every morning I wake up, before I put on my make-up I say a little prayer for you..  wishing that you will be OK, and you will find someone new  who can love you and be true. While I’m combing my hair, and wondering what dress to wear everyday, I say a little prayer for you. That God can send you someone new and true.

We were together for a year and I swear that forever and ever you’ll stay in my heart, I will always love you. But I don’t think I am the one for you.

Break ups are hard, especially when you can’t understand why a relationship  fell apart, to live with out you will mean heart break for me.  When I was with you trust me darling there was no one for me but you, yes I’m still in love you .But I must do what’s best for me. I wish you well but now I must say fair well.

Aww! How sad it’s never nice when things fall about in relationships, but sadly they do. Be careful who you give you’re heart to. 

Happy soulful Sunday people!

Writing Prompt: Value- One For The Ladies

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Value

Today’s WordPress writing prompt is the word value, and I noticed it’s been suggested by one of my favourite bloggers Roberta Primentel all the way in Norway.

 Do you value yourself? Seriously do you? Don’t just say  “yeah I do” think about it- when was the last time you put yourself first? When I saw today’s prompt, what came to mind is one’s self, how much value we place on us.  Secondly, I thought of myself and how much I (now) value myself, compared to this time last year. As a romance writer it is so easy to whip up the perfect characters and everything is nice and everyone is happy, (after a few hurdles), but in reality love and life is not always like this. I’ve found in my thirty-three years of living, that the slightest thing can cause you to de-value yourself or compromise yourself. Sometimes with no thanks, or without even realising it.

You all know how much I love music, Amy Winehouse just came on my Spotifier player I thought of her, the poor girl. She was just a year younger than me  and sooooooo talented I went to one of her concerts here in London – when she was at the top of her game. And I brought the album Back to Black the day it came out, as well as her first album Frank. I have a lot of respect for her as an artist dead or alive, especially after I heard her sing live. But she died not because she was addicted to drugs and drink, what brought her to that point? In my view low self value. She valued another person more than herself ( her lover), it got so much for her the heart ache of placing this guy above herself she turned to drink and drugs to numb the pain.  I have read interviews over the years where her ex-husband has stated that he does feel guilty, and partly to blame for her death. So sad. She never got the chance to bounce back from Back to Black and come out the other side valuing herself more than some guy who clearly did not deserve her heart. Have you listened to that album? I mean really listened, not just to Rehab and Valarie the well known songs. Every every song has some reference to her heart ache. One thing I’ve always said about Amy is, out of her heart ache, came a masterpiece of art, her words, her feelings and her great voice earned her award after award all that from a broken heart and low self value.

Tell me ladies, is it really worth it? Not valuing yourself enough ? Letting yourself go so badly that you go from one extreme to another in your looks, ability to perform and be who you are?

RIP Amy.

The Amy I’ll always love

 

Last Friday, I read the morning’s papers and there was an interview with Britney Spears, how she’s fearful that her boys were growing up so fast, how she feels more herself in her thirties than her twenties. I can relate to the latter 100%. Britney is another woman who lost herself by placing less value on herself and more on someone else. We all remember watching her decline from a pop princess to a shaved headed maniac, hitting the paps with an umbrella… why? Why did this happen? We’ll never know but my guess is that a lot of it was to do with pressure of motherhood, then single motherhood , divorcing her shit-bag husband, a  breakup with Justin Timberlake all kinds of bull shit, I guess she was trying to please everyone but Britney, and it ended up with her melting down. Thank God she bounced back. Over the years, I’ve been secretly rooting for her comeback,  when I heard her her comeback song ” Gimmie More”  in 2007 the opening is   ” it’s Britney bitch” then she sings, I laughed and I still do when I hear it as it’s like two fingers up to all her haters. Good for you Britney! You’ve had so much stick over the years, I’m glad you’re back on top and doing what you do best.

 

The Britney I’ll always love

 

That’s not all what about Whitney Houston? Gosh that voice, the hair in the 80s, I love Whitney but she too lost her self worth and value  to yep- another person. Bobby Brown. We all know her story and it is so sad that she died, and even sadder how she died. Just another example of what can happen when a woman loses her self value and worth.

 

RIP Whitney

 

 

And my last female example is Lauren Hill, I am a MASSIVE  fan of her, it was her and the group The Fugees that introduced me to Hip Hop. My older sister brought me the album     “The Score” by the Fugees on tape I remember LOL, and she also brought me Lauren Hill’s album ” The Mis-education of Lauren Hill” back in the day. Lauren’s story is not so much highlighted as the other ladies in the media, but she too lost her self worth and value to another person. She also considered aborting her son due to media/industry pressure. Now she’s back  and is now on the up from watching You- Tube updates on her. Good for you Lauren!

 

Glad to have you back Lauren

So what is the point that I’m actually trying to make… a very simple one. Ladies value yourself . Choose your male mate wisely Aretha Franklin said it “R.E.S.P.E.C.T. ME! ” Remember you are like a flower you need to be watered and tended to regularly in order for you to bloom. If not you will wilt away and die- your personality, goals, hopes, dreams, ambition and self belief that you can do whatever it is you’d like to achieve. You will not value yourself as you should and may make poor decisions.

The four ladies I’ve used as examples of women who have lowered/compromised or lost their self value are extreme I know, as two of the four died, but two of the four have bounced back and   that’s the message I want to give.  Bounce back! As I said earlier in this post, this time last year, I would not say I had no self value, but it was lowered, compromised and  I was pleasing everyone but Kim. I put a stop to it, for the sake of my own sanity so I’m able to continue to  be the best mother I can be,  write, laugh, be me and over see the safety of both myself and my son.  Now life is much more better!

 The last thing I want o say is, this month is Domestic Violence Awareness month, I was alerted of this yesterday…. so  if you are in any form of abusive relationship or friendship, get the help you need NOW and get out. And if you are in an emotionally abusive relationship (this is just as bad) get the help you need NOW and try to walk away. The year is ending start 2017 with a new attitude… love you before anyone else.

Thank you to Roberta Primentel for today’s suggestion, and inspiring me to write.

 

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Word Prompt Response: Companion A Romance Writer’s Honest View!

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Companion

Ah what a word for today’s writing prompt nice one WordPress! As a romance writer, this word is a word I think about a lot when creating some kind of story based on romance, that’s  wrapped up with a bit of suspense/mystery. When writing it’s fun and sometimes easy to get lost in your own world conjuring up a handsome, physically eye popping  hero/ companion for my female heroine character, and vise versa. Also  to highlight their personality, whether that be a  powerful business man/women  or bad boy/girl, which allure the heroine and hero  resulting in some kind of happy ever after.

In real life it’s not always  as nice as  pie,  and that simple though is it? What we read in romance novels  around companionship  in real life is never that straight forward. Hence why I do, also try to keep an element of realism to my stories; relationships can be extremely testing in real life so I try to reflect that.

The other day, I read a blog post asking what makes 2 people compatible, I did respond and my response relates to this word prompt. In my view companionship is beautiful when you find it, forget the physical attraction (this is me speaking as a normal women not a romance writer!) as attraction is not what makes 2 people compatible/great companions or even should be what a companionship is based on that shit fades! Like I’m really going to look the same in 30-40 year’s time….. even with botox

  I feel, (personally speaking again) that in REAL LIFE  if 2 people have the same vision and direction this  is what makes a great companion. Or even if you don’t, the ability to support your partner with their vision, and meet in kind of some middle ground this makes a great companionship. If not there will always be push and pull in different directions, that ultimately add strain; and sadly can end a companionship.

A similar  outlook on life and how you go through it as an individual also is what makes a great companion I’ve learned this, for example are you a list maker, go geter, climb the top of a mountain, set goals kinda person in life? Is this how you  keep yourself motivated and achieve? If so then a sit back and let life happen to you, laid back to the point of little care about your future kind of personality is NOT going to make a great companion; you have 2  different outlooks on how you wish to live life. I call this personality type A and personality type B.

Now when you think about things like this, when seeking companionship in real life how often do we FIRST look at a person’s outlook on life, how they live it and their future goals  when it comes to selecting a partner or companion ? We focus on the physical, the sex, the dates, the money, whatever! Anything BUT does this person have the same outlook on life as me? And how they wish to live it? I’m not talking about oh, yeah we get on really well so therefore we have a similar out look on life, this is different; this is just ability to chill with someone or have fun not spend the rest of your life with them necessarily.  Really looking for the right personality type in a companion is deeper- and if we all did this we may not make the same mistake twice, and might be more likely to end up with our true compatible companion. Rather than someone we get on with and can have fun or chill with.Now this is me, the human, the women not the romance fiction writer who creates a whirlwind of romance and companionship based on  things outside of what I would look for, or try to look for in real life when I think of the word companion.

When I think of the word companion, and compatibility like this in a deeper way, it shows me that things like age, race, looks are really in some ways irrelevant if you focus on compatibility  and outlook  as a judgement on what or whom would make a great companion. Makes me wonder if these things or preferences maybe even barriers that one may put up,  by just seeking out a certain age, race, look etc  are just things which over complicate love! Put us off track, as our focus is shifted and we seek maybe not what is key, important and essential to finding and keeping the right companion (with he right outlook and personality first and foremost) so you have a higher chance of growing together,  the months turn to years, they turn to decades of companionship. ……. hummm just a thought, as a women, human being taking off my romance writer hat.

 

 

 

Word Prompt of the Day: Buddy

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Buddy

I got excited when I saw this morning’s writing word prompt of the day, ” buddy” this is the second  prompt I’ve responded to that personally means something to me. Why you ask? 2 main reasons.

The word buddy or friend means a lot to me, I’ve reached the age of 33 and I’ve honestly learned that friends come in all shapes and sizes, races and ages they also enter and exit your life for lots of different reasons. But what’s important  about friendship / buddies I’ve learned at 33 is  1. what  you learn from  a friendship  /buddy 2. how does it help move you forward or have you realised this friendship is holding you back 3. your true friends make themselves known to you in many ways, and your deadbeat tag-a-long buddies who really do not enrich your life, or never there for you, believe in one-sided friendship or even worse are secretly competitive or jealous also show their true colours; and it’s up to you to decide whether this is the kind of buddy you need in your life. I’ve shed 1 girlfriend like this I can count in 33 years.

Around 2 years ago, I also learned that friendship can be maintained via letter  as in you’ve never met or even spoken to this person, in some cases never even seen a photo! Yes hand written  personal letters sent millions of miles across the Atlantic and Pacific ocean just once or twice a month can really seal a friendship or bond with a buddy but you’ve never even met or spoken to. There’s something special about this type of buddy /friendship made when you click via letter and you can’t wait to hear back once you’ve stuck your international stamp on  the envelope and sent your letter off.

 I have mentioned before in my reflection #1 post how grateful I am for my overseas girlfriends who I write to, these random women of different ages and races some who speak French  we write in this lovely language to maintain my fluency/ bilingual ability  to practice. Some who don’t speak a word but we have common interests and connected via letter writing forums and write in English. For the last 2 years I can count buddies I’ve made in the USA, Canada, France,  Germany,UK, Austria and as far as Australia who I have ”spoken to” via letter solidly for 2 years and I would say yes she’s a buddy! Amazing as a writer I feel letter writing should not die.

last weekend, guess what? I had the real pleasure of actually meeting one of my French pen buddies from Paris when she came to London with her husband ! After almost 2 years of writing back and forth our friendship is sealed, last weekend to actually hear her Parisian accent and have a conversation with her that did not take weeks/ months to finish was amazing. This year  over the summer, I also hope to meet another UK pen buddy when I travel  down to the English coast for a holiday.

The second reason this word buddy means a lot to me personally is because in my book I’m  about to finish writing this month, the main character’s story is ” shown” a lot through her exchanges with her buddy, so the whole concept of a buddy is a main feature  which helps to progress  my story lines/ drama I’ve plot out for my main female character in my book. I like the word buddy, it means a lot, personally and creatively as a writer it’s helped progress my creativity in writing. 

 Did you know that us Aquarius star sign folk are meant to be the most loyal of all star signs when it comes to friendships/ being a buddy? I’m the world’s biggest pen buddy nerd, I don’t actually care… judge me LOL, this is part of my life and I don’t intend to stop writing to buddies that I may not ever get to meet. As my son grows older, it is something I would encourage him to think about too as a child making sense of the world as a way to learn about the world and different cultures, which has been a great experience for me.

So reader, what do you think about friendships via letter? Do you enjoy a more slow paced friendship / buddy building with people and have pen friends all over the word? Have you ever thought of finding a distant buddy / pen friend but been too scared of looking like a nerd? What does the word buddy mean to you?

 

 

 

 

 

Day #84

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Oh as the deadline for submission to my publisher draws near I am now getting  REALLY excited for the book, and the characters in the book. I’m now wrapping up the story and around 75,000 words deep pre editing!

Today, I was thinking about the way stories end, and  as a writer you always aim to please your readers, however what if the ending you have in mind is not a happy ending for all characters? This is not the case with my story, what I’ve plot out is some kind of happy ending that’s satisfying; however a few weeks ago I had a conversation with a friend of mine she to is writing a novel (or has been writing this novel for some time), her predicament is that her ending is not  too pretty. We discussed whether an ending in a story ALWAYS needs to be happy; personally I don’t feel it always has to be what do you think? Life  is not always pretty and if you’re writing a plot line with rather deep or serious issues sometimes things may not turn out pretty in reality. Also sometimes it’s  refreshing to read something that’s not all sunshine and roses. This is just my view.

I encouraged my friend to keep writing, and write what feels natural if there is a death, suicide, murder or something a bit ”unpretty” at the end of the plot so be it! Yes, 9/10 readers may want a nice ending but reality needs to also be considered also.

So my question is, when it comes to your reading pleasure do you always need a happy ending? Does genre play a part in whether an ending should be happy or not? When it comes to the  romance genre (as that’s what I’m writing now) do you as a romance reader need a pretty, happy and loved up ending or not? Do you feel dissatisfied if you don’t have this in a romance genre book?

These questions I feel are good research into the genre to see what  romance readers generally feel and think… let me know your thoughts with a comment.