Why A Compelling Emotional Arc Means Your Character Has To Lose Something

What kind of novel do you want to write? What kind of ending do you want: Happily Ever After (HEA) or a realistic ending? There’s only a right or wrong answer for you. HEAs are quickly consumed and deliver an emotional high for readers looking for a brief escape from reality. Those writing realistic endings are hoping to challenge or teach readers indirectly and take the character on an emotional journey where the reader learns something about themselves too.

My intent in asking is not to de...