Discussion on Sad Stories

[unicornfield]

What makes an effective sad story or scene?
Do you think a story could be too dark? If so, is that necessarily a bad thing?

[IndigoShirtProd]

Sympathy and a well developed connection with the characters. No and no.

Some things are going to hit close to home for others, some things will be too depressing to take in one sitting. If things are too dark, some people might not be able to get through it other people will just not take it seriously if it turns out to be comically depressing. It's really about how people individually will take a piece of content.

[snowy]

As long as you have something to say, then "sad" is fine.

If, however, all you're interested in is that scene where the protagonist is on their knees, rain pounding down on a tearstreaked face, screaming "NOOOOOO !!!" at an uncaring universe as the camera zooms out....

..then you might wanna do another draft.

[Kann]

I'd say for a sad story to be effective, a reader needs to be emotionally invested in the story. It might be something that hits close to home or some connection with the characters. Or some kind of buildup or backstory, so the sad part hits more effectively. There are people who love dark and depressive stories, so as long as there's someone who'll be interested in such thing then it's fine.

[Kiweevil]

At that point it just sounds like comedy

[Maps]

I actually enjoy sad stories with heavy drama, which is what I tend to write. But as I’ve written, I can see how it can get tiring to always have things being down, so I add humor or a light-hearted chapter where I can. It’s kind of nice to see dark stories balanced out with something lighter occasionally.

[DiegoPalacios]

First, you need the audience to be emotionally invested in your characters. Only then will they suffer when the characters suffer.

[CodeMonkeyArts]

There is a trope known as 'Darkness-Induced Audience Apathy' (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DarknessInducedAudienceApathy).

Essentially a story can be too dark and if the character are not ones the audience are invested in (or there is ONE character they like but they live in a world full of assholes and thus go through hell with no hope), then a sad story can turn into a story where audiences don't care about what happens.

I think it's important, to @Maps point, to have some kind of light, or levity in the sad story. That also gives the effect of making the gut punches even more effective and thus the suddenly feels more real. That with effective complex characters makes any story, even a sad and dark one, compelling.

I can't say I write sad stories, but I do write dark ones, so I spend a lot of time on characterization because if you're following someone into the depths of hell, they better damn well be a person worth following.

[UrMom]

Depends on the person, but most people need to feel empathy, or at least sympathy for the characters to get anything out of a sad story or scene. I would say to go with what everyone else is saying, don't make it too dark or too sad.

Personally I enjoy really depressing stuff, it's rather cathartic to sort of project onto characters going through awful stuff in an environment I know I can control. I myself have a sad, dark, hurt/comfort comic with more emphasis on the hurt and it can be extremely heavy for people who have been in similar situations as the characters. Although it's super niche given it's relentlessly bleak right now.
If you want people to read your work you gotta ease them into it, and not go too hard because the average person doesn't like experiencing sad stuff for an extended period of time.

"Can a story be too dark?" "Can that be a bad thing if it is?"
Not for me. Hit me with everything you got!

[AmysGames]

Personally, sad scenes tend to hit me a lot harder when there's a clear contrast. Show me the happy moments before the sad ones, so that I can better appreciate what's been lost.

As for being "too dark," I don't think there's necessarily such a thing, but if it's not adequately explained/justified, it can feel a bit forced. Like you're just throwing in darkness for darkness' sake.

[wufargia]

Honestly, I've been running into the same thoughts with my own comic, which deals with a lot of heavy and touchy topics. I'm currently working on a part of my story that's especially heavy and bleak - where it's supposed to feel like things are spiraling. This has certainly put off some readers; but as the storyteller - I feel like it's important to treat the topic realistically and with respect - to build the tension and not interject too much humor where it's not appropriate.

But I agree with most of what everyone has been saying in terms of making your audience invested in the character(s) and inserting "breaks" whenever it makes sense. Like many things, it's also about preferences. Like @UrMom stories that delve into darker topics is cathartic for me, so I can take in a lot. But, for others, it may be too much or trigger unwanted memories.

Ultimately, it's your story though ꈍ .̮ ꈍ so tell it how you want.

[Ardelvion]

All sad scenes/stories I've come across have one thing in common: empathy/sympathy for the characters (but this only works if I've gotten to know the characters gradually).

Doesn't matter if a sad story is too dark or not. What may be too dark for one reader may not be the same for another.

[thedude3445]

That trope is one that edgy manga authors (and their webcomic kin) would be extremely wise to take care of, but it really seems like they never will stop doing ridiculous darkness to uninvest us in the story.

Sad stories are extremely good if done well and not emotionally manipulative. But it's also a very fine line. Some sad stories can really hurt readership for readers who weren't expecting or aren't fond of heavier emotions, so you gotta be careful when considering just how heavy to go.

[UrMom]

stories that delve into darker topics is cathartic for me, so I can take in a lot.

Oh my gad, another person on Tapas like me?? Who finds catharsis in consuming heavy content?? Dayum! I feel like I'm in an episode of The Twilight Zone.