"I asked a few friends at the club what they liked. Big mistake. One didn't want happy endings, one wanted exciting stories and one didn't want fairy stories".

Not a mistake, just a challenge. Asking the question of 3 people has already offered you three options, which both proves that your club fiends have thought about your storytelling and responded to it, and also that it is a mistake to try to please all of the people all the time. Listen to what your friends say. I'm sure some storytellers could satisfy all three requests at once, but if your experience so far is limited, then look on it as a three-part opportunity and try to suit each separately. Introduce your new stories by saying that having spoken to so-and-so you hope this story will be enjoyed. People appreciate being considered! and after all, if you wish to use a forum that is primarily focussed on music to tell your stories, then it is only good manners to accept the member's tastes and select to suit - no point in performing to an audience if their enjoyment is not important