Happy endings

[molly]

My question is:
Would you make ending of your story happy, or sort of happy, even if you personally think that in real life this ending has small chances to happen? (when it really bugs you)

[metroshane]

Damn, I thought this was about non theraputic messages.

I think the ending (happy or not) should be decided before you ever type the first word.  The theme and the mood will be set in your head and to purposely break that at the end will be contrived and mal-fitting.  You know, if I'm writing a movie about two lost loves coming back together...it might be funny to have the leads killed in a bus accident.  But only you will think so.  

If you are making a horror movie don't have everyone come back to life at the end and have a tea party.

[Pastor Parsley]

It's impossible to say stories should have happy endings, or stories should have sad endings, or somewhere in between.  Construct your story the way you want it.