I get why some people like/write stories with “unhappy” endings, they want it to be true to life I suppose. Which is true, life can be pretty rough sometimes, don’t want to let yourself romanticize the world and be disappointed Ted. I think it’s good to have a balance between the two though, because for as much shit life will throw at us, there’s always some good in it too. Maybe that’s another reason why people write/like “unhappy” endings, it’s not as readily available to see the good, to see the beauty in it. It’s still there though. There’s always something beautiful to be seen, if you let yourself. So I can’t say I dislike those types of stories, just a different vibe, sometimes you’re feeling them sometimes you’re not. I don’t always like super happy ending stories either. Especially if it’s just abruptly happy instead of having a build up to it, or have some challenges leading up to it. It feels fake when it’s all just happy this happy that. I guess it’s a nice getaway for some people tho.
Happiness is a choice. In life and in writing. I like having my characters be happy whether it’s for just a small breathe in time before something terrible happens again, or a truly happy ending, all of my characters will feel happiness. I don’t rob them of that, I choose to let my characters be happy, and in my life I also choose to be happy. If I’m able to help other people do the same, and I know that I have that ability then I’ll absolutely choose that too.
It’s good to have “bad” shit happen for character development but if it’s just to a sadist then that’s cruel. Why do you want that for your characters.