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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#42: End of Story

Reaching the end of a story is a bittersweet thing. Upon reading the final word of a particularly good piece, you’re often hit with a sort of story-hangover: the ache of wanting to stay in the world of the tale, yet knowing there’s no more story to be read.

 

A truly excellent ending can mitigate that pain — which is why, as a writer, it’s crucial to nail the end of your own stories! Of course, this can mean different things for different pieces. A great ending might underscore a story's theme, or it might pose more questions than it answers; it all depends on context and execution. For more info, check out our tips for crafting a memorable ending here, and then dive into our ending-themed prompts below!

 

p.s. — We're hosting a Live Copyediting Workshop! On May 20th, Editors Tracy Gold and Julie Artz will take to YouTube to copyedit passages submitted by writers like you! For a chance to have your writing featured, click this link to register for the event and you'll receive submission instructions by email.

This week's prompts

Write a story that ends with the narrator revealing a secret.

Mystery – 162 stories

Write a story that ends in the past.

Teens – 68 stories

Write a story that ends with a character asking a question.

Narrative – 260 stories

Write a story that ends by circling back to the beginning.

Short Story – 214 stories

Write a story that ends with one character waiting for the arrival of another.

Kids – 199 stories

Stories

“The Concet ” by MaureenJ Poutoa

Submitted to Contest #42

  The Concert Tom, Sara, and Richard were good mates,  Tom worked on a construction site, Sara worked as a Nurse, Richard worked at a bank. Their favourite place to meet was at the basin reserve pub called the 1860 on a Friday after work around 5:30 pm. They were able to meet up with other friends also, who knew them well. They all met at 1860 on a Friday night as usual, and there was a new buzz in the air. Everyone was talking about the latest band that was coming to the city.   Tom, Sa...

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“The Bird and the Stone” by Kristine Murdock

Submitted to Contest #42

Her name meant ‘bird,’ and mine ‘stone.’ Well, ‘noble stone,’ at least. I met her five years ago at our home school co-op. I got as close to hating her as I could without actually crossing that line; I wouldn’t be able to live with my conscience if I did. She felt the same about me. We would avoid each other continually. Glares from across the hall, and competitions to be the smartest in the class were normal. She thought I was a wimp and a pushover. She was stuck up and a show-off--I have her permission to say that now, since she has long s...

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“The Second Date” by Lauren Oertel

Submitted to Contest #42

Victoria slides down onto the bench and inhales a deep breath of the park’s fresh air as she takes in the sparkling lake in front of her. She scolds her hands for trembling in nervous excitement and shakes them out. Her date with Megan the night before exceeded her expectations and she spent all of her lunch hour today on the phone with her best friend Mario. She recounted each detail to him to make sure the connection she felt wasn’t just in her head.“Wow, Vic,” he interrupted after a few minutes of her vivid descriptions, “I can actually f...

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“Awaiting my Return to Life” by Kylie Oyler

Submitted to Contest #42

The warm summer breeze flew through my golden hair as I leaned against the smooth railing of our boat. The waves crashed against the hull, shimmering green in the summer sun. On the other side of the boat, my father and his colleague were pulling in fishing nets that held hundreds of fish, all trying to escape. My father had finally agreed to let me come along, but he had warned me about the consequences; he had lost three friends on a fishing trip in the exact same spot as we are now.  The weather can change at any moment of the day, h...

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“Where Were You?!” by Christine Hungerford

Submitted to Contest #42

A shout of “Where were you?!” reverberated throughout the hallway. I turned, cheeks hot and eyes widening, as my best friend, Pascal, rushed towards me. Her two-inch high heels clacked loudly on the beige and black tiled cement floor. Teens parted like the Red Sea, some of them whimpering and then scrambling to retrieve their dropped pencils rolling under and sheets of paper flying around her tanned, stick-skinny legs.                    &nbsp...

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“A Trip to Paris” by Rodrian Elias

Submitted to Contest #42

  Sabrina had been waiting -rather impatiently- for this trip for months. Paris was her favourite place in the entire world. Or it would be, once she actually got there.   Her vacation to the City of Love was constantly on her mind, especially since she and her former best friend, Willa, had confessed their feelings for each other and started dating. Sabrina had been excited before, but now that she and Willa were a couple, she couldn’t wait to experience Paris in all of its romantic glory.  She h...

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“Wilcox” by Anne Nielsen

Submitted to Contest #42

      “Wilcox!”           Andy’s name screeched through the wall intercom in the dining room, her back stiffened at the thought of yet another confrontation with Mrs. O’Connor, Montgomery’s cook and in a show of defiance, she ignored the voice as she walked silently along the hallway toward the staff entrance of the kitchen. The swing door opened as she pushed her way through backward, with a quick turn Andy took short baby-like steps toward the counter wher...

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“Love in high school” by Scott Nipper

Submitted to Contest #42

This is the place, underneath these branches of the mighty oak tree I had my first kiss with the girl I loved since third grade, Emilia. Back then it was something that didn’t mean anything to two little kids, nothing more than an act of friendship really. I sat on the swings under the old oak tree. They were a makeshift set of two swings someone made years ago before the rest of the modern park was made; what with its new jungle gym and slides. It had swings, but they weren’t the same as these. Besides these held a special place in my heart...

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“THE PANIC OF SEPARATION” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #42

As is the way sometimes,  the greatest lessons can be learned from the most unexpected sources.  I believe it to be true that man thinks himself superior to other creatures and this is erroneous in so many ways.  There is so much we can learn if we are open and accepting.Yes, it was a day, like so many I have enjoyed recently, a day of learning and understanding, of discovery and connection.  I have discovered a secret and as my story continues,  I will share it with you.  It is one of observing,  not inter...

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“Sleeping” by LeighAnne Ferreol

Submitted to Contest #42

I never thought I'd have the chance to use my acting skills again. He said acting was a stupid career, that it was a useless skill, but it was certainly coming in handy at his funeral. The crocodile tears that rained down my cheeks were more than enough to fool his family and friends. They all looked at me and shook their heads with pity. The poor, grieving widow, a single mother now. It took everything I had not to jump for joy. Ten years, ten miserable years I had spent with this man, and now I was free. No one else knew the way he treated...

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““The Unsolvable Murder”” by XxLeahxx .

Submitted to Contest #42

America’s most unsolved case was a very interesting one for many people. Why? Well, the only thing left at the scene of the crime was the body of a famous actor, a knife, and a note. Before we go into our theory of the crime here’s why we are writing this book. My wife, Lori, and I have been major fans of unsolved mysteries ever since we met. Our dates would be us going over many crimes and we would compare theories. We always watched the movies they would release about the notorious crimes committed. Our personal favorite crime being The Zo...

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“A Little White Lie” by Alton Rooi

Submitted to Contest #42

It was difficult, sad to reflect and complicated to explain why he chose to leave. Stan’s eyes was on the photo he took more than a decade ago. The clarity of the memory was like yesterday, it was him in the center with a black short trouser and blue cotton shirt. On his left was his father, he could now see that he was much taller than his dad. “My younger brother on my right side, always wearing a hat, he did well for himself after graduating in engineering. The last time we spoke he mentioned something about getting married.” There was a...

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“A Stroke of Luck” by Daniel Kleba

Submitted to Contest #42

My head hurts. I’m upside down and my head hurts. There’s blood trickling down into my nose. I think it’s coming from a gash the seatbelt caused but I can’t turn my neck to look. Some lady is yelling at me through the windshield. She looks like an EMT. I can’t hear what she’s saying but it doesn’t matter. I can see another car in the distance with more EMTs around it. The car I hit. The driver is sitting on the road next to her car. She’s screaming and pointing in my direction, probably telling them how I cut her off. How I drifted into her ...

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“Loops” by Aaron Dorondo

Submitted to Contest #42

“Hello friend, and welcome to our humble realm. I will be your narrator for this journey, you can refer to me as William. I want to ensure that you have the best experience possible, so please respect all rules as they were explained to you during orientation. At this time I will need you to acknowledge that you are here voluntarily, and that you have not in any way been coerced by The Entity or any outside entity for your participation. To affirm that the previous statements are true and proceed please enter your 8-digit identification code...

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“He Thought He Was Never Mine by Perry Terrell” by Perry Terrell

Submitted to Contest #42

He Thought He Was Never MineBy Perry Terrell         It was love at first sight for Krista Porter and Vernon Peyton.         Krista’s church from the poor side of town was invited to Vernon’s church for a good old fashioned, back in the day fellowship. Pastor Elliott was very excited to accept the invitation for his members. He had heard about the posh surroundings and bountiful feasts Pastor Turner would have for his guests. Pastor Elliott felt that a ...

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$50

Prize money

903

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 22, 2020 EST

Won by Phoebe Barr 🏆

Title: The Firebird's Answer

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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