Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Menu

✕
CONNECT
Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites
BLOG
Success Stories
APPS
TOOLS
Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships
ABOUT
About Reedsy Terms Privacy

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 boy in my dreams” by Lauren Tobin

Submitted to Contest #42

I dream of a boy frequently.At least once a week, I see his light brown skin, the chocolate pools of his eyes, the loose curls of his hair, hanging down near his face. I see his hands, big and strong, the hands of a boy who will soon be a man.He is a teenager with the build and bone structure of a grown man, but the mischievous spark of a child in his eyes.I see a slideshow of pictures from the time he was a little boy to a teenager. There he is in front of a birthday cake with candles illuminating his face, or clothed in a camouflage hoodie...

5 comments 5
Read story

“'Butterfly' by Maurice Bur” by Maurice Bur

Submitted to Contest #42

He awoke three minutes ahead of the alarm, and since there was now no point to it going off, he disabled the clock. The day was yet to break. So he lay on his back in the dark, hands linked behind his head, listening. His wife breathed quietly beside him. Insects chirped in the yard. A dog was howling in the distance. It was quiet otherwise. It was his birthday, his forty-fifth. 'Old man,' he whispered, grinning. He thought of what might've been, and where he was now. He thought of boyhood buddies who'd gone on to be antagonists in big succe...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Finding Yourself” by Rethabile Ntsane

Submitted to Contest #42

“Hello Mr Maseko!” The new security guard said with a bright smile, Mr Maseko offered a distracted wave as he spoke on his mobile device. He entered into his car and drove off, heading home. The following day, the situation was similar, the new security guard offered greeting, but with a pause ,making way for conversation. “How are you Mr Maseko?” He asked as he made his way towards him. Mr Maseko slowed his pace as he offered a glance at the security guard, only now noticing how old he actually was. Probably three years older than his mothe...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Day One” by Unconventional Perfection

Submitted to Contest #42

I don’t know if I slept last night.  I know I tossed and turned.  I know I laid there dreaming of sleep, praying for sleep – but I’m almost positive it never came.  You know how your mind can play tricks on you, like shadows in the dark looking like people or a dream so vivid you wake in a sweat.  There is a blurry line between the reality of sleeping and actual sleep for me.  It’s constant this whole “trying to sleep” thing.  Some nights I do not even bother, watching the sun rise....

0 comments 0
Read story

“Macabre Madness” by Nusa Zam

Submitted to Contest #42

You are invited to the memorial service for our beloved. We have lost more than a friend, a son, a brother and a father; we have lost our leader.IN LOVING MEMORY OFENRICO VANETTISeptember 8th 20202pm - 2amDuomo di Lecce CathedralRSVP BY AUGUST 31ST - +39 081 459123                                               ...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Black Envelope” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #42

I watched her for over an hour and a half pick pocketing people outside of Hard Rock Stadium at Miami Gardens, Fla. Super Bowl LVI. I was doing Miami police undercover work to protect innocent drunk fans. She was wearing a Victorian inspired long length sheer shift lace dress with fancy cuffs and buttons.  In all honesty she reminded me of some kind of Fortune Teller looking through a crystal ball or reading tarot cards or reading Lipton tea leaves that you just might see in a late night movie starring Gypsy Rose Lee. Then I got to thi...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Waiting For Sunrise” by Robyn Jipp

Submitted to Contest #42

It is frowned upon for my kind to develop romantic attachments, especially with one another. This makes a certain amount of sense when you take into consideration the fact that our lives are lived in shadow, evading the Hunters that seek to wipe us out of existence.Yet it is nearly impossible to make the heart understand reason. This is true even of a heart that no longer beats.Her name was Callie and she was my child. By this I mean that I was the one who bestowed upon her the blessing (or curse) of immortality.Our relationship was at first...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Why Is It? ” by Pre Lig

Submitted to Contest #42

Can I have at least a second of your time? I am busy.You're busy? Oh, is that so? Do you remember when we first started? I got lots of calls and messages from you everyday. And mind you, in those times, you already have work, right? But you had time to call and send messages to me. Now, you will tell me that you are busy? Why, am I not busy too? We are both working. What is the difference between then and now? I do not want to say this, but is it really like this? Why is it that much effort is only in the beginning? Then, everyday ...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Blackout” by Joy Barton

Submitted to Contest #42

July 9. It has only been ten hours and I miss my sweet Clara already. Jordy and little Timmy ask me where their mama went. How but how can a father explain to his two little boys that mama left. And without saying goodbye?Max traced his finger nails along the faint creases in his forehead, as his other hand cradled the black ink pen that spilled his words across the yellow lined paper. How intimate the pen reached the paper, caressing something so bare and blank from its overflow.Max squinted, his eyes tired from the dull, dancing candle lig...

6 comments 6
Read story

“We don't have time for this.” by Darcy Kane

Submitted to Contest #42

‘’You're a fucking idiot, do you know that?’’‘’Yep.’’‘’Next time just shut up, alright? Jesus, pudding?’’‘’Yep.’’‘’You're lucky you're hot.’’‘’Yep. Thank you.’’Tommy was pissed off, not really pissed off, but enough. Our stroll continued as he huffed and puffed along, complaining about how this was a perfect example as to why he always picks up, alone. Look obviously I am no expert but everyone loves pudding, even drug dealers you know. In between his burst of complaining and whining, Tommy was skipping along with a smile on his fa...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Game Night” by Isabela Lopez

Submitted to Contest #42

"I WON"! shouted Ted. Liz rolled her eyes. "You only won this round. Calm yourself. I can't believe you brought me into this. Unlike you guys, I have a life". Liz's parents glanced at each other. Her mom was the one to talk. "If you want to, you can grab your phone. But remember. If you grab that phone, you pay for dinner next week". Liz rolled her eyes. She hated family game nights. She looked at her phone. It was as if her phone was vibrating every minute, telling her to pick it up. She knew it was Emma, apologizing. ‘Good’. She thought. ...

4 comments 4
Read story

“CULTURE CLUB HUNT” by Andrew Grell

Submitted to Contest #42

 CULTURE CLUB HUNTBy Andrew Paul Grell“Has it come down to this, Darby?” Joan and Darby were running out of things to do while stuck in the house. It would be a while before they ran out things to eat, drink and smoke. But sixty-year-old knees could only jog so far, and there was only so much video naughtiness one could endure. Especially with the sixty-year-old thing.“I prefer to think of it as coming up to this. That last couple ruined it for me. Joan, we’re educated people. Learning the piano isn’t really working out for you and teac...

2 comments 2
Read story

“The Corner of Onyx and Lavender.” by Natalie Swift

Submitted to Contest #42

The air was cold that morning. I could feel the rain slowly trickle down as it leapt from the comfort of the clouds to the uncertainty of the concrete below my feet. I was in a good mood on my walk to work that morning. My heart felt content and relaxed. There was no worrying about the future or rushing past the boutique without taking a look. I happened to be wearing my favorite shoes that morning. The bright yellow open-toed pumps that I love so very much. I don’t care what my mother says, best thirty bucks ever spent. I reach the corner o...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Gorhanna” by Tammi Martin

Submitted to Contest #42

My feet hit the ground, my knees buckling from the fall. Everywhere I looked was pure darkness. I blinked, rubbing my eyes with shaking hands. Stars flashed in my eyes from rubbing so hard, but I still couldn’t see. Was I blind? Where was I? My knees were wet and my hands felt slimy. I gingerly stood up, moving my hands up my legs for support. As my hand grazed my thigh I felt something wrapped around my leg. I frowned, feeling it in the darkness trying to figure out what it could be. Touching cold metal, my heart skipped a beat. Fingers mov...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Tersumbunyi (Hidden)” by Heather Ann Martinez

Submitted to Contest #42

Tersumbunyi (Hidden)By Heather Ann MartinezCandles. Big pieces of chocolate fudge. Boxes of powdered donuts sitting on a long blanket overlooking the ocean. This was how I was going to celebrate my birthday if I were alone. If I had not opened my heart, I might not be experiencing the joy that I have. I’ve learned that not all secrets are meant to stay hidden. They have a way of surfacing and setting us free even when we don’t want them to.For years, I did not utter a single word. I knew how to form words. I watched people move their jaws an...

1 comment 1
Read story

$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 | Many Hands | 2024-09

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢

Prompts | Many Hands | 2024-09

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.