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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

“Vanishing Snow” by Kate Ulrich

Submitted to Contest #42

The day of Christmas Eve I had planned on sleeping in. Stella was spending the morning at her grandparents’ house so I could get a brief rest before cooking Christmas dinner for the family, and so I had nothing keeping me busy until noon. At least, that’s what I expected. At precisely seven o’clock, when my alarm would usually have gone off, the doorbell rang. I groaned and muttered into my pillow. Probably it was just a last-minute gift being delivered, but at seven? I pulled on my robe and shuffled to the door. It was a smiling y...

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“The Moonlit Meadow” by Lourdes Cruz

Submitted to Contest #42

Hibiki LeBlanc was a sweet boy, often found tending to the flowers near the river and communing with animals. In other words, the other boys would find him to be rather odd. Unlike a typical boy who adored sporting events and rough-housing, Hibiki would prefer to be left alone and wander his beloved garden near the river. Due to his sweet nature, he often attracted lost spirits, those whom he would demonstrate his hospitality and kindness to the fullest extent, and would often receive gifts from them. His parents, much like him, were kind an...

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“A Life for Garrett” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #42

No one expected much from Carly. She was a screw-up from the beginning, the "accident" baby who was routinely ignored by her family. She did poorly in school despite her best efforts and private tutoring by the teacher. And even then she barely graduated high school. This was due to not only her grades (marginal) but also her pregnancy (knocked up by the drum major of the marching band). When she did graduate and subsequently delivered her baby (a little boy she named Garrett), she moved out of her parents' home and rented a garage apartment...

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“Today is Monday, 14th April, 2005” by Crystal Lewis

Submitted to Contest #42

Today is Monday, 14th April, 2005. I have a mission. An important mission. A mission I will complete. A mission that will save us all. The endless dawn has risen over the city again and it’s still quiet, sleepy, although never fully asleep. I watched the streets from an unobtrusive shadow, trying to blend in with the scenery. Normally, I would literally melt into the surrounding environment and be completely undetectable. But I wasn’t here to show off.I was here for something far simpler. This time I had decided to follow her. She was the mo...

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“Trampoline” by Crystal Lewis

Submitted to Contest #42

It’s amazing how such small, insignificant things can be the exact opposite. In my parents’ backyard, my old childhood trampoline sits there in the overgrown grass, its glory days long behind it. Rust has claimed most of it now, the sun has bleached it and the woven threads have frayed and come unwound, creating sagging holes.I stand there, looking at it. My parents have decided to get rid of it. No-one uses it anymore, and it’s beyond repair. I tried once to fix it, maybe pass it down to my future kids, or the grandchildren of the family. B...

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“Hollow Winds” by Iris Koga

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #42

Min woke to the wind whistling through the cracks of the window panes and shuddered under the thin blanket, his feet numb in heavy hiking boots. Feeble rays of the sun leaked through the dense clouds heavy with the threat of rain. He shifted on the concrete floor, ignoring the aching in his joints. The layers of sweaters he had scavenged from abandoned buildings that once were clothing stores provided little warmth through the night, and since the temperature had been dropping as winter approached, he had been venturing further from the ligh...

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“An Unexpected Evening” by Charm Elizabeth Merchant

Submitted to Contest #42

“Alright then, let’s get to work,” Mrs. Sharecourt announced first thing Monday morning. “I will give you today to continue working on your assignments. Find your partners please.” As everyone scrambled and chairs were being pulled from desks, Mark checked for Elisabeth, his partner. He spotted her making her way over to him, shoulder-length dark curls bouncing, notebook in hand and her bag secured over her shoulder.“Hey there!” she greeted in her usual cheerful tone, making herself comfortable in the seat beside him. “Hey,” Mark responded, ...

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“Rigor Samsa” by D. Holmes

Submitted to Contest #42

Stella watched the doors slide open.Walk, she told herself. Walk, you coward, it’s just another appointment. The cool air hit her as she entered, giving her goosebumps.She strode down the hallway of the hospital, her fists clenched tightly over the straps of her backpack. Besides the registration desk and the alcove to the elevators, the first floor was foreign to her, but she preferred not to ask for help. Asking for directions always made her feel stupid, as if she were once again the only girl in an engineering lecture who could not under...

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“The Short Story of Love and Loss” by Ivy Spade

Submitted to Contest #42

“Mom! When will Crystal be here?” Amy said for the 100th time. Crystal is Amy's best friend. “Soon, honey!” her mom said. “But… I haven’t seen Crystal in years!” Her mom laughed, “Yes darling, I know! I bet Bubbeh would love to tell you a story of her time during the holocaust!” I laughed. Amy looks at me. “Tell me a story!” I said, “Ok, ok.” I sighed. “I was about 5, it was 1940…”“Mommy!” I screamed as I ran into my mom’s arms. My mom laughed, “Yes sweetie?”“I’m HUNGRY!!!” I said. My mom laughs, “OK. ...

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“Freedom” by Prathamesh Chavan

Submitted to Contest #42

It was first day of high school, it was raining heavily as it was month of June but memories got drifted back to the summer holiday's spent in shimla . It was wonderful view , I would had ever seen golden ray's got settled themselves on white snow over the mountain peak . A large sound came from distance , I took my stuff and went to door ," By mom". I ran in sprint and settled myself to the second seat of bus , it was same old bus with brown leather and interior had might be painted in vacation. I soon met my old friend's from next stop and...

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“In The End” by Vicky S

Submitted to Contest #42

In a deep, expressionless voice the servant announced,” Lady Margaret”, and then stepped back to allow her to pass, discreetly closing the paneled doors behind him. The guards could be heard taking their places again.Taking a deep, steadying breath, Lady Margaret swept into the hall and marched confidently towards the man watching her intently, the hem of her gown sweeping the floor, the sweet scent from the strewn rushes surrounding her.Surprisingly the hall was empty except for the two of them, all the councilors and courtiers absent. She ...

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“The Hanging Garden” by Andrew Zaino

Submitted to Contest #42

A man sat at the edge of his bed in a darkened room. Everything there was clean and in place. All except the man himself. He sat staring into the wall as though it had some great knowledge to give him. The wall had no reply. The entire room was silent. The man finally arose from his seat and left the room. He entered into a large living room, similar to the bedroom, which was very clean, and the walls were all painted white. The light of this open room finally revealed what this man was wearing. It looked like a jump suit, all in white. The ...

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“How Do We Feel?” by Barbara Eustace

Submitted to Contest #42

Today they’ll decide. Today they’ll ask us how we are. How we respond depends on who they ask. If they ask Mr Crowther, I’ll say I’m doing good. In fact I’m doing more than good, I’m doing great. I feel fantastic. Never better. I feel positive about the future. I have plans, ambitions. I want to work in I.T. It’s the sort of thing I’d be good at, not having to work with people, working with code so I don’t get upset. I could make a good fist of things if I did that.I know I’ve got to kee...

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“The night of January 7, 2018” by Keri Dyck

Submitted to Contest #42

The birch tree swayed beneath my weight. The view was glorious. All round me was still and covered in white, then a slight breath of wind rattled the skeleton branches too thin to hold the weight of snow. After it passed, the silence continued without a living creature to break it. I sighed. It was beautiful, and I wished it could just go on. But then I seen a flash and slowly the puttering of a small tractor intruded itself. It startled me at first— I must have really gone far to have ventured near civilization. Well, noth...

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“Once Upon A Time” by Adriana K. Maxwell

Submitted to Contest #42

Once upon a time, there was a father and a girl who did not want to go to sleep. So, the father rubbed her back as she curled up next to him and he told her a story. She liked the ones of other worlds best, of worlds inside puddles, of little girls walking under snowy lampposts. Of great quiet people who could bottle starlight. Of little people with tails who carried needles as rapiers. And the girl would listen, eyes closing so she could see it better. See the mocking mirror crackling and the sh...

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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!

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