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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

“Memory Lane” by Sheena Deliña

Submitted to Contest #42

Dear love,I have something to tell you.Greeks believed that people are made up of two bodies in which Zeus split into two and let the both of them wander on how and when they will meet each other. It is not what I imagine for myself, really, it's not because it is far from it but because I never really imagined myself finding my other half and feel the essence of being in love, that tinglibg feeking you feel whenever the right one comes across you. Never.Not until you came and turned my world upside down.Until you came, it was when you came ...

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“A Sunset in Southern Spain” by Danielle Jauregui

Submitted to Contest #42

The air was crisp, but the sun was still warm as Laura exited the unassuming building where she worked. It was half past six in the evening—or the afternoon, depending on how you looked at it. Growing up in England, Laura had always regarded this hour as the evening. Back home, it was a time to have supper and settle down for the night, but not in Spain. Particularly in the south of Spain, where she had resided for the past eight years, half past six was the time for an “afternoon coffee,” or a cafecito as the locals referred to it. Half pas...

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“My Best Friend that is Watching Above ” by Mayli S

Submitted to Contest #42

Dedicated to Rainn “As I sit here and think of all the time we had together, and how it felt like you were in my life for so long, I cry to know you’re gone forever and that there’s was so little time spent with each other”, I write in my journal as I finally accepted the news I would’ve never expected to hear. Six months ago I found the most perfect puppy there possibly was. It was a dream come true, it was all happening so fast. I found the one, I was so ready to get him, and in two days I would meet my best f...

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“A Turn” by Sachethan Shanigaram

Submitted to Contest #42

‘Why isn’t there anyone in this bus’ cried Tyler. Cause its school tryouts, day replied Charlotte. On a Saturday, seriously?. ‘Yes and we are the only ones trying out loser’ said charlotte in a sarcastic way. Tyler is a fifteen-year-old tall red-haired boy and his twin sister Charlotte is also tall and has red hair but is much thinner. ‘Hey look Ava’s here ‘said Charlotte in an excited mood. Ava is a short blonde girl who is also fifteen years. Ava came strolling in with a wistful look on her face. ‘What happened to your face’ ask...

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“Daughter of the Sun ” by Akila R

Submitted to Contest #42

My palms are made of fire. I noticed it several days ago, when a horrible itch spread across my skin and I scratched my palms furiously, like a wild animal. Red blossomed like roses underneath my brown skin and they stayed there, blushing prettily. They burn. I’ve been filling the sinks with cold water from time to time and dipping my hands in just for a little relief. Sometimes, my palms feel so hot that I imagine steam rising from the pool of water until it is as scalding as my skin. If I squint hard enough, I can pretend that it has...

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“Sweet Genevieve” by Donald Baxter

Submitted to Contest #42

It's an interesting view. Not that it can last, but still, one has to appreciate the world as it comes, not as we might wish it might be. Clearly, I can see sweet Genevieve, a bruise on her beautiful forehead, the centre of this whole mess. Next to her is Bishop Grandin, the sadistic bastard. The two of them holding hands. What has it been? Two, maybe three days since this all started? It was only yesterday that the Bishop and I had our little meeting. Genevieve wa...

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“Madison's Ribbon” by Noah Lloyd

Submitted to Contest #42

Trigger warning: drug abuse “Hi, my name is Madison, and I’m an addict.” “Hi, Madison,” The group said back. Madison didn't pay much attention to them. They were just nameless faces, with no stories to speak of. They didn't matter to her. The only reason she was here was because she needed to be, and the only reason she was playing along was because she had to. If she didn't, she’d have to participate in these stupid meetings until she did. “Would you like to share exactly what you’re addicted to?” The group leader prodded. She was an older ...

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“It's not your turn” by Yadira Chavez

Submitted to Contest #42

"What?""It is not your turn, it is mine"I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, when I opened them I frowned looking at my sister "It's not fair Kiara, it's my turn, last time it was yours" I reminded her hoping that she agrees with me. "Isn't true Ivonne" Kiara said. "It is and you know it, you can't do it again". "Ivonne" she sighed before continuing "Do we always have to go through this?" "It's not 'always' and it's not fair, it's my turn, we agreed that once it would be your turn, next it would be my turn" I knew that she wanted to disa...

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“Lens of life” by Sara Blanch

Submitted to Contest #42

Pastel streaks blended into a darkening sky, a living watercolour painting for the world to see. Amber watched, her expression calm as her eyes tracked a few fishing and tourist boats chug slowly up the river after their long days. The dark silhouettes of the Great Dividing Range, where ‘ The rainforest met the reef’ breaking up the otherwise pristine sunset with their lumbering dark forms.The gentle pinging of her computer had her attention returning to the screen in front of her as she loaded the latest photos from her camera and pho...

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“The Curse of Empathy” by Magnus Mulyadi

Submitted to Contest #42

When the rags were pulled out of Sukrisno’s head, he found himself in a small unfurnished room, tied to a wooden chair. The room smelled of urine, sweat, and blood. Under him, smudges of blood were still stuck on the floor.Sweat poured from his old worn face and his arms ached. His lips parched and his head spun from hunger. It’s been days since he last ate any proper meals. Three feet from where he was seated, he saw two men in green army uniforms. “Good evening.” the man on the left said. “My name is General Sucipto and this is my sub...

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“Tomorrow to Fresh Woods” by Ted Villamarzo

Submitted to Contest #42

Henry is the kind of man I like. He has that quality to face situations squarely, and when finished, whether in triumph or disaster, can start anew, like the quote of his favorite line from Milton’s poem: Tomorrow to fresh woods and pastures new. His attitude is… somewhat strange. When asked, at the playground where coaches are looking for students to teach: “Hey! Are you a good Tennis player?” “I don’t know,” Henry said, “I haven’t played Tennis before.” I was surprised. Not the standard answer. But it’s just a simple truth for him. ...

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“A Fishy Rescue” by Dorothy Williams

Submitted to Contest #42

A FISHY RESCUE Parrots wait in the trees around the back door as we return from early training in the Pony Club. Seed on the bird feeder sets Libby’s excited tail wagging for her following breakfast in the enclosed verandah. She leaps against the flywire, gloats when rosellas fly circle round and return, realising she’s kidding. Cheeky kookaburras hop up to the wire hopefully to smell her breakfast after swooping on their own. Shy king parrots wait until I take Libby indoors.After loving pats and knee nuzzles I set to...

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“Arrabella Parson” by Kristen Bintley

Submitted to Contest #42

"Tis not in the stars to hold our destiny but in us"- William Shakespeare.CRASH! Slivers of glass littered the floor like stars in the dark. Every crunch of David Thompson' footsteps echoed through my body. The faint glow of a lamp illuminated his muscles, tight with tension and eagerness. He stood firm in front of me, yet I was alone in my house, my darkened home, with nobody but my sub-conscious at my shoulder. The weather was stormy outside, I couldn't bare to look out the window. My eyes were closed to the outside world of betrayal and...

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“Home” by Ellie D

Submitted to Contest #42

There is a house to my left, new, but old in it's fashion. My personal taste does not aim towards it, but my beliefs say that it will make someone proud to present it to a crowd. I built this house, in hopes that someone will want to proclaim it as "home." Their home. Two floors, a simple layout. Maple wood across the floors, furnished with the finest finish, of course. It would need to be polished once or twice a month, a situation I blame children for. The walls hold an alabaster white, not my pick, but the deadline for me to do so was pas...

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“From the beginning to the end” by Leila Adams

Submitted to Contest #42

Claire gritted her teeth, her hands curling into fists, her nails digging into her palm, leaving imprints.How could he leave her like this? A thousand memories swirled around her head, mingling with the anger she felt.They’d met at school, proper high school sweethearts. He was in the year above. She’d been buying sweets at the tuck shop there, only she’d realised she hadn’t enough change. In the queue behind her, he’d paid for her items, mainly so she’d get out of his way! They’d met again ac...

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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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