The Scent of an Ending Contest Even More Finalists 2010-2011

the ending of

A Writer's Triumph Over Persecution

by Laura Loomis lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with many animals and some people

Mary Sue finally found an editor who wasn't an idiot, and he published her book. She won a Pulitzer, a Nobel, and a special new award named after her. Mary Sue moved to a solid gold house and wrote on a solid gold typewriter, while personal trainers massaged her and fed her grapes. Then she bought all the publishing companies, and fired the editors who'd turned her down.

She hired a private army to round up the contest editors who had passed over her entries. She lined them up and yelled, "Thank you for your interest - and I wish you the best of luck placing your work elsewhere!"

Then she pulled out their rejection letters and killed them with paper cuts.

the ending of

The Rock in the Ring

by Elaine J. M. Shaw retired writer with a few dozen grandkids, but who's counting?

So now, Jeremy's ring with a rock the size of a radish, flashed like blue lightning.

Just as I was about to grab Jeremy's unreliable, cheating hand holding the super-sized rock, the doorbell rang.

I yanked the door open. There stood Sheriff Silverstar.

"You seen anybody with new-found riches 'round here?"

I stepped aside and motioned him in. Silverstar went straight for Jeremy. Cuffed him. Grabbed the ring. Pushed Jeremy out the door.

"Well, that's that, old boy," I yelled after Jeremy.

Then Silverstar looked back at me, flashed the sparkler and winked.

I shut the door. He'd be back.

the ending of

Watching Tail Lights

by Angel Holliday has long term plans to write more than one paragraph

It didn't matter at this point anyway. None of it did. All the dandelions and pink fuzzy slippers in the world wouldn't bring her back now. He knew that for a fact because that's the last thing she said right before she drove off. He was sure she meant it this time. Regrets weren't usually his style, but for this he'd have to make an exception. He really wished he had listened when she tried to tell him how to operate the new satellite dish.

the ending of

The Best Professor

by Peter Derk a Colorado librarian whose life reeks of bad endings

I learned a lot that year. I learned the value of one's virginity has nothing to do with the thread count of sheets on which it's lost. I learned to always light a fine cigar with a wooden match and to enjoy it with a friend. I learned to drive by my childhood home without my mind wandering to stop inside.

As this handsome, bearded man struggled with the gearshift of his Volvo, I laid my hand on top of his and pressed us into second gear. This older man who went from professor to lover would teach and be taught for many years to come.

As we left, leaves crunched underneath worn tires, seeming almost to chatter about our future.

the ending of

A Wing and a Prayer

by Jeff Jeter has had many jobs and belonged to four exclusive organizations, one for smart people

So anyway, turns out Carol wasn't really a vampire, just an incredibly sloppy eater.

Me, I've decided to give up the superhero game and go back to my first true love, telemarketing.

We walk to the corner, where Slim used to sell his pencils, and wait for the bus.

Shep hikes his leg to taste his naughty bits.

Tomorrow's just another word for maybe.

2010-2011 Finalists Continued

Home