The Last Word

In case you haven't noticed, I'm prone to flights of whimsy. For the past few weeks, I've been involved in Karin Tabke's First Line Contest. I'm out, but my friend Elisabeth is still in (her lines are fabulous, too).

Anyway, I got to thinking about the last lines of books. So I dug through my files and here are the last lines on my manuscripts:

What Mattered Most: “I love you, O’Reilly.”

Truth and Consequences: “I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted, right here.”

His Ordinary Life: Smiling up at him, Barbara nodded.

Hold On To Me: “All the time in the world, precious, but right now, I want to hold on to you, just for a while longer.”

A Formal Feeling: And so was he.

Anything But Mine: Together.

Memories of Us: “That’s what I love about you most.”

Hmmm. Somehow, final lines don't seem to have the impact first lines do. Maybe last paragraphs would be better. What do you think?

Do you have any favorite last lines from books you love?

Memo to Sgt. Adam (Fish) Williams

Fine. Whatever. I have edits to finish. Research papers to grade.

Here's a key to the Basement. Go hang out with the rest of them.

***

Note to self: Ask Steph about the best way to handle insistent military heroes.

Memorandum

To: Linda Winfree, author

From: Sgt. Adam "Fish" Williams

Subject: Going Away

***

No.

Excuse me. Make that: "No, ma'am!"

Attention, Angie and Fish!

Go away.

Get out of my head.

Yes, I know he's being sent to Fallujah. I know all about your hidden feelings. I know he's ready to force the subject.

But I have edits to finish.

I have another book lined up to write, and I can't see y'all being a whole book. Do you, really?

So . . . be quiet and go away for a little while, 'kay?

'kay.