The importance of the opening line in a story is well known but how about the closing line? No one has ever said a word to me about how to agonize over the last line in a story so I thumbed through a few books in my library and found a whole new world, the world of closing lines. Here, let me share some with you:
Plum lucky by Janet Evanovich © 2007 by Evanovich, Inc.
I counted to twenty and opened my eyes. Diesel was gone … and so was my bra.
MX Is the Way to Go. ‘Bye, a column by Dave Barry © 1982 & 1983 by Feature Associates
These questions deserve a lot of hard thought, which I intend to give them as soon as I’ve had another drink.
“R” is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton © 2004 by Sue Grafton
So here’s what I’ve learned. In the passing drama of life, I’m usually the heroine, but occasionally I’m simply a minor character in someone else’s play.
Fashionable Worries a story by P.J. O’Rourke © 1994 by P. J. O’Rourke
(And a memo to Generation X: pull your pants up, turn your hat around, and get a job.)
“D” is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton © 1987 by Sue Grafton
I thought I heard a siren wailing, but the sound was mine.
In Sickness and in Health, a column by Erma Bombeck © 1993 by Erma Bombeck
Of course that was before I delivered my first child and bared my bosom to a doctor in the hall to ask, “I’m nursing. Does this look normal to you?” only to have a nurse tell me he was a telephone repairman.
Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich © 2008 by Evanovich, Inc.
I felt his hand on my ass, and I stood and turned to face him, but he was gone.
Some Sound Ideas, a column by Andrew A. Rooney © 1982, 1983, 1984 by Essay Productions, Inc.
The tapping, tapping of my typewriter as the keys hit the paper is a lovely sound to me. I often like the sound of what I write better than the looks of it.
Parliament of Whores by P.J. O’Rourke © 1994 by P. J. O’Rourke
The trouble is, in a democracy the whores are us.
Surviving Motherhood, a column by Erma Bombeck © 1996, 1997 by the Estate of Erma Bombeck
I yelled at the top of my voice. “I hope you have identical twins … two weeks apart! May your patio face southwest. May your father belch loudly at the father-son banquet. May you have a rainbow over your playpen!” When they get home from school, I’ll think of some more.
Anti-Insurance Policy, a column by Dave Barry © 1982 & 1983 by Feature Associates
If this approach doesn’t work, you should try vicious dogs.
Dear John, An Open Letter to John McCain by Bob Rockwell © 2008 by Bob Rockwell
America doesn’t need another C student.
God Needs the Money, a column by Dave Barry © 1982 & 1983 by Feature Associates
So there you have it: a list of people not to trust. You should be grateful you have someone like me, working for the Public Good, with Your Interest in mind. God wants you to send me money.
Spices, a column by Erma Bombeck © 1996, 1997 by the Estate of Erma Bombeck
The Egyptians were buried with their spices. I know which one I’m taking with me when I go.
The Law of the Jungle by Carl Hiaasen © 1996 by Carl Hiaasen
Every mammal for himself.
©2009 by Bob Rockwell
Too Much Tequila, Too Little Sunscreen 
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