The perfect ending: Writers’ epitaphs

“Never met a word count she didn’t exceed, in life and in work.” --Heather Cocks, right, co-author of the young adult novel “Messy” (Jessica Morgan, left)  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

“Well, that was fun.” --Attica Locke, author of the novel “The Cutting Season”   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

“Great, now you want to read my books?” --Samantha Dunn, author of the novel “Failing Paris”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

“Short ride; loved most of it.” --T. Jefferson Parker, author of the novel “The Famous and the Dead”  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“Dry your tears. On with the show.” --Sandra Tsing Loh, author of the upcoming memoir “The Madwoman in the Volvo: My Year of Raging Hormones”  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“On deadline.” --Melissa de la Cruz, author of the young adult novel “The Ring and the Crown”   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)