Well, a close encounter short story could be written by someone like H.G. Wells who's known for his imaginative tales. Or perhaps it's the work of a contemporary author like Neil Gaiman. But we need more info to determine precisely who the author is.
One thing that makes a close encounter short story captivating is the element of surprise. When the characters unexpectedly meet something or someone strange, it immediately grabs the reader's attention. For example, in a story where a hiker has a close encounter with a mysterious creature in the forest. The sudden appearance of this unknown entity makes the story exciting.
I'm not sure who the author is. Maybe you could check some literary databases or search engines for more information.
A unique setting or backdrop can add a lot of excitement. Maybe it's on an alien planet or in a mysterious ancient ruin.
The theme could be about unexpected connections or chance meetings that have a significant impact.
To create a believable setting in a close encounter short story, you need to be detailed. Describe the location vividly. If it's a desert setting for a close encounter with a strange flying object, mention the heat, the sand dunes, and the stillness of the air. This makes the reader feel like they are there.
One well - known case is the Betty and Barney Hill encounter in 1961. They claimed to have been abducted by aliens while driving at night. Another is the Rendlesham Forest incident in 1980, which involved military personnel reporting strange lights and possible alien craft in the forest.
Close encounter stories have influenced fashion and art too. You can see alien - inspired designs in clothing, and many artists create works based on the idea of otherworldly beings. They have made the concept of alien life a common and exciting part of our cultural lexicon, and have led to ongoing discussions about our place in the universe.
I'm not sure specifically as there could be many 'encounter' short stories. It might be about a chance meeting between two people, perhaps a fateful encounter that changes the lives of the characters involved.
I had a close encounter while driving on a lonely road at night. A figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the road. It was tall and white. I slammed on the brakes. As I looked closer, it seemed to vanish into thin air. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.
Well, one characteristic is that there are usually parallel or related elements. For example, in a story about two friends, their actions and fates might be a close match. Maybe they both make the same mistake and face the same consequences. Another characteristic could be that the characters' emotions and the events in the story are in harmony. If a character is very greedy, the events that unfold might be a close match to their greed, like they lose everything because of their excessive desire for wealth.