One way is to think of words like 'narrative'. A narrative can be a long, involved account of events, real or fictional. It has a beginning, middle, and end, and often includes details about characters, settings, and actions.
The term 'yarn' can be a good fit too. It is an informal word for a long - winded story, often one that is told in an entertaining way. Sailors used to tell yarns about their adventures at sea, which were usually full of exciting and sometimes unbelievable events, making them long and involved stories.
You could also consider 'chronicle'. A chronicle is a record of events in the order in which they occurred. It can be a long - winded account, especially if it covers a significant period of time or a complex series of events. For example, historical chronicles that detail the rise and fall of empires, with all the political intrigue, wars, and social changes involved.
Perhaps 'epic'. An epic is a long narrative that often involves many characters, complex plots and sub - plots, and a wide range of events. It can be a story of heroic deeds, like 'The Iliad' or 'The Odyssey' which are classic examples of long, involved stories.
It could be 'yarn'. A yarn is often used to refer to a long, rambling, and perhaps even fictional story.
Another option could be 'parable'. Parables are short stories that convey a religious or moral lesson. While they are generally short, some parables can be more elaborate and thus considered a 'long short story' in relation to the crossword clue. Parables are found in many religious and cultural traditions, like in the Bible for example, and their length and complexity can differ.
Tale. A simple 'tale' can be a long story. It's a very broad term that can cover various types of long - form narratives, whether it's a fairy tale, a folk tale or just a made - up long story.
Novel. A novel is a long written story, which is a very common answer for a crossword clue like 'long story'.
Epics could also fit. Epics are long narrative poems or stories that often deal with heroic deeds and adventures, so they are a great match for the 'long stories' crossword clue. They usually have a complex plot and a large number of characters.
The word 'saga' is also a valid answer. Sagas are long, involved stories, often about a family or a community over a long period of time. They can include many sub - plots and detailed descriptions of events and relationships. For example, the Icelandic sagas are well - known for their long - winded and complex narratives.
A 'tale' could be an answer. Tales can range in length from very short to relatively long. They are a form of short story, and if it's a more extended tale, it can be seen as a 'long short story' which would work for the crossword clue.
First, carefully read the clue. If it's related to a long story, make sure you understand the context of the story it's referring to. For example, if the clue is about a character from 'War and Peace', you need to know the basics of that book.
Some possible clues could be 'saga', 'odyssey', or 'tale that spans time'. They imply a story that's complex and drawn-out.