Popular short short fiction stories also tend to use language very efficiently. Every word counts. They might use simple but powerful language to get their point across. For instance, in 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's spare use of words still manages to convey complex emotions and a difficult relationship situation. They also often deal with universal human experiences such as love, loss, and the search for meaning, which makes them relatable to a wide range of readers.
One characteristic is their brevity. Since they are short short stories, they convey a complete idea or story in very few words. For example, they might be able to create a vivid character or a unique situation in just a page or two.
They are accessible. This means that they don't require a lot of prior knowledge or a high - level vocabulary to be understood. A lot of popular short stories are written in a straightforward style. For instance, many of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, despite their often dark and complex themes, are written in a way that can be easily followed by a wide range of readers.
Many of them might have had strong character development. Since they are short, the authors had to quickly establish who the characters were and what they were about.
They might have had engaging characters. Since short stories need to capture the reader's attention quickly, the characters in 2014's popular ones were probably well - developed despite the limited space.
Popular historical fiction short stories often have vivid settings. For example, in 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', the description of the colonial American countryside makes the story feel real. They also usually feature complex characters. In 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne is a multi - faceted character. And they tend to have a strong sense of time and place, like in 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner which is firmly set in a particular era of the South.
One characteristic is the exploration of scientific concepts. For example, they might deal with time travel, like in 'A Sound of Thunder'. Another is the creation of unique settings. Stories often take place in far - flung futures or on alien planets. Also, they usually have a strong sense of wonder. The reader is made to wonder about the possibilities of technology and its impact on society.
Popular prose fiction short stories often have relatable characters. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the young couple is in a situation that many people can understand - they are poor but in love. They also usually have a clear theme. In 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find', the theme of morality is evident throughout. And they tend to have a strong narrative arc that grabs the reader's attention from the start to the end.
They often have engaging plots. Popular fiction short stories usually draw readers in quickly with an interesting premise or situation right from the start. For example, many mystery short stories present a strange crime or event in the very beginning to pique the reader's curiosity.
They probably had relatable characters. Since these were popular, the characters must have been easy for readers to connect with, whether they were ordinary people facing everyday problems or extraordinary characters in unique situations. These characters' emotions and experiences would resonate with a wide range of readers. Also, the themes would be relevant. Themes like love, loss, friendship, and the search for identity are common and always attract readers. In 2014, short stories with these themes could have easily gained popularity.
Popular short fiction tends to have a clear theme. It might be about love, friendship, or the struggle between good and evil. This clear theme helps the reader understand the story's purpose easily.
Short fiction short stories are often concise yet impactful. They typically have a limited number of characters and a simple plot structure. This allows for a focused exploration of a single idea, emotion, or situation. For example, in many short stories, the setting is not overly elaborate but is just enough to set the mood and context. They can quickly draw the reader into their world and leave a strong impression in a relatively short amount of reading time.