For beginners, 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway is excellent. It's a simple yet profound story about an old fisherman's struggle with a big fish. It has straightforward language and a powerful message.
Well, 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck is also a good choice. It's a short and poignant story about two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression. It explores themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh reality of life.
They usually have a small number of characters. Since there is limited space, the author can't develop a large cast. In 'A Rose for Emily', the main focus is on Emily and the townspeople's perception of her. Also, 5 - page short stories tend to have a quick - paced plot. There's not much room for long, drawn - out build - ups. They often start near the inciting incident and move rapidly towards the climax and resolution, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman's mental state deteriorates quite quickly.
They are concise. In just 10 pages, they need to convey a complete plot. For example, they usually have a focused theme, like in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, which is about the consequences of vanity.
First, come up with an interesting concept. It could be a unique relationship, a strange event, or an interesting character. Then, create an outline. For a 5 - page story, you might have an introduction that sets the scene in about half a page. Then, develop the plot over 3 pages with rising action, a climax, and some falling action. Finally, conclude the story in the last page and a half, tying up loose ends.
Often, 20 - page short stories tend to have a limited number of characters. This allows for in - depth exploration of the main characters' personalities and motives. In 'The Cask of Amontillado', the two main characters are explored thoroughly in a relatively short space, making the story full of tension and mystery.
First, come up with a strong concept. It could be a unique character, a strange situation, or an interesting relationship. Then, create an outline. Plan the beginning, middle, and end. For a 20 - page story, you might want to start with a hook in the first few pages to grab the reader's attention. Develop your characters gradually, showing their personalities through actions and dialogue.
There was a young man named Tom. He worked in a busy city but always dreamed of adventure. One weekend, he decided to take a hike in the mountains. As he climbed higher, he got lost. But instead of panicking, he followed a small stream. Along the way, he saw beautiful wildflowers and heard the songs of birds he'd never heard before. Eventually, the stream led him to a small, idyllic meadow. He realized that sometimes getting lost can lead to the most wonderful discoveries.
Often, 3 - page short stories focus on a single theme or idea intensely. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' as an example. In those few pages, it delves deeply into the mental breakdown of the female protagonist due to her confinement and the lack of agency she has. It's all about the exploration of her psychological state.
First, start with a strong opening. Grab the reader's attention, like with a strange event or an interesting character. For example, you could start with a character waking up in a strange place. Then, introduce the main conflict. It could be a problem the character has to solve or a goal they want to achieve. Next, build up the story with events and interactions. If it's about a detective trying to solve a crime, show the clues they find. In the middle, there should be a turning point. Maybe the detective thinks they have the wrong suspect. Towards the end, start resolving the conflict. And finally, end with a satisfying conclusion, like the detective catching the real criminal.