They often offer a quick escape from reality. You can read a funny short story in a short amount of time and be transported into a world full of laughter and amusement. Also, they usually have simple yet interesting plots. In many funny short stories, the plot twists are what add to the hilarity. For instance, when the tables are turned in an unexpected way, like in 'The Ransom of Red Chief' where the kidnappers become the victims.
One funny literary short story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. They each sacrifice their most precious possession to buy a gift for the other, resulting in an ironic and heartwarming situation.
They offer a quick escape. In a short time, you can be entertained by a humorous plot. For example, in 'The Ransom of Red Chief' by O. Henry, the kidnappers get more than they bargained for when they kidnap a wild and unruly kid. It's funny because it turns the expected outcome of a kidnapping on its head.
Well, 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' by Mark Twain is also a funny short story in literary fiction. The narrator is sent to interview a man named Simon Wheeler, who then tells a long - winded and absurd story about a frog - jumping contest. Twain's use of humor and the vivid characters in this short story are quite remarkable.
They often have unexpected twists. For example, in some stories, the characters' reactions are completely contrary to what the readers expect, which creates humor.
Funny literary fiction stories often have unique and eccentric characters. These characters usually behave in unexpected ways, which creates humor. For example, in 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', the characters are constantly in absurd situations and their reactions are quite comical. Another characteristic is the use of clever wordplay. Writers like Oscar Wilde in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' use witty dialogue full of double entendres and puns. Also, these stories may have a satirical edge, poking fun at society, like 'A Confederacy of Dunces' does with New Orleans society.
There might be a story where a little kid mistakes a mop for a giant's hair. He tries to comb it with a tiny comb and the sight is hilarious. In '101 funny short stories', there are many such simple yet funny scenarios that can make you chuckle. For example, a man who accidentally wears his shirt backwards and goes out without noticing, and then wonders why everyone is looking at him strangely.
There are several excellent literary agents for short stories. Trident Media Group is one. They have a large network and can potentially connect short - story writers with a wide range of publishers. Anderson Literary Management is also very good. They are dedicated to promoting unique voices in short - story writing. Moreover, the Sterling Lord Literistic agency is worth considering. They have experience in representing different genres of short stories and can offer valuable guidance to new and emerging short - story writers.
Literary short stories often have a concise plot. They focus on a single incident or a short period in the characters' lives. For example, in Hemingway's short stories, the plots are straightforward yet deeply impactful. Also, they usually have well - developed characters. Even within a short space, the writer can create complex and relatable characters. Moreover, literary short stories use rich language and various literary devices like symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meanings.