popular fiction short stories

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.

One common theme is the exploration of human relationships. In these short forms, authors often focus on the dynamics between two or a few characters, like love, friendship, or family relationships. For instance, in some short short fictions, a brief encounter between strangers can reveal a lot about human connection.

One popular short short fiction story is 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez. It's a magical realist piece that tells the strange encounter of a village with an angel - like old man.

Sure. One popular short short fiction story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other.

Thriller short stories are very popular too. They keep you on the edge of your seat with fast - paced action and unexpected twists. Additionally, slice - of - life short stories, which depict ordinary life in an interesting and often poignant way, have their own following. These can range from stories about a single day in a person's life to a series of related events that show the human condition in a relatable way.

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.