Often, they focus on a single moment or a very narrow theme. They can be very impactful because they cut straight to the core of the emotion or situation. Take 'The Lottery' as an example. It's a one - page story that creates a huge shock with its simple yet dark concept.
Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great one - page fiction short story. It tells the story of a young couple who are very poor but sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other.
They are concise. They have to convey a science - fictional concept quickly, like a flash of an idea. For example, they might introduce a new technology or a different world in just a few sentences.
Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great 3 - page - ish short story. It's about a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. The wife cuts and sells her long hair to buy a chain for her husband's watch, while the husband sells his watch to buy combs for his wife's hair. It shows the selfless love between them in a very touching way.
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.
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.
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.
Writing 3 4 page short stories requires careful planning. Decide on the genre first, whether it's a mystery, a romance, or something else. If it's a mystery, drop hints early on. For instance, in the first page, mention a strange object or an out - of - place event. Develop the characters with just a few strokes. A character's name can also give a clue about their personality. As you write, read it aloud to check the flow. Cut out any unnecessary words or phrases. End with a twist or a thought - provoking conclusion.
Well, 'A Sound of Thunder' by Bradbury also works. It shows the consequences of interfering with the past through time travel in a very vivid and thought - provoking way, all within a short space.