Very short fantasy stories are known for their economy of words. They use just enough language to spark the imagination. They often have a touch of mystery. For instance, a story might start with a strange sound in the forest at night, leaving the reader to wonder what it could be. They also tend to end with a bit of a twist or a sense of wonder. Like a story where a girl thinks she's found a normal stone but it turns out to be a dragon's egg.
One characteristic is their quick pacing. Since they are short, there's no time for long - winded build - ups. They get right to the action or the strange, fantastical element. They also tend to leave a lot to the reader's imagination. For instance, a story might end on a cliffhanger, and the reader has to imagine what happens next. They can also play with different fantasy tropes in a very condensed way, like a twist on the hero's journey in just a couple of paragraphs.
Sure. One very short fantasy story could be about a little girl who finds a magical key in her attic. When she turns the key in an old, dusty door, it opens to a world full of talking animals and floating islands. Another is a story of a wizard's apprentice who accidentally turns his master into a frog and has to go on a wild adventure to find the antidote. And there's a story where a lonely star falls from the sky and becomes a friendly, glowing companion to a poor shepherd.
There are several places. Libraries usually have anthologies dedicated to short stories, including fantasy. Check the short story section. Another option is e - book platforms such as Kindle. They have a wide range of short fantasy works available for purchase or sometimes for free.
Focus on one key idea. For instance, if you want to write about hope, build a short story around a single image like a flower growing through a crack in the pavement.
The best markets for very very short stories include ezines such as 'Daily Science Fiction'. They are always on the lookout for short and engaging stories. Social media platforms can also be considered. For example, Twitter has a growing community of 'Twitterature' where people write and share very short stories. You can also look into self - publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. You have full control over your very short story's publication and can potentially reach a global audience.
One night, I heard a strange scratching at my window. I peeked out, but saw nothing. Then I heard it again, closer. Suddenly, a pale face stared back at me.