What is the short story cycle and how does it differ from other forms of short fiction?

Well, compared to a novel, a short story as a work of fiction is much shorter in length. Novels can span hundreds of pages while short stories are usually just a few pages long. Also, short stories often have a more concentrated plot. In contrast to poetry, which may focus on rhythm and imagery more, short stories have a narrative structure with characters and events. For example, a poem might describe a feeling through beautiful images, but a short story will tell a story about people and what they do.

In short fiction, the nature of knowledge is more concentrated. Due to its brevity, it has to convey knowledge in a more concise and impactful way compared to novels. For example, a short story might quickly reveal a moral truth, while a novel may take chapters to build up to it.

In short fiction, there's less room for extensive world-building and character backstories. It aims to make a quick impact with a tight narrative. Longer works, on the other hand, can explore these elements in greater depth.

Theater fiction is different from other forms of fiction mainly because it is written to be performed. While a novel can be a solitary reading experience, theater fiction is meant to be brought to life on a stage. It has to take into account the visual and auditory aspects more directly. For example, in a novel you can describe a character's thoughts in great detail, but in theater fiction, you have to show those thoughts through actions and dialogues.

Theatre fiction is distinct from other forms of fiction mainly because it is designed to be performed on a stage. For example, a novel can describe a scene in great detail, but theatre fiction has to convey the same meaning through dialogue, actions, and stage settings.

Cinema fiction is different from other forms of fiction mainly because it is a visual and auditory medium. While a book relies on words alone, cinema fiction uses images, music, and sound effects. For example, a horror story in a book might create fear through description, but in cinema fiction, it can use things like jump scares and spooky music.

A novel is usually longer and more complex than other forms like short stories or poetry. It has more room to develop characters and plots in depth.

Short stories are shorter and usually focus on a single event or a limited number of characters. They tend to have a more concentrated plot compared to novels or novellas.

Prose fiction in a novel stands apart from other forms. Poetry often uses condensed language and strict forms like sonnets or haikus. Prose fiction has no such restrictions. It can be as long or short as the author desires. In a love story novel, the prose can be used to describe the gradual development of feelings between characters in great detail. While in a graphic novel, the visual element is dominant along with some prose. But in a pure prose fiction novel, it's all about the written description, character building, and plot progression through text.

Literary journal fiction is typically more focused on literary merit than commercial success. It often contains more complex language and themes compared to, say, pulp fiction. Pulp fiction is more about entertainment and quick reads, while literary journal fiction aims to make the reader think deeply.