What are the qualities of a short story?

One quality is integrity. A character with integrity sticks to their moral principles no matter what. For example, in a short story, a detective could refuse bribes while solving a case, showing integrity. Another quality is courage. This allows the character to face difficulties or danger. A young hero in a short story might bravely enter a haunted house to save a friend. Also, compassion is important. A good character feels for others. Like a kind old woman in a story who takes in a homeless child out of compassion.

They should be responsible. For example, if there is a problem in the community such as pollution or a broken public facility, they take the initiative to solve it. They don't wait for others to do it. In a short story, this could be shown by a character who cleans up a dirty alley or reports a broken streetlight. Another important quality is being respectful. They respect the rights and opinions of others in the community. This can be seen when a character in a story listens to different viewpoints during a community meeting without interrupting or being rude.

One quality is the ability to create engaging characters quickly. Since short stories have limited space, a great short story writer can make the reader care about the characters in just a few paragraphs. For instance, O. Henry was great at this. His characters were often ordinary people in extraordinary situations.

One of the qualities is a distinct mood. Whether it's a spooky, happy or melancholic mood, it sets the tone for the whole story. Another quality is the pacing. A short story has to have a good rhythm, not too slow that it bores the reader nor too fast that it seems rushed. Also, it has to have an engaging opening. This hooks the reader from the very start, like starting with a mysterious event or an interesting character introduction.

One important quality is their ability to communicate effectively with the writer. They need to be able to convey their suggestions in a way that is helpful and not overly critical. Another quality is their knowledge of different literary devices and how to use them in short stories. For example, they can help with the proper use of foreshadowing or symbolism to enhance the story. They also have an eye for detail, noticing small inconsistencies in the narrative that might disrupt the reader's immersion. And they are well - versed in different genres of short stories, whether it's mystery, romance, or science fiction, so they can help the writer stay true to the genre's conventions while still being creative.

Some important qualities in children stories are simplicity, so that kids can easily understand. Also, they often have vivid characters like brave heroes or cute animals that children can relate to. And there is usually a moral lesson, for example, teaching kids about kindness and honesty.

A good story should have an engaging plot. It grabs the reader's attention from the start and keeps them hooked until the end. For example, in 'The Lord of the Rings', the quest to destroy the One Ring creates a captivating and complex plot.

A great plot is also a key quality. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. There should be some sort of conflict, like in 'The Lord of the Rings' where there is a battle between good and evil for the fate of Middle - earth. This keeps the audience engaged.

One key quality is perseverance. Self - publishing short fiction can be a challenging process, with many tasks to handle. The best people don't give up easily. For example, they keep working on their stories, revising and polishing them until they are the best they can be. Another quality is independence. They are able to make decisions on their own, like choosing the right cover design or the best price point for their work.

Effective portrayal of good character qualities in a short story can be achieved by using descriptions. For example, if the character has wisdom, you can describe their calm demeanor and thoughtful eyes. The character's internal thoughts can also be a great tool. A character with loyalty might think about how much they value their friends and would never betray them. Moreover, the conflicts they face can show their qualities. A kind character may still be kind even when they are treated badly by others in the story.