What are the characteristics of good adult shorts stories?

One great short story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a story about a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. They each sacrifice their most precious possession to buy a gift for the other. It shows the true meaning of love and selflessness.

Another characteristic is their ability to create a vivid world. Despite being short, they use details effectively. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the description of the wallpaper is so detailed that it becomes a symbol of the narrator's mental state. This shows how short stories in 'best short shorts stories' can use few words to great effect in creating a world and making a statement.

Good adult stories often have complex characters. They are not one - dimensional but have a mix of virtues and flaws. For instance, in 'The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby is both a romantic dreamer and a man with a shadowy past.

If 'Shorts Cuts Novel' refers to short novels or short story collections, one characteristic could be their conciseness. They manage to tell a complete story in a relatively short space.

A bear walks into a bar and says, 'Give me a whiskey... and a cola.' The bartender asks, 'Why the big pause?' The bear replies, 'I don't know, I was born with them.' This story plays on the idea of the bear's natural 'pause' in speech which is quite humorous.

Good adult bedtime stories are often calming. They don't have a lot of high - intensity action or drama that would keep you awake. For example, stories set in peaceful natural settings like the English countryside in 'The Wind in the Willows'. They also usually have some depth to them, whether it's in the form of moral lessons like in 'Aesop's Fables' or philosophical ideas like in 'The Little Prince'.

Good adult comedy stories often have relatable characters. For example, in 'Bridget Jones's Diary', many people can relate to Bridget's insecurities. They also have unexpected plot twists. In 'The Hangover', the friends wake up with no memory of the previous night and all kinds of strange things start to unfold. And humor that comes from real - life situations, like in 'Bridesmaids' where the pre - wedding chaos is something many can identify with.

A distinct plot is another characteristic. Take 'The Lady with the Pet Dog' by Anton Chekhov. The plot is simple yet full of nuances as it explores an extramarital relationship in a way that shows the characters' inner turmoil and the consequences of their actions. And they tend to use sophisticated language that can convey deep emotions and ideas without being overly wordy.

Good adult book stories often have complex characters. For example, characters with multiple layers of personality and motives, like Hamlet in Shakespeare's play. He is indecisive yet has a strong sense of justice.

Good adult love stories often involve complex characters. They are not one - dimensional but have their own flaws, dreams, and pasts that influence their relationships. For example, in 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler are both complex individuals, and their love story is full of twists and turns because of their personalities.