Can you give more interesting ways to write a short story apart from the common ones?

Sure. How about starting with a character doing something completely inappropriate for the situation? Like 'The priest walked into the bar and started break - dancing.' It's unexpected and funny. Another is starting with a false fact presented as real in a humorous way. 'Scientists have recently discovered that unicorns are actually allergic to rainbows. And this is the story of one unicorn's quest for an umbrella.'

Fables. Fables are short stories that usually feature animals as characters and convey a moral. For example, Aesop's Fables are well - known around the world.

A short story can end with a new beginning. For instance, a character who has been through a lot finally decides to start a completely new life in a different place, giving a sense of hope and change.

Episodes can be regarded as parts of a story or as a story in itself in some cases.

There are words like 'diabolical'. This implies something devilish, something that is extremely evil and cunning in a very scary way. 'Horrific' is another strong word for scary stories. It describes something that is so bad and terrifying that it can leave a long - lasting impression on the reader or listener. 'Hideous' can also be used, especially when describing a really grotesque or ugly and scary character or situation in a story. These words can add more depth and intensity to the horror in a scary story.

Well, there are 'haunting' which gives the idea that the story stays with the reader long after it's been read. 'Gripping' is another one, just like 'enthralling', it makes the reader hold on tight to the story. Also, 'riveting' which means extremely interesting and holding one's attention firmly. The story might be about a mystery or an adventure, and these words would be very suitable to describe how it draws the reader in. It's not just about the plot, but also how the characters are developed and the setting is described that can make a story 'riveting'. For example, a story set in a post - apocalyptic world with complex characters fighting for survival can be 'riveting' as it combines elements of danger, hope, and human nature.

Another set of phrases could be 'In a different light' or 'With a newfound determination'. 'In a different light' can be used when a character is seeing a situation or another character in a changed way. For instance, if a character has had an epiphany and now views their rival in a more sympathetic light. 'With a newfound determination' is great for when a character has made a decision and is about to take action. It gives the paragraph a sense of purpose and forward momentum. This can be very engaging for the reader as they anticipate what the character will do next.

Literary work. Novels are a significant part of literary works. This term is a bit broader but can be used as another way to refer to a novel, highlighting its place in the realm of literature. Novels are often studied and analyzed as important literary works due to their complex characters, themes, and narrative structures.

Tale. It has a sense of a story being told, much like a novel. For example, 'The Canterbury Tales' is a collection of stories that could be considered as a group of mini - novels.

Yarns. This is a more informal way of referring to stories, often used when the story might be a bit tall or exaggerated, like sailors telling yarns about their adventures at sea.