What are the characteristics of a great first published short story?

A great first short story often has a clear theme. It could be about love, like in many romantic short stories, or it could be about a moral lesson. For instance, stories that teach about honesty or kindness. And it should be able to convey this theme in a relatively short space, usually within a few pages.

Authenticity in the portrayal of the supernatural world is key. If it's a story set in a world with magic, the rules of that magic should be consistent. Also, it often has emotional depth. It can explore themes like love, loss, and friendship within the context of the supernatural. For example, a story about a human falling in love with a ghost and all the challenges that come with such an unusual relationship.

A great short story often has a concise plot. It can quickly draw readers in with an interesting opening. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry, the opening immediately makes you wonder about the couple's situation. Also, it usually has well - developed characters despite its short length. The characters' motives and emotions are clear. And it has a strong theme that can make readers think, like themes of love, sacrifice or human nature.

Hemingway's first published short story was 'Up in Michigan'.

To find Tokareva's first published short story, one would need to consult literary archives, research her early career, and perhaps look into the earliest collections of her works. It might also be helpful to check with scholars who specialize in her writing or with institutions that preserve Russian literature. There could be a particular story that launched her writing career, but without such investigation, we can't name it for sure.

Well, it could be 'The Ugly Little Boy'. This story has some interesting concepts and characters. But there might be others too that were published in the same year.

The characteristics can vary greatly. It might have a simple plot structure to introduce the concept of short - story - telling. It could also focus on a single character or a basic conflict, like a person's struggle against nature or with a simple moral dilemma.

A great intimate short story often has deeply developed characters. Their emotions are palpable and the reader can easily empathize with them. For example, in a story about a couple, you can feel their love, their doubts, and their hopes. Another characteristic is a focused plot. It doesn't meander but stays on the core relationship or emotion. And the language used is usually precise and evocative, painting a clear picture of the intimacy. It might use metaphors to describe the relationship, like 'their love was a fragile flower in a stormy field'.

Often, they are very concise. They manage to tell a complete and engaging story without a lot of filler. For example, 'The Garden of Words' is a short anime movie. It uses beautiful visuals and simple dialogue to tell a deep story about two people who meet in a garden on rainy days and their connection. It doesn't waste time on unnecessary sub - plots.

One characteristic is a strong plot. It should be able to draw the reader in quickly. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the plot about the wishes and their consequences is very engaging. Another is vivid characters. Even in a short space, the characters need to be memorable.