One common theme is the struggle against nature. For example, in 'To Build a Fire', the man battles the extreme cold. Another theme is human adaptability. In 'Hatchet', the boy has to quickly adapt to living in the wild. Also, the theme of self - discovery often shows up. As the characters face survival situations, they learn more about themselves.
One key element is a believable setting. It could be a post - apocalyptic world, a deserted island, or a war - torn area. Another is a resourceful protagonist who has to face challenges like finding food, water and shelter. Also, there are often threats such as natural disasters, dangerous animals or hostile humans.
Sure. 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane can be considered in a sense a survival short story. It's about a young soldier in the Civil War trying to survive the chaos and his own fears. 'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen is also a popular one. A boy is left alone in the wilderness and has to use his wits to stay alive. And 'The Hunger Games' (which started as a short story before becoming a novel) is about survival in a dystopian world where teens fight to the death.
Once upon a time, in a city still haunted by the memories of 9/11, there was a young boy named Jack. He lived near the site where the towers once stood. Every day, he would pass by the memorial and wonder about the people who had lost their lives. One day, while exploring an old attic in his building, he found a diary. It belonged to a man who worked in the towers. As Jack read the diary, he was transported into the man's life before the fateful day. The man wrote about his dreams, his family, and his hopes. Jack realized that those who perished were not just numbers but real people with real lives. Through this discovery, Jack became determined to share these stories and keep the memories alive.
Here's an idea. A middle - aged woman decides to go back to college after years of being a homemaker. She faces many challenges like age - related discrimination from some classmates, struggles to keep up with the coursework, but she perseveres. Along the way, she discovers new aspects of herself and forms unexpected friendships that change her perspective on life.
The '9 11 Realistic Fiction Short Story' might be centered around the heroic acts that took place during the 9/11 tragedy. For example, it could tell the story of a first responder who risked his life to save others. The realism in the story would likely be achieved through accurate descriptions of the destruction, the fear in the air, and the determination of the people to survive and help one another.
Well, a major theme is perseverance. The characters in these stories don't give up easily. In 'Touching the Void', Joe Simpson doesn't stop fighting for his life even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Another theme is the value of life. Through their survival experiences, they come to realize how precious life is. Also, the theme of isolation is common. Many survival stories like 'I Am Legend' and 'The Road' show characters in a state of isolation, which has a huge impact on their mental and physical survival.
One idea could be a story about a young artist struggling to make a living in a big city. They face rejections from galleries, but through perseverance, they finally find a small coffee shop that is willing to display their works. This shows the challenges and small victories in the pursuit of a creative career.
Start by observing real life closely. Notice the little details, the way people interact, and the emotions they show. That can give you great material for your story.