You can find really good really short stories in some literary magazines like 'The New Yorker'. They often publish short fictions of high quality. Also, there are many short story collections in libraries. For example, 'Interpreter of Maladies' by Jhumpa Lahiri contains really good really short stories that explore various themes such as cultural identity and human relationships.
Ray Bradbury is well - known for his short stories too. His works such as 'The Pedestrian' are thought - provoking and very engaging despite their short length. Also, Edgar Allan Poe. His short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are full of mystery and horror elements, and are considered some of the best in the genre.
One characteristic is a strong emotional core. For example, in a short love story, the characters' love for each other should be palpable, whether it's a sudden spark or a slow - burning affection. Another is concise yet vivid description. It can quickly draw the reader into the story world with just a few words about the setting or the characters' expressions.
You can start by looking at classic horror authors. For example, Edgar Allan Poe has many short creepy stories. His works are often available in libraries or online for free. Another way is to check out horror anthologies. These are collections of short horror stories by different authors. You can find them in bookstores or on e - book platforms. Also, horror - themed websites and forums sometimes share user - submitted short creepy stories.
A short story of friendship could be: 'A woman dropped her books. Another helped. They started chatting and became friends. It shows how a small act can start a friendship.
Most of them are highly impactful. They often leave a strong impression on the reader. Like, they might have a twist at the end that completely changes your perception of the whole story, making you think about it long after you've finished reading.
Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. This story seems ordinary at first but then takes a dark and unexpected turn. It makes you think about traditions and the power of group mentality. It's a short but very thought - provoking piece.
Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great one. It's about a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other, showing deep love. Another is 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant. It tells the story of a woman who borrows a necklace, loses it, and spends years in poverty trying to replace it, only to find out the original was a fake. And 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' by Gabriel García Márquez is also wonderful. It has a touch of magical realism with a strange old man with wings arriving in a village.
You can find really good short stories in libraries. Libraries have a vast collection of books that include anthologies of short stories by various authors. Another place is online platforms like Project Gutenberg. It offers a wide range of free e - books, including many classic short stories. Also, some e - bookstores like Amazon Kindle store have a great selection of short story collections.