To create a truly sad short story, you need to create a connection with the readers. Make them care about the characters. Use sensory details to bring the emotions to life. And have a poignant ending that leaves a lasting impact.
I was home alone one night. I heard a strange knocking on the door. I looked through the peephole but saw nothing. The knocking continued. I decided to open the door. There was no one there. But then, I felt a cold hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a pair of red eyes in the darkness.
To write a really good short story, you need to engage the reader's emotions. You can do this by creating characters that the reader can care about. Build tension in the story. This can be achieved through conflict, whether it's internal (a character's struggle with themselves) or external (a character against another character or a situation). And use language in a creative way. Use metaphors and similes to make your descriptions more vivid. For example, 'Her eyes were like stars in the night sky' gives a much more vivid image than simply saying 'She had beautiful eyes'.
To write really short short stories, focus on one key moment. For example, describe just a glance between two strangers that holds a lot of unspoken meaning.
Keep it simple. Focus on one event or idea. For example, start with a character and a single action like 'A boy ran.' Then add a bit more to it like 'A boy ran. He was late for school.'
Well, first, create well-developed characters that readers can relate to or find fascinating. Then, build a vivid and immersive setting. Also, make sure the story has a clear beginning, middle, and end with a satisfying conclusion.
A really good story often has a theme that resonates with people. It could be about love, friendship, or facing challenges. And don't forget to show the growth and change of the characters throughout the story.
The key is to have a unique and compelling idea. Make your characters relatable and give them clear goals and challenges. Also, a good plot with twists and turns keeps readers engaged.