Julie Tagg

February 7, 2024

Literary Fiction allows you to focus on artistic prose, layered themes, character study, and introspection.

Literary fiction – sub-genre of short stories which has strong emphasis on artistic or stylistic prose, layered themes, character study, and introspection. It is often elevated and poetic, with careful attention to language and imagery. The themes are deep and thought-provoking and delves into the complexities of human nature, society, and relationships.

Character study is another important aspect of literary fiction. These stories go deeply into the minds and emotions of the characters. They explore the characters’ motivations, fears, and desires. The focus is on creating well-rounded, complex characters that readers can connect with and understand on a deeper level.

Introspection is also a key element in literary fiction. These stories often delve into the internal thoughts and reflections of the characters, exploring their inner struggles and conflicts. Through introspection, readers gain insight into the character’s psyche and the larger themes being explored in the story.

Commercial Fiction – offers entertainment based on their action driven plot

Commercial fiction focuses on plot and action-driven narratives. These stories are designed to entertain and often have mainstream hooks to attract a wide audience. Commercial fiction typically prioritizes engaging storylines and may include elements of adventure, suspense, or romance to keep readers hooked. The emphasis is on providing entertainment and escapism for readers.

Romance – romantic love and desire stand at the foundations of the relationships with the characters.

These stories often explore the complexities of human emotions, the challenges of relationships, and the power of love to transform individuals. In a romance short story, readers are taken on a journey of emotional connection, passion, and sometimes heartbreak.

To create a meaningful romance short story, it’s important to delve into the depth of emotions experienced by the characters. This can be achieved by exploring themes such as unrequited love, forbidden love, or the complexities of long-term relationships. By delving into the intricacies of human connection, a romance short story can resonate with readers on a deep and personal level.

It’s important to create well-developed and relatable characters. The protagonists should have distinct personalities, desires, and flaws that drive the plot forward. Their emotional journeys should be compelling and authentic, allowing readers to empathize and connect with them.

A successful romance short story often includes obstacles and conflicts that test the strength of the characters’ love. These challenges could come in the form of external factors such as societal expectations, cultural differences, or personal circumstances. Internal conflicts, such as fear of vulnerability or past traumas, can also add depth to the story and create tension.

Ultimately, a great romance short story goes beyond simply depicting a love story. It explores the complexities of human relationships and the transformative power of love, capturing the universal experiences of longing, desire, and connection. By delving into the emotional depths of the characters and presenting believable conflicts, a romance short story can leave a lasting impact on readers and reveal the complexity of life through the lens of love.

Mystery – Engaging mysteries that revolve around captivating crimes, disappearances, determined detectives, and puzzling investigations.

Mystery short stories are a popular sub-genre that captivate readers with their suspenseful plots and intriguing puzzles. These stories often revolve around crimes, such as murders or thefts, and feature protagonists who are determined to uncover the truth. The mystery genre offers a wide range of narrative possibilities, from classic whodunits to psychological thrillers.

When crafting a mystery short story, it’s important to create a compelling puzzle for readers to solve. This can be achieved through clever plot twists, red herrings, and a well-developed cast of suspects. The protagonist, usually a detective or an amateur sleuth, should be an engaging and relatable character who drives the investigation forward.

To elevate a mystery short story, consider exploring deeper themes or posing philosophical questions. For example, you could delve into issues of morality, justice, or the nature of truth. By intertwining these larger ideas with the central mystery, you can create a more meaningful and thought-provoking story.

Additionally, historical mysteries can provide a unique perspective by examining specific moments in time through a microcosm. By placing the mystery within a historical context, you can shed light on larger societal issues or explore how the past continues to shape the present.

Another way to elevate a mystery short story is to subvert assumptions or challenge genre conventions. Readers often have certain expectations when it comes to mysteries, so surprising them with unexpected twists or unconventional resolutions can make your story stand out.

Ultimately, a great mystery short story should not only entertain readers with its suspense and intrigue but also reveal the complexity of human nature.

Sci-Fi – Speculative “what if” scenarios exploring future technology and its impact.

Sci-Fi short stories are a popular sub-genre that allows writers to explore speculative “what if” scenarios set in the future. These stories often focus on the impact of advanced technology on society, and they can be a great way to delve into themes of humanity, morality, and the potential consequences of scientific advancements.

When crafting a Sci-Fi short story, it’s important to consider the world-building aspect. Create a vivid and believable future world where your characters will interact with advanced technology and face unique challenges. Think about how this technology affects everyday life, social structures, and even the environment.

Additionally, Sci-Fi short stories often pose philosophical questions about the nature of humanity and the ethical implications of technological advancements. Use your story to explore these questions and provoke thoughts in your readers.

Remember, great short stories reveal the complexity of life through singular stories. So, while Sci-Fi may provide a futuristic backdrop, the heart of your story should still focus on the characters and their journey. Their struggles, desires, and growth should be the driving force behind your narrative.

Fantasy – Mythical tales rooted in original magic systems, creatures, and quests.

Fantasy is a popular sub-genre of short stories that allows writers to explore mythical elements and create original magic systems, creatures, and quests. In fantasy short stories, the possibilities are endless, and writers can transport readers to enchanted worlds filled with wonder and adventure.

When crafting a fantasy short story, it is important to create a captivating and believable world. This can be achieved by developing a unique and cohesive magic system that governs the laws of the fantasy world. Whether it’s spells and potions or magical artifacts, the magic system should have rules and limitations to add depth and realism to the story.

Additionally, fantasy short stories often feature mythical creatures such as dragons, elves, or fairies. These creatures can add excitement and intrigue to the narrative, and writers have the freedom to create their own unique interpretations of these fantastical beings.

Quests are another common element in fantasy short stories. Whether it’s a hero’s journey to defeat a great evil or a protagonist’s personal quest for self-discovery, quests provide a sense of purpose and structure to the story. The challenges and obstacles the characters face along the way can create tension and drive the plot forward.

In summary, fantasy short stories offer writers the opportunity to explore magical worlds, mythical creatures, and epic quests. By creating original magic systems, developing unique creatures, and crafting engaging quests, writers can transport readers to enchanting realms and provide them with a sense of wonder and adventure.

Horror – Chilling atmospheres, frightening monsters, gore, violence, and disturbing obsessions.

Horror is a sub-genre of short stories that aims to evoke fear, terror, and unease in the reader. It often features chilling atmospheres, frightening monsters, gore, violence, and disturbing obsessions. Horror short stories can explore the darkest aspects of human nature and delve into the supernatural or paranormal. The goal of a horror story is to elicit a strong emotional response from the reader, whether it be through suspense, shock, or a sense of dread. By tapping into our deepest fears and anxieties, horror short stories can provide a thrilling and unsettling reading experience.