There are cheerful stories which lead to contentment, there are gloomy stories that can haunt you, but what exactly makes any story stand out from the rest? A good story has a certain ‘je ne sais quois’ that captivates the reader into continuing and reading further. It has a certain impression on them that lasts. An impression which makes you feels relatable to the main character or an interesting plot that is so fascinating, you can hardly put the book down. There are numerous characteristics which synchronize into contributing to a successful story and creating a joyful reading experience.
Firstly, a well developed character or two is a significant component to any good story. To be able to see how the character grows and transitions through the stories conflicts makes you feel more connected to them, as if they are real. Character developments allows the reader to see who the characters really are, what they think, how they feel, and it ignites an relationship where the emotions expand, and acceptance widens. We witness a glimpse of a young lady’s life in the The Yellow Wallpaper, as she narrates through the story. For example “I don’t feel as if it was worthwhile to turn my hand over for anything, and I’m getting dreadfully fretful and querulous. I cry at nothing, and cry most of the time. Of course I don’t when John is here, or anybody else, but when I am alone.” Here you can feel sorrow her loneliness and sympathy towards her melancholy. Characters are important as they drive the story as a whole.
Secondly, an interesting plot is another indispensable element to a successful short story. Without a plot, there is no story. The plot is what intrigues the reader in through its various components. A satisfying short story starts off with a bang, engages you in the middle and
