What is a short story?  Simplistic answer – any story that isn’t long.  Although the short story has many noticeable features that help define the form, a comprehensive definition remains elusive.  Perhaps this is where the beauty lies.

Many would agree that most short stories revolve around one event, with a small cast of characters, a compact time frame with limited plot.  Many writers have at times provided guidelines. These are great general guidelines, but like all rules, they are meant to be broken (or at least bent).