How does interplay of elements of short story create a meaning full whole?

Answer 1

Interplay of elements of short story create meaning by determining what exactly separates a short story from longer fictional formats is problematic. A classic definition of a short story is that one should be able to read it in one sitting, a point most notably made in Edgar Allan Poe's essay "The Philosophy of Composition" (1846). Interpreting this standard nowadays is problematic, since the expected length of "one sitting" may now be briefer than it was in Poe's era. Other definitions place the maximum word count of the short story at anywhere from 1,000 to 9,000 words, for example, Harris King's "A Solitary Man" is around 4,000 words. In contemporary usage, the term short story most often refers to a work of fiction no longer than 20,000 words and no shorter than 1,000. Stories of less than 1,000 words are sometimes referred to as "short short stories",[5] or "flash fiction."

As a point of reference for the Science Fiction genre writer, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America define short story length Nebula Awards for science fiction submission guidelines as having a word count of less than 7,500.

Answer 2

The interplay of elements in a short story, such as plot, characters, setting, and theme, work together to create a cohesive and meaningful whole. Each element contributes to the overall message or central idea of the story, engaging readers and providing a deeper understanding of the narrative. By carefully weaving these elements together, writers can craft a powerful and resonant story that leaves a lasting impact on the audience.