A short story is a piece of written fiction usually between 1,000 and 4,000 words. It is simply said a shortened version of a novel that can be read in one go.
There are many ways to write a short story but a common structure is the three act structure. First comes the setup. Here you introduce the scene (for example: place and time) and the characters (the main and side characters). Then comes the confrontation and/or conflict. Lastly comes the resolution.
Example:
1. Once upon a time there was a girl with skin white as snow and lips red as a rose (setup).
2. The girl ate a poisoned apple given to her by the Evil Queen (confrontation).
3. A prince showed up, kissed her and therefore saved her. They got together and now live happily ever after (resolution).
This is an example of a closed ending. You can also leave it open by for example changing the last sentence to "The prince rode his horse through the forest as fast as lightning, dreading losing the love of his life. He could imagine no other as his future wife for once upon a time there was a girl with skin white as snow and lips red as a rose." An open ending leaves you with questions. What happens then? Did he make it? Did he save the girl? Who knows? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Genre
Short stories can be many genres. Here you have three genre you can choose from for your short story: Romance, Mystery and Fantasy. Choose one only.