General:
* Tales: A general term for a narrative, often with a focus on imaginative or fictional elements.
* Narratives: A broader term encompassing any account of events, real or imagined.
* Accounts: A factual or historical record of events.
* Chronicles: A historical record of events, typically arranged in chronological order.
* Anecdotes: Brief, entertaining stories, often about a particular person or event.
* Narrations: The act of telling a story.
* Legends: Stories passed down through generations, often with mythical or supernatural elements.
* Myths: Traditional stories that explain natural phenomena or cultural beliefs.
* Fables: Short stories with moral lessons, often featuring animals as characters.
* Parables: Simple stories used to illustrate a moral or religious truth.
* Novels: Long fictional narratives, typically with complex characters and plots.
* Short stories: Brief fictional narratives, typically focusing on a single event or character.
* Articles: Nonfiction narratives that focus on a specific topic.
More specific:
* Adventures: Stories of excitement and danger.
* Romances: Stories about love and relationships.
* Thrillers: Stories that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
* Comedies: Stories that aim to make the reader laugh.
* Dramas: Stories that explore serious or emotional themes.
* Histories: Stories about the past.
* Biographies: Stories about the lives of individuals.
* Autobiographies: Stories about the author's own life.
* Memoirs: Personal accounts of the author's experiences.
Informal:
* Yarn: A story, often a tall tale or an anecdote.
* Tall tale: A story with exaggerated or fantastic elements.
* Rumor: Unconfirmed information passed from person to person.
* Gossip: Talk about the private lives of others.
The best synonym for "stories" will depend on the specific context in which you are using it.