Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

Posted in Character on Aug 18, 2023

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✍️ 26 stories

“Gene, Dottie, and Simple Company” by Sahr Singh

Submitted to Contest #212

Dottie hated Gene more than she had ever hated anyone in her life, and that was saying something because she was almost 80 — which is plenty of time to come across people to hate — and because she knew Mitch, her granddaughter’s husband, and everyone who met Mitch hated him the most. Except Dottie. Dottie hated Gene the most, and she wrote to him every Thursday to let him know it: Gene, I can see why your ex-wife left you for another man. Your hippie lifestyle and untraditional values may have been all the rage decades ago, but a ger...

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“Time Travelling Pen Pals” by D.J.J. MIZZI

Submitted to Contest #212

Jacob never noticed the cupboard when he first moved into the building. Why should he? It was no different to any other cupboard, any other wardrobe, nook or cranny (and there were many of them) scattered throughout the house. There were many strange things about the old house he had just moved into, in the suburbs of Melbourne. Such as the oil painting in the living room, or the oddly shaped hole in the wall behind the painting. There was a window that shut on its own and a loose floorboard the creaked unnaturally loud when he stood on it. ...

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“TANGLED WEBS” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #212

TANGLED WEBS “Ella, you cannot be serious. This is insane!” Maureen, Ella’s best friend, banged on the bathroom door where her boon companion had locked herself in. “I can’t do it. I can’t. Just leave me alone”. “Sweetheart, honey, this is it. This is everything you’d hoped for. You can’t just get cold feet now”. Maureen could hear Ella sobbing hysterically behind the locked door and tried desperately to think of how she could resolve this stand off, deciding, after a few moments, that, probably, continuing...

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“The Balmoria Pen Pals” by John-Paul Cote

Submitted to Contest #212

The Balmoria never had any glory days. It was a tenement building that was barely maintained enough to keep the building inspectors at bay. A few dollars here and there also helped. The brick exterior was as much of a sign of the years she had seen as the blinking neon bulbs from the ‘20s for the old girl. Fire had hit it more than once in its hundred-year history. Plywood and faux wood paneling covered the damage. Otherwise, it just meant that the rent would be that much cheaper for the next tenant....

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“Dinner at Riverwalk” by Ruth Ford

Submitted to Contest #212

Seated comfortably within the cavernous confines of the limousine, Crystal Jordan allowed herself to be enveloped into a world of sumptuous, luxurious opulence and comfort. This was a world she had never known before but secretly and often wished. Despite having been a full-time counselor for the past 10 years at Robert Lewis Stevenson Junior High for the rich and gifted; she knew she could never have afforded such magnificence; no matter how much overtime, she put in at school. Inhaling deeply the heady fragrance of the Napa ...

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“Together-Apart” by Carolina Barros

Submitted to Contest #212

Together-Apart She was convinced that he was real. Despite what Clyde thought. Despite the five thousand mile travel to Florianopolis to find a mall where the house should have been. She scowled at the massive building. In its place there should have been a row of 19th-century houses built in the Azores style, popular in that region of Brazil. “Could it be that we got the wrong address?” “Clyde... No! See?” She took out the Polaroid from its envelope. “Look at the picture. It says Rua da Limoeira, right here, across the street.” ...

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“The Tale of the Fox” by Ainsley MacDonald

Submitted to Contest #212

My dear friend, In a classical retelling of the Queen’s Gambit, one Beth Harmon attempts to carve a, should I say, far more prestigious future than that offered to a young woman living during the Cold War. But we’ve come a long way since then, haven’t we? Still, I see the spirit of Queen Harmon within yourself as you exploit every opportunity that may present itself to you until every drop is sucked dry. It’s admirable, really, the way nothing you obtain is ever wasted. It is with great humility that I reach out to you, as I know you ...

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“Letters to Emma Bovary” by Jane Andrews

Submitted to Contest #212

“Lucy Marsh!” The handsome face in front of her broke into a grin. “I didn’t imagine I’d find you in here. What happened to your plans for university?” For a moment, Lucy struggled to place the army officer holding the toothbrush. Was he the brother of one of the girls she’d been at school with until a year ago? “You don’t remember me.” The stranger gave an exaggerated sigh. “And I always gave you top marks for composition too.” “Mr Franklin?” She’d heard he’d been conscripted; hadn’t realised he’d look so dashing in his uniform. At school, ...

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“Mother Knows Best” by Taylor Andrews

Submitted to Contest #212

Includes adult content. “She thinks you hate her.” “I don’t.” My fiancée looked doubtful. He leaned against the counter across from me. “You barely spoke to her the last time she was here. She’s dreamed of having daughters, and you’re the closest thing to one she’ll have.” “I have been nothing but polite to her,” I said stiffly. “I have nothing against your mother.” “And so are you,”he smiles. “Which is why I’m counting on you to make her feel… welcomed.” I didn’t say anything, which he takes as a cue to continue. “I just know...

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“You Had Me At Salve” by Isabella Moore

Submitted to Contest #212

I heard Luna barking and looked at the time. It was around 6:30PM on a Friday and I knew exactly what that meant. “Shush, Luna”, I whispered as I ran out of the front door barefoot in my flowy yellow sundress to meet Derek, the mail man. “Hey Isabella”, Derek smiled, as he handed me my mail. “Hi Derek! Thanks!” I yelled as I ran back inside of my house. I walked to the deck in my backyard with Luna right on my heels. Taking in the sunset that Austin, Texas decided to bless us with that day. I always opened my letters on my deck and ima...

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“The Most Bestest Friends Ever” by Happiest Apple

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Elsie, 20th September 2004 I am Katie. Mommy says I am writing a letter to you. It’s for school. I don’t know who you are, but I hope that we can be best friends. I don’t have a best friend yet, so you can be mine. I am 5 years old, and I love animals and ice cream. Going outside is fun. Do you like to go outside? I love animals. What’s your favorite animal? I love dragons and dinosaurs. They are so cool. Sincerely, Katie Dear Katie, &n...

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Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 26 stories

“Gene, Dottie, and Simple Company” by Sahr Singh

“Time Travelling Pen Pals” by D.J.J. MIZZI

“TANGLED WEBS” by Charles Corkery

“The Balmoria Pen Pals” by John-Paul Cote

“Dinner at Riverwalk” by Ruth Ford

“Together-Apart” by Carolina Barros

“The Tale of the Fox” by Ainsley MacDonald

“Letters to Emma Bovary” by Jane Andrews

“Mother Knows Best” by Taylor Andrews

“You Had Me At Salve” by Isabella Moore

“The Most Bestest Friends Ever” by Happiest Apple

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of a letter, or multiple letters back and forth.

Write an epistolary story set during a major historical event. The event may be the subject of the letters directly, or be referenced in the background.

A mysterious letter is delivered to your character's home. It's not addressed to them, but they can't resist peeking...

Set your story in a post office.

Contest #212

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

304

Contest entries

129

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: