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

Posted in Short Story on Aug 18, 2023

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✍️ 147 stories

“Goodbye” by Colleen Pinner

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Lilly, I know you will be upset, probably even angry, when you read this. Sorry, but you know I was never any good at goodbyes. It's hard. What if those are the last words you say to someone? Usually, you don't say what you should or what you mean. So what's the point? This is better. I'll tell you all that I should have all those years ago and even recently, and I don't have to see the pain and anger in your eyes. I thought about putting it in three separate envelopes so you could tear up the worst ones before going on, but you know me...

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“Wildfire” by Rudy Greene

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Mom: I hope you and dad are well. I sit here in a large tent with five families contemplating my life and future. Sarah and the kids are somewhere out there, I hope. We are the victims of the new set of Oregon wildfires. It’s Tuesday morning and I still see particles of smoke in the air. My throat is tight, and my lungs burn. I spent most of the night trying to get to my house and contact Sarah, but I had no luck. Earlier this morning I was directed by someone from search and rescue to a large lot at the edge of the city. Ther...

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“The Record” by Gail Cowan

Submitted to Contest #212

April 26, 1925 Meyn Balibte Libby, You have been so near in my mind and my heart in the days since I left our home. I miss you more than you can imagine or sometimes more than I think I can bear. I spent almost two days on a train with guards that took us west to Kansas. I stayed attached by the wrists to our caretakers the whole time, like they thought I was going somewhere. My guard had no humor, and he smells bad, but he is now in the past. The cell is small and dark. Libby, this is not for me. You ha...

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“Canaan Chronicle - Dear Gabby's Advice Column” by Sandra Fischer

Submitted to Contest #212

Ancient Discovery of a Hebrew Scroll Advice Columnist! Translated into English “Life & Times” Scroll – Gabriel’s Advice Column aka “Dear Gabby” Canaan Chronicle – c.1947 BC – Dear Gabby, Some time ago the Lord told me that my wife, Sarai, would be with child and I would become the “father of many”. What a shocker! Sarai split her sides laughing, because we were both well beyond child-bearing years and the chances of our having a child were slim to none. We wondered i...

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“!LetGo” by Ashley Farr

Submitted to Contest #212

April 4, 2023Ms. Amanda Watson451 Mercy AveVineland, New Jersey 08332Dear Ms. Amanda Watson, Our deepest condolences on your recent loss. Jessie was a kind, caring soul, and he will be greatly missed. Your son’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. We are !LetGo, a service dedicated to helping families and friends as they transition through the loss of a loved one. Studies show that 98% of bereaved individuals who participate in grief therapy exercises experience longer term peace and acceptance after unexpected l...

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“Forget This Letter” by Christopher B.

Submitted to Contest #212

You shouldn’t read this. But if you’ve gotten this far it’s already too late for that. It knows you’re there. God I’m sorry. This is plan B, it’s desperate and selfish and probably pointless. But I don’t want to be nothing, less than nothing, whatever it is that looks at nothing and thinks that’s too much. I’m not trying to be funny; I just don’t know a word that does what I need it too. Maybe it ate that first. It eats things and ideas, information in all its forms, it takes them out, out of, this. But the damage they did, the things they t...

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“Object Matrimony” by Clay Thomas

Submitted to Contest #212

OBJECT MATRIMONY By Tom Pyle My Dear Madam McBride, November 24th, 1877 I was greatly heartened to have received your kind letter as of this date. I’ve been counting the days since my ad soliciting a correspondence courtship with the object of matrimony was posted in the New York Times. Please pardon any abruptne...

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“Letters of the Blue Light ” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #212

Aug. 22, 2023 My dearest Milagro, I sit bathed by the glow coming through the etched blue glass of your lamp. Finding your carved desk with your own bronze name plate on it too, at the antique auction, was so exciting. My collection of antique books, your original volumes of poetry and novels, are stacked on the desk that was yours. In the quiet of the evening, with soft light streaming through the delicate etchings on the blue glass of the light I can almost sense your presence. The shadows of the room seem to hold you...

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“Dear Father” by Annette Coulter

Submitted to Contest #212

23 August 2023Dear Father,I really wish we had been able to get to know one another better…. Of course that was impossible because you died when I was eleven. Do you realise that we were very glad that you did not return home…. After your accident we didn’t even know you were in hospital… Well, of course, Mother must’ve known… but we children had no idea.From my current life perspective I can honestly say that I had no idea where you were for those six months in late 1959 and early 1960.I did not know that you had fallen out o...

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“Love, Ezra ” by Emma Chavez

Submitted to Contest #212

This story is about the act of stalking. Nothing graphic or violent happens! Thank you for reading! June 25th Dear Ezra, First- I’m so sorry it has taken me so long to write to you again. I promise I didn’t forget about you. I’ve been so busy and things have been so crazy. I made sure I had time to write to you today though. It’s important. I put the date at the top. Do you remember what day that is? It’s our three-year “anniversary.” I put it in quotes because our relationship is based on nothing but these letters. The other day I...

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“Do You Remember? and I Miss You.” by Cierra Lynn

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Sarah M., I don't find this world too amusing anymore. This morning I awoke to thoughts of grandeur snuffed by circumstance and cat hair up my nose. We used to be children. Do you remember that? Not long ago we were both just tots falling down playing tag and getting grass stains on our knees. Now I'm on the cusp of adultness, but I'm not adapting as I should. I find myself crying in the bathroom at work. And then disassociate from reality when I get to the car on the drive home, unsure completely of how I got there. I feel the empty su...

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“Goodbye, My Narcissist ” by Destiny Lilû

Submitted to Contest #212

Three years seems to have flown by far rather quickly, wouldn't you say? It seems three years ago we fell madly in love, eating pizza and getting wasted after a joy ride to Erieau Beach. It seems three years ago we first learned what love was after we almost lost it all. Three years ago when we first made each other promises or even breathed a genuine I love you. It was three years ago, that I never once fathomed we would be here, in this very situation and that it would be with you. The truth is, if I knew now what I knew three years ago......

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“A letter from the marked one.” by Janina Kaho

Submitted to Contest #212

Coast of Finland. 1798. My sunshine, my Tilda, My sincerest wish is that this letter finds you safe and well at Whitefire Isle. The risk of returning to Engberg's orphanage is one I might never take, even though it fills me with regret. I still wanted you to know what happened to me and that at least for now I am safe. I have yet to figure out who in the orphanage knew what I was and how the Witchhammer had heard about me residing there. And why now? The main intention of this letter is to thank you, Tilda. On the night,...

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“Cora's Letters” by Andrea Corwin

Submitted to Contest #212

Day five, January 18, 1964 – Alaska or Bust Dear Mom (and Dad), We are somewhere in the Yukon, driving day and night. You disapprove of this move, especially driving to Alaska, but please know we will be okay. It’s an adventure for this Midwest girl! The studded snow tires grip the road well (usually). Picture this, Dad – we tied our old waterbed frame to the roof of the van, placed our boxed belongings into the frame, covered it with tarps, and tied it down with heavy straps. Along the road or when stopping for fue...

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“Water Cooler Rendezvous” by Don Tucker

Submitted to Contest #212

To: sbrennan@harperaeronautics.comSubject: Tuna SandwichDear Susan,I have left several notes on the refrigerator in the break room, but it keeps happening. Three times in the past two weeks, my sandwich has gone missing. My friends and family call me boring; I like to think of myself as a man of routine. For the twelve years that I have called Harper Aeronautics my home, I have eaten a tuna sandwich on rye bread for lunch. Now I know what you're thinking, why would my dedication to tuna sandwiches and how I prepare them be of a concern to Hu...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 147 stories

“Goodbye” by Colleen Pinner

“Wildfire” by Rudy Greene

“The Record” by Gail Cowan

“Canaan Chronicle - Dear Gabby's Advice Column” by Sandra Fischer

“!LetGo” by Ashley Farr

“Forget This Letter” by Christopher B.

“Object Matrimony” by Clay Thomas

“Letters of the Blue Light ” by Kristi Gott

“Dear Father” by Annette Coulter

“Love, Ezra ” by Emma Chavez

“Do You Remember? and I Miss You.” by Cierra Lynn

“Goodbye, My Narcissist ” by Destiny Lilû

“A letter from the marked one.” by Janina Kaho

“Cora's Letters” by Andrea Corwin

“Water Cooler Rendezvous” by Don Tucker

🌟 Similar prompts

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.

Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

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: