Telling Stories Via Text: Epistolary Stories in Digital Form

Explore how to tell a story entirely through modern messages–text threads, emails, group chats, or direct messages. Using the tradition of epistolary fiction (stories told through letters), we’ll build drama, suspense, or emotion by writing what a character sends… and what they don’t.

The workshop includes three lessons, writing prompts, a formatting handout, a Message Fiction Planner worksheet, and writing prompts for future projects.

Draft a short story told through 7-12 messages, practicing how to hint at character, plot, and conflict without traditional narration.

• Understand the structure and appeal of epistolary storytelling
• Use format to shape character, voice, tension
• Practice dialogue-driven fiction with implied backstory
• Create a short epistolary piece using digital communication formats