The epistolary form has fascinated readers for centuries. From the early letter-based novels of the 18th century to today’s text-message fiction, storytelling through documents feels immediate, intimate, and immersive. But what does it take to write an epistolary story yourself?
Whether you’re a novelist, a short story writer, or simply curious about the craft, here are some key lessons from literary history along with modern techniques to help you experiment with this unique form.
Learn from the Masters of the Epistolary Novel
Before diving into your own project, study how classic authors used the form:
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Samuel Richardson (Pamela, Clarissa): He pioneered the use of letters to capture inner conflict and moral dilemmas.
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Mary Shelley (Frankenstein): By framing her story as letters, she created layers of distance and discovery.
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Bram Stoker (Dracula): He used diaries, telegrams, and clippings to heighten suspense and realism.
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Alice Walker (The Color Purple): Her letters reveal personal pain, resilience, and love with raw authenticity.
Each of these works shows how the choice of documents shapes not just style but also how readers experience the story.
Choose the Right Form of Documents
Letters are traditional, but modern epistolary writing can take many forms:
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Diaries or journals for personal reflection
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Emails and texts for contemporary realism
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Case files, reports, or transcripts for mystery and horror
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Mixed media (newspaper clippings, social posts, voice recordings) for layered storytelling
The key is consistency. Decide what kinds of documents your characters would realistically produce and stick with that format.
Embrace the Fragmented Perspective
One of the strengths of epistolary writing is that it rarely gives the whole story. Each document reflects only one character’s knowledge or perspective. Use this to:
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Create suspense by withholding information
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Contrast characters’ accounts of the same events
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Let readers play detective, piecing together the truth
Capture Authentic Voice
Because each letter or message is written directly by a character, voice is everything. A diary entry should feel different from a formal report. A text should read differently than a heartfelt confession. Distinct voices add depth and realism to your story.
Think About Timing
Letters and documents arrive with gaps. Unlike continuous narration, epistolary stories often leave spaces of time unexplained. This can:
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Heighten suspense (what happened during the silence?)
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Create rhythm and pacing
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Make the story feel more like real life
Experiment with Modern Epistolary Techniques
Today, epistolary writing doesn’t have to be old-fashioned. Consider:
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Stories told through group chats or Slack messages
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Fictional email newsletters unfolding week by week
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Multimedia combinations of images, transcripts, and text
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Serialized emails delivered directly to readers’ inboxes
These modern experiments show the epistolary form is alive, adaptable, and more relevant than ever.
Experience Epistolary Writing in Action
At Epistories, we create serialized stories told through letters that arrive directly in your inbox. It’s not just about reading epistolary fiction — it’s about living inside it.
If you want to see how modern epistolary writing works in practice, start with a free Epistory today.