Scotland’s Stories writing prompt: Formative friendships

You can also access this prompt in Gaelic.

Scottish Book Trust is asking people all over Scotland to submit their true, personal stories of Friendship. Use this story prompt to find inspiration for your story and ideas of things to write about. 

Submit your story

Formative friendships (letter writing)

When you think about friendship, your mind might go to the friends of your youth. The people that gave you a better sense of who we are, or wanted to be, and set you on your path. The friendships you had when you were just learning what friendship means. 

Just as our childhood experiences can shape who we become later in life, the friendships we make when we are young contribute to who we are – for better or worse. 

“Time doesn't take away from friendship, nor does separation.” – Tennessee Williams

In this writing prompt, we’ll ask you to consider the formative friends you’ve made in your life and write a letter to one of them.

Warm up

On a sheet of paper, write down a list of the names that come to mind when you think about formative friendships. Try to remember the friends you had when you were young – they might have been classmates, family friends, neighbours, friends you met online or people you met by chance. They might be fondly remembered, or almost forgotten. You might have lost all contact with them; they might be just a friend on social media; or maybe they remain a big part of your life.

Next to each name, write down the first word or phrase that comes to mind when you think about them. This could be an description of them – were they kind, fun or challenging? – or memories of things you did or went through together. It might be how they made you feel or ways they influenced you. 

Brainstorm

Look back over the list you’ve created. Pick out 2–3 of the names you’ve written down and begin to flesh them out, adding more words, phrases or sentences that come to mind. You might like to do this in a mind map to help you get your ideas flowing. 

As you write, start thinking about what you might like to say to your old friend in a letter. Think about the things you never got the chance to express, or the things you wish you had the courage to tell them. Maybe your ideas will express how much you miss them, or how much you appreciate them still being in your life. Remember, friendships can be complicated and the thoughts you write down doesn’t necessarily need to be positive.

Get writing

It’s time to get writing! Take a look back at your list and your mindmap, and decide which person you’d like to write your letter to and the memories, thoughts or feelings you are going to focus on. Which ones stand out to you? Which would be most powerful or cathartic to write about?

Start by addressing the person you’re writing to – you can use a pseudonym. Remember, you don’t have to send this letter or share it with the person it’s written to if you don’t want to – this is an opportunity to write freely, truthfully and from the heart.

Your letter to your friends can say anything you want it to. It could be based around your memories of the friendship, exploring a significant moment or event that sticks with you to this day. It could be a thank you to your friend, for being there for you or changing your path. If brainstorming brought up some difficult feelings around that friendship, it might be chance to tell them something that is difficult to say, to get closure. You can write your letter as the you you are today, or put yourself back in the mindset of yourself when you were in that friendship.

If you get stuck, refer back to your mindmap for more ideas to explore or memories to weave in. If you’re really stumped, come back your letter in a few days’ time – you might find a change in mood or mindset gives you more time to process your thoughts or helps you see it in a different way.