Analyzing “Pen Pal” for Emotional Narrative Techniques and Perspectives

Words by Kenzo Fachin

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The three techniques that the authors of Pen Pal use to make the story relatable and genuinely novel.

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“Pen Pal,” the ultimate winner of the first HIS Writes competition, is a short story exploring loneliness, changes, and what it means to be an adult. The story was written by Hana Katayama and Aina Nishi-Strong. If you are interested, feel free to read the entire story by clicking here.

The author of the story, Pen Pal, uses writing techniques of perspective switching, emotion of loneliness, and nostalgia to create entertainment and emotional attachment to the story.

The first technique that Pen Pal uses is the technique of switching perspectives. There are other stories where multiple perspectives are used, but Pen Pal stands out in the smoothness. The writer uses this technique from the very beginning of the second page. In there, there is a switch between Halia and her mother’s perspective. This switch acts as a hook for the reader because of the mention of Halia’s line, “You didn’t raise me, Nana did. You didn’t raise me, Nana did.” This not only emphasizes the phrase but creates opportunities for a reader to connect two stories.

The second and third technique that authors use involves emotions. These two emotions- loneliness and nostalgia- play a pivotal role in how the story of Pen Pal unfolds. The story’s character, Haria’s mother, is the one who feels loneliness.  In the book, “The Emotion Thesaurus, loneliness are characterized as “talking to oneself, fatigue, doubting oneself, a lack of confidence, and anger.” Out of these ‘symptoms,’ the authors of Pen Pal use talking to oneself, doubting oneself, and lack of confidence. One example of this is the line, “Tears streaked down both of our faces. My eyes burned. My heart pounded in my throat.

Once again, I was at a loss for words. Had I failed as a mother? Had I also failed as a daughter?” This sentence does two things: it creates a description for readers to understand the character’s mind and to connect with the overall story’s theme of family. 

The second emotional pillar of the story, nostalgia, is effectively used to deepen the layer of the story further. The emotion is depicted in the line, “From all the cardboard boxes filled with random objects, I was finally able to find the one with all the letters I had kept from Nana. Tears came rushing down my cheeks as soon as I read

Nana's handwriting on the letters.” (Pen Pal) Nostalgia is described as gently touching memorable items and eyes prickling with tears, just like what Halia experienced at the very beginning of the story.  This creation and narrative depiction of nostalgia not only creates a magnetic field for readers to understand the character but also deepens the story as emotions tie into the story theme.

Storytelling is a difficult skill to master and utilize. However, it is possible to make a story compelling by using distinctive and appropriate techniques that story-tellers have used for thousands of years in the context of human history. In summary, “Pen Pal” ‘s writers effectively use the techniques of perspective switching and emotions to make the story enjoyable and gripping.

Lastly, narrative techniques used to analyze the story of “Pen Pal” are inspired by John Truby's The Anatomy of Story and another invaluable writing resource, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman (Author), Becca Puglisi (Author).

Thank you for taking the time to read this analysis. If you haven't already read our inaugural HIS Writes Champion Story, check out "Pen Pal" now!