creative writing on unlikely friendship

7-Steps to Developing Deep Friendships in Your Novel

by Erin G | Characters | 5 comments

By Erin Ramm

What would Lord of the Rings be without Frodo and Sam’s friendship?

Would How to Train Your Dragon be nearly as heartwarming without Hiccup and Toothless’s friendship?

How can we learn to create friendships as iconic as Han Solo and Chewy?

Besides characters, well-developed relationships is the second thing I look for in great stories.

And I love nothing more than powerful friendships.

Good friendships can turn an okay story into a memorable one. Not only do friendships make the readers care about the story more, it adds more emotional weight to the story.

But here is the problem.

Good relationships are difficult to write.

You thought writing romance was difficult ?

Well, writing friendships is a whole new level of difficulty.

Romances usually rely on professions of love and staring into one another’s eyes for lengthy periods of time. But how do you develop great friendships?

So today, I am going to give you 7 things you need to do to develop your friendship.

1. Make Each Character Their Own Person

If a character’s only purpose of the story is "be the friend", then I guarantee you that he is going to be a flat and uninteresting character. This will ultimately lead to a friendship that no reader will be invested in.

All the same character creation rules apply to your friend too.

I am surprised by how many times this occurs in stories. You have your main character, and then his 1-dimensional friend who might crack a joke every once in a while.

Let’s take a look at a good example of a friend, shall we?

Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings isn’t just “Frodo’s friend” who tags along.

He is a gardener. A cook. He has a fascination with elves, a crush on Rosie, and a bad habit of eavesdropping. He is loyal, brave, and can persevere even when there is seemingly no hope.

Tolkien makes you care about both Frodo and Sam. And that's why you cheer for their friendship.

You see this is in Toy Story as well. Even though Woody and Buzz both have the same goal - to escape Sid's house - they each have different internal journeys. The story means different things to each of them.

Woody learns to not be as selfish and Buzz struggles with accepting that he is just a toy.

So before you move onto the next step, flesh out both of the characters in your friendship.

Do both of these characters have a history?

Internal journey?

Other relationships? Friends? Family?

This is the most vital step.

Once you nail this down, you will have a strong foundation to develop your friendship further.

2. Give Them Something in Common

Now that you have established that these two characters are their own persons, you need a reason for them to be friends. What brought them together? What makes them friends? What gives them a reason to hang out with each other?

You need to give them similarities.

This can be a number of different things.

At first, in Wreck-It-Ralph, both Wreck-It-Ralph and Vanellope seem to have nothing in common. But once Ralph visits Vanellope's cave, he realizes that they actually do have a lot in common.

Both of them are outcasts. Both of them are lonely and live in places that are basically junkyards. Both of them just want to change their fate and be something great in their respective video games.

This gives them a common ground, and from then on, the two of them are able to communicate and get along better.

So what makes your two friends similar?

How can they bond over these similarities?

How do these similarities connect them in a meaninful way?

3. Give Them Meaningful Differences

Now that we have established their similarities, it is time to dig deeper and create meaningful differences.

Don't just make your characters different. Give them meaningful differences that can build off of each other.

With meaningful differences, your two friends’ can help support their strengths and build them up during their times of weakness. This all leads to a strong friendship.

Here are some great ways to give them differences:

One friend can be really smart in terms of intelligence while the other friend is just really good at using her hands and inventing things.
One friend might be good at coming up with plans, while the other friend might be good at improvising when the plan goes awry.

2. Conflict Resolution

A bully is bothering them. One friend might want to go and blow up at the bully, while the other friend chooses to just ignore it
They are in an argument. One friend might try to talk things out in a diplomatic way, while the other friend just likes to play devil's advocate and throw more heat into the argument

3. Personalities

One friend is confident and sly while the other one is quiet and awkward
One is cold and determined and the other is more relaxed and compassionate
One is an easy-going pleasure seeker, and the other is a serious planner

4. Method of Action

When faced with an obstacle, how does each friend try to get around it?

Both friends are trying to break into a house. One will look up videos on youtube about how to pick a lock. The other friend will just break the window with a rock.
The two friends are trying to persuade someone to do something. One friend uses bribing techniques, and the other friend uses a more passive-aggressive approach.

5. Reaction

The two friends will also react differently to major events or situations. One might have a relatively negative reaction, while the friend will have a positive reaction that aids them through the challenge.

One friend with freak out and the other friend will stay calm
One friend will get discouraged and want to give up, and the other will encourage him to keep going
One person is terrified out of their mind, while the other tries to stay positive

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your two friends?

What meaningful differences separate your two friends?

How do their differences complement each other?

4. Give Them a History That Shines Through

If your two friends have known each other for a while now, by no means do you want them to seem like they just met each other yesterday.

What you need to do is throw out hints that these friends have known each other for a while. You need to make the readers curious about these two friends and their history with each other.

And even if your characters meet within the timeline of the story, sneaking in hints that these characters are learning more about each other is a great way to develop your friendship.

How can you show this?

Here are a few ways to show that they have a history with each other.

Give Them an Inside Joke

Giving your friends a joke that only the two of them share really illustrates that this is a special friendship.

This will hint at their history together, and make the reader wonder and imagine about your story.

Give Them a Silly, Ongoing Argument

Your friends aren’t always going to agree on everything. And their points of conflict don’t always have to be some dramatic issue.

They can be arguing over which one is better: Star Trek or Star Wars.

They can argue over whether pineapple belong on pizza or not.

Or maybe they argue over who is the taller one.

Giving them a silly, ongoing argument will make the characters feel real and simultaneously reveal different shades of their personality.

Not only that, but it also offers a window into how they handle arguments between themselves. Who is the one that gets really worked up? Who is the one who makes all the great points?

Just a quick warning, don't drag it on too long and make it irrelevant to the story. You can end up annoying your readers . If you manage a good balance, this can be a great addition to your story.

Utilize Nonverbal Communication

When you can start communicating with someone without words, that's when you really know someone.

For example:

Let your characters be comfortable sitting in silence with each other
Use gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning to each other
Give them an unspoken rule
One friend asks a question, the other answers with silence
They can predict what each other are going to do

They Know Each Other's Likes and Dislikes

Perhaps the two have been friends for so long, that they know each other's go-to coffee order. At their next coffee shop meeting, one friend can order for the other without asking.

So how can you show your friends history?

Or, if they just met, how can you start adding these elements into your friendship as the story progresses?

5. Create a Glue

What is keeping your friends from parting ways? Without something to keep them together, your two friends might grow apart.

What is the glue that keeps this friendship intact? This can be a character, a goal, or the two of them are just thrown into a situation where they can't get away from each other.

One friend is the gardener of the other
The two of them must deliver a secret message to a Jedi
They both go the same extracurricular club
They are toys who both have been captured by an evil kid who likes to torture toys
One friend can't achieve his story goal without helping the other friend win a cart race

So what keeps your friends from separating?

Do their goals, values, and personalities contribute to this in some way?

6. Create Meaningful Scenes

Now that you have all the key components to an amazing friendship, it’s time to develop it through your story.

Insert a few key friendship moments in your novel and show your reader the power of this relationship.

Here are some ideas:

One friend gives the other a gift
They play a game together
They share a jacket
They eat food together
They teach each other something
One friend gives the other a foot massage 🙂

What are some friendship development scenes you can add into your story?

7. Don’t Make Their Relationship Perfect

If you can nail down all the other 6 points, you are on your way to a pretty perfect friendship.

Wait a minute.

You don’t want a perfect friendship.

People aren’t perfect, and your friends can’t get along together all the time.

I’m not saying that you should stuff in a bunch of contrived conflict between your friendships.

Instead, set up situations that will naturally occur because of who these characters are, and what they believe. (This is why step 1 is so important)

Maybe their differences get the better of them.

Maybe they react differently to a pivotal event in your novel.

Maybe one of the friend's internal demons gets the better of him, and the other friend has to call him out on it. This only results in more tension between them. This is an especially brilliant method to enhance a character arc.

Or simply make their friendship a more complex.

Perhaps your two characters look out for one another, but they are always being compared to one another, and they need to overcome their deep feelings of jealousy for each other.

They work well together, but one friend is keeping a lot of secrets from the other.

For an example from a movie, let’s turn to Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon.

If How to Train Your Dragon was a simple story of a boy and his dragon who always got along then the story would not have been nearly as poignant

The fact that it was Hiccup who injured Toothless adds a layer of complexity to their relationship. Guilt propels Hiccup to do whatever it takes to earn Toothless’s trust and make things right.

Thanks to this hurdle in their relationship, the story becomes so much more compelling, and their friendship moments feel more earned.

Frodo and Sam didn’t both agree that it was a good idea to bring Gollum along. Frodo’s idealism and Sam’s suspicion clashed as they tried to decide if they should trust him. Ultimately, Sam’s loyalty prevailed, and he allowed Frodo to appoint a ticking bomb as a guide through Mordor.

These complications and character differences not only add to your story, but watching these characters overcome these obstacles and still come out as friends makes your friendship feel more real, deep, and deserved.

Are the friendships in your novel too perfect?

How can you add complexity to their relationship?

What character differences and character flaws must these two friends overcome in order to keep their friendship intact?

How do they overcome these obstacles? And how does their friendship deepen as a result?

If you can figure that out, your friendship will rise to a whole new level.

These tips can apply to pretty much any relationship. Lovers. Siblings. Frenemies.

So the next time you sit down to write a friendship, ponder these tips and keep them in mind.

And your characters will become more than just "acquaintances" or characters who are "friends" in name only. They will possess a deep relationship that will become one of the highlights of your story.

Now, on to you.

What is your favorite fictional friendship?

What do you think made it so great.

Let us know in the comments!

Erin is a writer, graphic designer, musician, and language lover.

She began writing with an Adventures in Odyssey fanfiction, and she hasn’t stopped dreaming and writing about stories since.

Erin was a huge fan of Kingdom Pen before its two-year-long hiatus. Seeing the potential of Kingdom Pen, she wanted to join the attempt to revive it and help writers make a bigger impact.

Outside of writing, some of Erin’s favorite things to do are talk with her siblings, learn languages, play the violin, listen to soundtracks, and eat frozen mango.

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This was such an amazing article! I can’t wait to dive into my characters’ friendships and flesh them out.

Figuring out no. 4 might be tricky tho 😉

My favorite fictional friendship is Jo and Laurie in Little Women! Their personalities and interactions are so fun to read – both personal and with the rest of the March family. It’s so hard to find platonic relationships btwn teenage girls and guys. I can relate to Jo being best friends with a guy and not getting along well with other girls

They share a jacket? I’ve only ever seen this in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, where Finn the ex-stormtrooper keeps Resistance pilot Poe Dameron’s jacket because he believes his new friend is dead (even though he isn’t, as we see later–there’s a spoiler, sorry). What other stories are there where something like that happens?

This is a great article! Thanks. I like the character friendship of Robin and Mev from WolfWalkers. They are around ages 10-12 and become friends as they both turn into wolves. One of the scenes that show their friendship that makes them like sisters is a scene where Robin (who is a bit older) brushes Mev’s hair and gives her a flower and she promises to find Mev’s mother. (later in the show, to show the conflict between the girls with betrayal, Mev crushes the flower Robin gives her and runs off.) I am writing a relationship with two sisters in a medieval time period (sort of like the Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan) and I am so excited because I already have all these points complete for the sister’s friendship! Now I just need to write. I am so happy.

Informative, well-phrased, accurate advice that I appreciated very much. 10/10

30 Best Friends Writing Prompts and Story Ideas

Ever stare at that blinking cursor, willing for a story about true friendship to come into existence?

Been there, done that (a million times).

The truth is, even the most magical friendships need a little spark to get the words flowing.

That’s where these prompts come in!

Consider them your personal writing sidekicks, ready to help you craft a tale about the laughter , the tears, and the unshakeable bond between best friends.

So, grab your favorite pen (or fire up your laptop), and let’s dive in!

Story Ideas

The Scavenger Hunt: You find a mysterious note tucked inside your locker—just your name and a cryptic clue. It’s clearly from your best friend, known for their elaborate surprises. This is the start of a scavenger hunt through places filled with shared memories, leading you to an incredible secret or a long-awaited prize.
Trapped!: During a weekend camping trip with your best friend, a freak storm destroys your tent and leaves you stranded miles from civilization. It’s you and your best friend against the elements, working together with ingenuity and courage to find a way back home . Will your friendship be able to endure the pressure and stress?
The Shared Dream : You and your best friend have always shared an uncanny connection. One night , you both have the same vivid dream—a world that seems both fantastical and strangely real. Is it just a coincidence, or is there a deeper meaning, a hidden message you’re meant to decode together?
The Rival: A new student transfers into your school and instantly becomes the center of attention. Your usually laid-back best friend is suddenly obsessed with outdoing this newcomer at everything. This competitive streak threatens to break the bond you share. Can you help your friend before their rivalry destroys everything?
The Road Trip: With just backpacks and a vague destination, you and your best friend embark on the spontaneous road trip you’ve dreamed about since childhood . Quirky roadside stops, unexpected encounters, and the freedom of the open road test your friendship and lead to surprising self-discoveries.
The Time Capsule: When you were children, you and your best friend buried a time capsule packed with mementos and promises for the future . Years later, it’s time to dig it up. As you rediscover the treasures from your past , you can’t help but compare those childhood ambitions to where your lives are now.
The Switch: An urban legend in your town claims two people can switch bodies if they touch a strange stone at midnight. You and your best friend, always up for a bit of mischief, decide to test the myth . Imagine the chaos when you actually wake up in each other’s lives the next morning!

The Secret Society: While exploring an abandoned house, you and your best friend stumble upon a hidden room. Old papers inside hint at a forgotten secret society with ties to your town. Intrigued and a little uneasy, you embark on a mission to uncover its history , discovering hidden truths along the way.
The Pen Pal Mystery : One day, a letter arrives addressed to your best friend. There’s no return address, just beautifully written words describing a life achingly similar to their own. It’s the start of a correspondence that feels deeply personal, but the mystery of this pen pal’s identity gnaws at you both. Could it be someone closer than you think?
The Talent Swap Challenge: You and your bestie are polar opposites; one is creative , the other organized. Bored one afternoon, you challenge each other to create something in the other’s preferred style. This simple dare leads to hilarious trial-and-error and, perhaps, a realization that there’s hidden potential in areas you’ve never explored.
The “What-If” Experiment: What if we’d chosen that other path? This is the question that sparks a day of alternative choices for you and your best friend. You dress as you never would, order food you dislike, and maybe even act a little bolder than normal. This experiment might make you realize your comfort zones are holding you back or bring a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Guardians of the Keepsake: An elderly relative with a touch of eccentricity entrusts you and your best friend with a small, insignificant-looking object. They swear it’s vital that this item is protected… but from what? The responsibility creates a sense of shared purpose, and maybe there’s even a hidden adventure tied to this strange keepsake.
The Double Date Disaster : You and your best friend are set up on a blind double date. It’s a catastrophe from the first awkward introductions. Stuck in this cringe-worthy situation, your friendship and humor are put to the test. Could this night of disaster become the source of your funniest inside jokes ever?
The Fandom Feud: When your favorite band/ book series/ sports team is the subject of debate, arguments tend to erupt between you and your best friend. A playful rivalry is fine, but what if an online troll warps your enjoyment? It becomes a test of putting your friendship before a fleeting fandom obsession.
The Kindness Project: Tired of negativity in the world, you and your best friend decide to commit a summer to spreading goodwill. You begin with small anonymous acts, leaving encouraging notes in books or paying for someone’s coffee. But as the project grows, you learn an important lesson: kindness can ignite a chain reaction and change your community in unexpected ways.

Writing Prompts

The Laughter Files: Think of the funniest, most side-splitting moment you shared with your best friend. Describe what happened in vivid detail. Why does that memory still make you smile or even laugh out loud?
The Soundtrack of Our Friendship: If you had to create a playlist of songs that remind you of your best friend, which ones would be on it? Explain why those songs capture the essence of your friendship. Perhaps there’s even a song you both consider “your song”.
If We Were Superheroes : Imagine you and your best friend are a superhero duo. What would your superpowers be? How would your powers complement each other, and what kind of awesome adventures would you have?
My Friend, My Mirror: True friends help us see ourselves more clearly. What’s one important thing you’ve learned about yourself through your best friend? Has your best friend helped change you for the better in some way?
When I Need You Most: Everyone goes through rough patches. Recall a particularly difficult time in your life, and how your best friend helped you through it. What did they do or say that had the biggest impact?
A Letter of Gratitude : Imagine you’re writing a heartfelt letter to your best friend expressing everything you appreciate about them. What qualities do they possess that make them an exceptional friend? Let them know how positively they affect your life.
Future Adventures: If you could go on any crazy, once-in-a-lifetime adventure with your best friend, what would it be? Where would you go, and what amazing things would you do together? Let your imagination run wild!

Friendship Goals: Think about the kind of friend you strive to be. How can you be an even better friend to your bestie? Describe a few specific ways you want to support, encourage, and love your best friend.
The Time Capsule: If you and your best friend created a time capsule to open 10 years from now, what would you put in it? Think about objects, photos, or notes that represent your friendship today and the hopes you have for the future.
Words of Wisdom: What’s the best piece of advice your best friend has ever given you? How did this advice help you or change your perspective?
The Compliment Challenge: Write down as many wonderful things about your best friend as you can. Don’t hold back! Focus on their personality, talents, and everything else that makes them amazing.
The Dream Team: If you and your best friend could start any project together (a business, a creative project, a volunteer initiative, etc.), what would it be? Describe your idea and why you’d be a fantastic team.
Through the Years: Write a timeline of your friendship with your bestie. Mark important milestones, funny moments, and the times that cemented your bond.
The “What If” Game : Ask some silly and thought-provoking “what if” questions related to your friendship. For example: What if you were both characters in a book? What if you had to switch places for a day? What if you could travel through time together?”
Paying it Forward: How did you meet your best friend? Think about the kindness, openness, or shared interest that led to your friendship. How can you pass on that same type of welcoming energy to help someone new feel connected?

Founder and Chief Content Curator @ Digital Phrases

I'm a writer, words are my superpower, and storytelling is my kryptonite.

Writing Prompts

56+ Writing Prompts About Friendship

To all the wonderful friendships out there, we dedicate this post to you. In this post we have listed over 56 writing prompts about friendship. From the moment friendship blossoms to the moment where we pinky promise on being ‘best friends for life’ – It’s time to get writing about friendships of all kinds!

Friends can get us through the toughest of times, and be there for the happiest of moments. They help us navigate that complicated thing called life. Without friends many of us would be lost, alone and even sometimes clueless. In this post we have included a mix of reflective, creative and journal prompts about friendship. So whether you’re looking to tell an inspiring tale of two friends, or looking to write a letter to your best friend – We got you covered.

What does friendship mean to you? What do you value most in a friend? For example, is loyalty important to you or having a kind, caring friend?
If you had a billion dollars, do you think that you can buy friendship with it? How would these friends be different to the friends you made without any money?
Do you remember the first friend you ever made? Write down the story of how this friendship started. Are you still friends with this person? If not, what happened?
Are all friends the same or are there different types of friends? Make a list of the different types of friends a person might have.
What is the best memory you have of yourself and your friends? You can make a list of your favourite moments and pick one to describe in detail.
When was the last time you got into an argument with your friend? What was this argument about?
Do your friends know everything about you? Are there any secrets that you have kept from them? If yes, then why?
Make a list of all your friends. Next to their names, write down one quality you admire most about them.
Write a story about three best friends who get into an argument about money. Their friendship is at a breaking point, but can they turn it around?
A new girl starts at your school. She quickly becomes close with your best friend. Suddenly you feel like an outsider. Continue this story idea.
The best kind of friends are your pets. Write a story about a young boy who has a learning disability and struggles to fit in at school. With the help of his pet dog, he finds a way to make friends and feels included in society.
What would it be like to be friends with someone that you can’t stand? How would you overcome this problem? Would you continue being friends with them, or end your friendship?
Why do you think it is important to have friends in life? What are the benefits of having friends? Does everyone need a friend?
What would you do if you disagreed with a friend on a certain topic? Would you go along with their opinion or state your own view?
What is the difference between real friends and fake friends?
What kind of activities do you enjoy doing with your friends? You can make a list of your top ten activities to do.
Write a how-to guide on how to make friends to help anyone who is feeling alone.
What things do you have in common with your friends? And what differences do you have?
When was the left time you told your friends that you appreciate their friendship? Write a letter to each of your friends. You can talk about your favourite memories, and mention all the things you like about them.
Write a story about a teenager who is going to lose their best friend forever. Their best friend might be sick or moving away to a whole new country. What emotions will they experience and what actions will they take to make their friendship last?
What is one thing that you will never forgive your friend for, and why?
What is the main reason that makes you want to become friends with someone?
Would you rather have ten friends or one very close friend? Explain your answer.
In times of need, are you comfortable with asking your friends for help? Or do you deal with bad situations alone?
If you had a bad day, who would you talk to first, and why?
Do you have a friend who you haven’t seen in years? If you saw them again would the friendship pick up right from where you left it?
Have you ever lost a friend? What happened and why?
Are there any negative or toxic friendships in your life right now? What can you do about this?
Describe the perfect friend. Think about their personality, appearance and interests.
What is the nicest thing you’ve ever done for a friend?
Your friend’s birthday is coming up. What kind of gift would you get them?
What place do you and your friends like hanging out at, and why?
Your best friend calls you and tells you a secret that changes your friendship forever. Write down this conversation between you and your best friend.
Write a story about a character who becomes friends with their worst enemy. How do they become friends? Why were they enemies in the first place?
Imagine the following scenario: You are sitting at home in your pyjamas. Your house is a mess. One of your close friends unexpectedly knocks at the door. What would you do?
How would you support a friend who is going through a hard time? What can you do to help them?
Write a short story about a cat who becomes best friends with a mouse. Naturally, cats and mice are enemies. But in this tale, you can write about the friendship between two natural enemies discovering a true friendship.
Imagine the following scenario: You have two best friends, but you can only sit with one on the bus to school. What would you do in this situation? Who would you pick and why?
Plan a party for all your friends to celebrate your friendship. What would be the theme? What kind of food would be served? Will it be a fancy dress party? What kind of entertainment would you provide?
Tell the story of two best friends that live in different countries. You can write this story in the form of letters that they send each other. You can use the following title for your story: Letters From A Friend.
Complete the following sentence in at least six ways: Without my friend, my life would…
What is the longest friendship you had? How long have you been friends with this person? Why do you think this friendship lasted this long?
Do you think you are a good friend to others, and why?
Would you rather have a million dollars or a best friend? Explain your choice.
What is the most difficult part of having friends, and why?
Imagine the following scenario: You and your friends get into trouble for stealing something. The teacher asks each one of you about the incident. You know that one of your friends is lying. What do you do?
Would you rather have a pet as a friend or a human friendship? What are the differences between the two friendships, and similarities?
Imagine the following scenario: You have a best friend, but they are friends with a person that you hate. What would you do if you saw them hanging out? How would you react in this situation?
Do your friends have any influence on the things you like and dislike? For example, if your friend decided to become vegan, would you also follow this choice? Another example, is the way you dress – Is this influenced by your friends?
Imagine the following scenario: You send a text message to one of your friends. They take hours to respond, which is unusual for them. What do you do? How would you react in this situation?
What makes a person a ‘best friend’ in comparison to a ‘friend’?
When was the last time you laughed with a friend? What made you laugh, and why?
Do you and your friends have any traditions that you follow? Maybe you do something every year to mark your friendship? Or have a monthly dinner party at one of your houses?
What is the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you? Explain this in detail.
If an alien landed on Earth and asked your friends to describe you, what would they say? What words would they use to describe your personality, appearance and interests?
How is making friends different when you are younger compared to when you are older. Take for example if you are in elementary school compared to making friends in high school.
Make a list of every person you can think of that has helped you in your life. You can keep adding to this list regularly.
You recently got into an argument with your friend. That friend comes over to your house to apologise. Write down the conversation that takes place.
Imagine the following scenario: You are in the playground, and you see someone being mean to your friend. What do you do? How would you react in this situation?
Make a list of some things that you have learned from your friends. For example, they might have taught you some new skills or words.

How to Use These Prompts

Our master list of over 56 writing prompts about friendship is complete. Here are some ways you can use these prompts:

Class Discussion: If you are a teacher, you can pick one or a couple of these prompts to discuss with your students in class. Ask your students to share their own ideas and thoughts on friendship and write them on the board. You could even give each student a sticky note to write, so they can share their personal thoughts on friendship. In the end, you can collect all the sticky notes and add them to a ‘friendship’ board in the classroom.
Group Discussion: In groups of 2 to 3 students, give each group a different friendship prompt. Then each group can discuss the prompt in detail, writing their ideas down. In the end, you can ask each group to present their ideas to the class.
Solo Prompt: Ask each student a random prompt from the list above. Then each student can write in detail about their own experiences of friendship.
Daily Challenge: For 60 days straight, can you complete each prompt above? By the end of the 60 days, you will have a collection of notes and writings relating to friendship. You might also be interested in our 365-day writing challenge .

Did you find these writing prompts about friendship useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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20 Friendship Fiction Writing Prompts

By Rebecca Parpworth-Reynolds

Are you writing a novel that centers around a group of friends? Do you need some friendship fiction writing prompts? Check out the 20 below!

1. Friend or Fiction?

A little girl grows up alone most of the time, and so ends up creating an imaginary friend in order to get up to all sorts of adventures together. By the time she reaches high school, she has long forgotten about them, until she meets someone who has the same characteristics and personality as her fictional friend from long ago.

2. An Educational Dilemma

Two childhood friends grow up alongside each other for most of their lives, until their parents decide to send them to different schools. One is a posh boarding school, and the other is a run-of-the-mill public school. Will the two still be able to have a close connection?

3. Friends to the Rescue

A young woman has just come out of a bad relationship and is a broken shell of her former self. Enter her friends to step in to remind her that she is not alone and set up a series of events to cheer her up. Chaos ensues.

4. The Grand Tour

A group of friends go on a road trip across the country, determined to see as many things as possible and tick off items on their bucket lists. Their journey will take them through many challenges, and lead to some brand new perspectives on life. However, can their ties of friendship survive the trip?

5. Taking Sides

Two friends find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict, forced to choose between their loyalty to each other and their individual beliefs. What sorts of obstacles will they need to combat in order to maintain their friendship and also save face amongst the people on their side of the war?

6. Long Time No See

Two childhood friends grow up and end up not seeing much of each other. That is until one of them is getting married, and wants the other to be their maid of honor/best man. Despite the years that they have been apart, will the pair’s bonds still be as strong as ever?

7. Not so Different

Two people from differing social classes strike up an unusual friendship. How do they navigate this in a world filled with prejudice, and fight against the odds to support each other and bring about harmony?

8. Man and Machine

A boy in a futuristic world finds a robot. After looking after it and fixing it, he starts to build a friendship with the machine. How does a friendship between a human and a robot play out in a society where they are just seen as tools?

Two people strike up a close friendship online, talking every single day. Despite both being on opposite sides of the world they both appear to be kindred spirits. One day, one friend tells the other that they will be going on vacation to the country that they live in. When they meet up, will reality meet with online expectations?

10. Budding Friendships

In a small town that is going into decline, two friends start a community garden and inspire their neighbors to come together. How do they start to tackle other challenges within the town, while still dealing with their everyday responsibilities?

11. One Coffee to Go

A barista working in a cafe ends up having a conversation with one of the regulars. How does this build from them just taking their order into a strong bond that lasts while still keeping up with running the shop?

12. A Friendly Muse

A famous artist befriends a struggling musician. Explore the dynamics of their friendship as they navigate the challenges of fame, jealousy, creativity, and the pressures of the industry. What happens when the musician’s fame eclipses the artist’s?

13. The Book Club

A group of friends form a book club and become deeply connected through their shared love for literature. Explore how the books they read influence their lives and relationships, and how they solve their problems together.

14. The Show Must Go On

Two friends both enter the same TV talent competition. They both get through the first audition round but then have to cope with the fact that the competition has become much fiercer. Will they be able to keep their friendship, or will they want to win at all costs?

15. Cooking up a Storm

Two friends are passionate about cooking. They decide to open a restaurant together, facing culinary challenges, rivalries, and the pressures of running a business while maintaining their friendship.

16. Unlikely Allies

A group of teens each from a different clique and social group end up, for different reasons, being put in detention until the end of term. How do they start to build common ground, and will their friendships carry over outside of the detention hall?

17. My Best Roommate

Two friends who have both just come out of relationships find themselves in need of somewhere to live. Despite not being exceptionally close friends to start, they decide to move in together as roommates. How does their relationship grow from here, and can they handle being around each other 24/7?

18. Someone to Lean On

A group of people meets at a support group each week. How do they start to open up to each other about their troubled pasts, and build lifelong friendships to help guide them through challenges they might face in the real world?

19. Against All Odds

A group of friends finds themselves stranded in the wilderness. How will they survive and cope with the hardships they find out there? As the days start to pass by with no hope of rescue, how do their friendships fare?

20. Cops and Robbers

Two childhood friends have very different occupations now they are all grown up. One is an esteemed detective , and the other is a notorious thief. How does the thief keep their identity hidden from their old friend, and what happens when the detective finds out about their crimes?

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Oliver Coleman (left) as Toby Fedden and Dan Stevens as Nick Guest in the BBC adaptation of The Line of Beauty.

Top 10 unlikely friendships in fiction

From Armistead Maupin to Alan Hollinghurst, gorillas to goshawks, novelist Alex Hourston pulls together some of literature’s best unlikely allies

W e get to choose our friends, so the saying goes; I’m interested in how and why we make those selections. Perhaps some people come together simply, happily, thanks to virtues all of their own. But there are other, more complicated reasons why we find ourselves next to those we do. Our companion may possess what we most want, or lack. Remind us of someone who came before, and offer the chance to make corrections or mete out punishment.

Do we get who we want, or who we need? A friend is a mirror. How does he or she make us look? Flip it; why have we been chosen? Of course, we rarely ask these questions, but fiction acts as a microscope and for the writer, where there is difference, there is drama.

My character, Maggie, has curated her life; pruned it back to just a handful of friends, complicit in their position at arm’s length. Then Anja crashes in: fierce, mucky, loving and with no intention of conforming to Maggie’s boundaries. But what is the nature of their connection? Is she a true friend? A replacement daughter, or even a surrogate lover? In the book, as in life, there are only interpretations.

1. H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald Goshawks are not cuddly. Macdonald is utterly clear-eyed on both the bird’s reptilian qualities and what’s in it for her: to “possess the hawk’s eye … to live the safe and solitary life” after the shock of her father’s sudden death. Yet she writes a definitive account of the relationship between an animal and human. Her book is lucid and beautiful; there is so much heart in it, and though she refuses to anthropomorphise, I love the moment when she and the hawk play ball, Macdonald throwing “Mabel” pills of scrunched-up paper, which she catches in her beak – and tosses back.

2. The Turning by Tim Winton Two for the price of one here. “My mother calls us Lenny and George. She teaches English; she thinks that’s funny,” Vic writes of himself and Biggie Botson, and indeed there are shadings of Of Mice and Men throughout. The two set off on a road trip to escape smalltown Australian life and across just 14 pages of pinpoint prose, we witness male friendship in all its need and compromise and competition. “We’re idiots of a different species but we’re both bloody idiots,” Vic says, in one of the moments of deadpan awareness that spike the story. It closes: “In the hot northern dusk, the world suddenly gets big around us, so big we just give in and watch.” Magnificent and so, so sad.

3. Dear Thief by Samantha Harvey This novel is a letter from an unnamed woman to an absent friend, Nina, the beautiful, evasive, uncompromising Butterfly. She starts to write on a whim, troubled and full of questions, and their history together unfolds across the novel, looping around a central betrayal. The pair’s connection is complex and frayed, yet it has held across the years. A nuanced and elegant study.

4. The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst Nick Guest is an outsider on the inside in echoes of his namesake, Nick Carraway, the narrator of the The Great Gatsby . Just a few weeks into his stay in the Fedden family’s Notting Hill home, Guest “was able to think of himself … as a lost middle child”. He is permitted entry to the inner circle, but it comes with conditions; he must keep secrets, both the Feddens’ and his own – the truth of his sexuality. The cost of inclusion is a double life of hypocrisy and studiously averted eyes.

5. Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

Marcus D'Amico as Michael Tolliver, Laura Linney as Mary Ann Singleton (centre) and Chloe Webb as Mona Ramsey in the TV version of Tales of the City.

What a relief to discover that someone as naive, provincial and uncool as Mary Ann Singleton can find her place in such a racy, bohemian crowd. A midwestern secretary, she is the outsider when she arrives in San Francisco in 1976, but is welcomed warmly and without question. (Before she even meets Anna Madrigal, her landlady, she discovers a note stuck on her door: “… taped to the note was a neatly rolled joint.”) Best of all, she is excused a makeover. In a novel that champions acceptance, Mary Ann’s difference is as valid as any other.

6. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud “How angry am I? You don’t want to know. Nobody wants to know about that, ” opens Messud’s book, introducing us to Nora, single, 42 and tired of being good. She rewinds to tell us the story of her relationships with the Shahid family, each of them beautiful, brilliant and kind. We know from the outset that the ending won’t be pretty; the novel explores the ways in which both parties use each other, before landing on an unguessable twist.

7. The First Bad Man by Miranda July A “woman upstairs” of the Girls era. Cheryl is a delusional, hilarious narcissist, but also good-hearted and, against all logic, hopeful. When she lands Clee, her boss’s daughter, as a houseguest, they seem an impossible pair. Antagonism tips into violence (albeit consensual) and briefly, sex. It is a friendship of an unusual shape: “I’d been her enemy, then her mother, then her girlfriend,” Cheryl writes, though in the universe of this novel (in which no one conforms to conventional codes of behaviour), it cannot be denied.

8. Harry Potter by JK Rowling In a group, there are often individuals who, without the buffer of their cohort, wouldn’t really get along. At various points in the series, Harry Potter has to play mediator between Hermione “the brightest witch of her age” Granger and Ron Weasley, funny, cantankerous and dim. Turns out their bickering masks passion (spoiler alert!) as the two end up married.

9. The Accidental by Ali Smith Amber, “kind of a woman but more like a girl”, turns up one evening, uninvited, at the Smarts’ disappointing Norfolk holiday home. She stays, and over the course of a summer shakes them out of their middle-class stasis. Both a liar and truth-teller, she picks off each family member, uncovering their weaknesses and fears and starting them over again.

10. Gorilla by Anthony Browne

Hannah loves gorillas, but her dad doesn’t have time to take her to the zoo. On the night of her birthday, something amazing happens. What this is is drawn, not written; a huge, stern, incredibly lifelike gorilla appears at the end of her bed. She is frightened (so was I, when I first saw it), but he puts on her father’s coat (“a perfect fit”) and off they set. The representation of the gorilla says everything to me, of Hannah’s anger and frustration at her dad. As an adult he has all the power; he can simply withdraw from her. Say no. They dance at the end, the gorilla and the girl, and with his hat tipped, he could almost be her father. I find that scene heartbreaking and brave for a children’s book, but also very true.

In My House by Alex Hourston is published by Faber & Faber, priced £14.99. Buy it from the Guardian bookshop for £11.99 .
Autobiography and memoir
Biography books

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6 Ways to Write about Unexpected Friendships

by Laura Hedgecock | Jan 13, 2014 | How-to , Memories , Writing and Sharing Memories | 2 comments

Unexpected friendship between cat and dog

Unexpected friendships can result when opposites attract. Photo credit flickr.com

It’s not just love that we find in the most unexpected places—it’s also friendship. The “when” and “how” of unexpected friendships make great stories.

Unexpected friendships despite first impressions

Particularly when we figure out how wrong they were, our first impressions stay with us. This topic resonates with me, because I’m a pretty lousy judge of character. My my first impression of one of my dearest and oldest friends wasn’t good at all. When I first met her, I mentally dismissed her as potential friend material. I’m so thankful that my first impression wasn’t a lasting one.

Write about unexpected friendships that emerged from negative mental images. Was your initial judgment wrong or was it just incomplete? What caused you to give this person a second chance? Did your friend also have a negative impression of you?

Difference in temperaments

Did you ever have a friendship that grew out of a dislike? It’s not just the stuff of Harlequin romances. Clashing personalities can develop in close relationships.

Most of us have grown to like—even cherish—someone that we initially disliked. These stories of unexpected friendships make great stories! (Think about Felix and Oscar in The Odd Couple or the misanthrope Melvin and his neighbor Simon in the movie As Good as It Gets. )

Unexpected friendships despite differences in race

Sadly, there was a time when such friendships were uncommon.

Slowly—very slowly—race relations in our society are progressing. But, for those who grew up in earlier decades (i.e. older folks), personal relationships between races was often a rocky road to navigate. Depending on our age and situation, we’ve had to overcome barriers of history, prejudice, and hurt to form close bonds. We’ve had to forgive and seek forgiveness.

How did (or do) you and your friend negotiate issues of race? How big of an elephant is race in the ‘room’ of your relationship? What did you learn from each other on the way?

When did this happen? Don’t forget to include historical context as you tell the story of your friendship. What was going on in the world, country or regions at the same time?

Issues of class

Class differences often present obstacles to friendships. Income, education, background, and position status separate us.

One of my family’s favorite stories is about a dinner thrown in honor a new fiancé. Looking over the beautiful table setting, the little brother of the host fingered the silver butter knife. All pretensions had to be dropped when he inquired, “What’s this? I’ve never seen it before.”

When you write about unexpected friendships, include what role issues of class played. Was there awkwardness or pretensions? Did you—or your friend—feel apologetic for their lack of education or position? How did you and your friend resolve those feelings? Again, be sure to provide historical information to provide texture to your story.

Write about why how it matters

All friendships matter. The question here, I guess, is how a particular friendship matters to you. Why is it significant? Did it notch a mark in your personal development?

Why should it matter to future generations? Did it come with a lesson—not to assume, presume, or pre-judge? Why was it unexpected at the time? Would it still be considered an unusual or unexpected friendship today?

When did you find an unexpected friendship? How would you write about it?

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Words of a Feather 🍃

An unlikely friendship (and other stories)

News from the creative write-it studio✨.

As we wrap up our final week of Term 2 and prepare for the holidays, I thought I’d share one of the prompts we will use in our Creative Holidays program next month. Interestingly, I’ve had a few older writers stumble across the program and say they would love to join in too! (We may just offer grown-up writer workshops again one day - you never know!)

So in this week’s newsletter, I’ve included a prompt for you to try at home - these holidays, or whenever the mood to write strikes you.

These holidays we will be writing tales of unlikely friendships , unexpected discoveries , mysterious events , and universes alive with magic .

We’ll be in the studio for two full days. Buzzing with ideas. Scribbling words. Sharing stories. If you’d like to join us, book your place here !

Or if a weekly writing practice is more what your young writer needs, you can also book now for Term 3 .

Without further ado… let’s write!

Here’s a prompt for you to try this week:

Write a story about an unlikely friendship.

Think about…

✨ Who will your main character be?

✨ Who will become their unlikely friend?

✨ What adventure will they embark on together?

If you'd like to share any writing with us, please consider joining one of our upcoming programs below. Or email us to chat about how we could support you and your young writer!

Until next time,

Join us in Term 3!

Term 3 weekly workshops are now open for booking! We run small groups for Year 1-3, Year 4-6, and Teens, in-person and online. Free trials are available for all small-group workshops :) ✨ Mondays 4 - 5pm (in person, Year 1-6)

✨ Tuesdays - Thursdays (online, Year 1 - Teens)

✨ Writing Mentorships (various times, please ask !)

Creative Holidays: Discovery, Friendships, Magic & Mystery!

Places are filling up in our July Creative Holidays workshops! We would love for your young writer to join us in the studio for two fun days of creative writing. All workshops are suitable for ages 8 - 12. Dates: July 5 & 6 Location: Balwyn North, VIC ✨ Click here to book!

ABC Takeover Competition (entries close June 26!)

There are just two weeks left to enter the 2023 Takeover Melbourne Competition! The ABC is looking for personal stories by young people in the greater Melbourne region, and no story is too small to tell. If you’d like some inspiration , you can watch some of the previous Takeover Melbourne video stories on ABC iview. And there’s others that you can find on Youtube!

Boroondara Literary Awards (entries close June 30!)

This annual writing competition is open to students from Years 5 - 12, and young people not in secondary school aged 15 - 18 years, who live, study, or work in the City of Boroondara. This is our local community, so if you are enrolled at Creative Write-it you are eligible! This competition is free to enter. There is also an open-age category for the grown-up writers among you! ✨ Click here to read more!

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Student Opinion

15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship

Questions to help students reflect on the meaning of friendship in their lives

By Natalie Proulx

Who are your closest friends? How much do you share with them? Do you actually like your friends? What have you learned from them?

Below, we’ve rounded up 15 questions we’ve asked students over the years all about friendship. You can use them as prompts for writing or discussion, inside the classroom or out. We hope they’ll inspire you to reflect on your friendships, consider how you can strengthen the ones you have, and motivate you to reach out and make new ones.

Each prompt includes an excerpt from a related New York Times article, essay or photo; a link to the related piece; and several questions to help you think deeply about it. Many of these questions are still open for comment from students 13 or older.

You can find even more ideas for teaching and learning about friendship in our related lesson plan: How Students Can Cultivate Meaningful Friendships Using The New York Times .

1. Who Are Your Friends?

Do you have a “best friend,” a few close friends or a large group of friends? What interests, experiences, passions and circumstances forge those relationships? What are some of your favorite memories or admirable characteristics you associate with your friends?

Use this Picture Prompt to talk or write about your most important friendships.

2. How Alike Are You and Your Friends?

Did you know there is science behind how we choose our friends? Research has shown that we tend to befriend people who are much like us in a wide array of characteristics, including age, race, religion, even our handgrip strength.

In this prompt , you’ll read more about the things that bond us, and then share what you and your friends have in common.

3. Do You Have Any Unlikely Friendships?

Though we tend to connect with people who are like us, sometimes friendship happens with someone we’d least expect. That was the case for Spencer Sleyon, a 22-year-old rapper and producer from East Harlem, and Rosalind Guttman, an 81-year-old woman living in a retirement community in Florida, who met playing the Words With Friends game.

Do you have any surprising friendships like this one?

4. How Much Do You Share With Your Friends?

Do you often express your innermost thoughts, feelings and struggles to those closest to you? Or do you tend to keep those things to yourself? Being vulnerable can be scary, but research shows it’s important for building connections with others.

Use this prompt to reflect on what it feels like to open up to your friends, and how you might try to do more of it.

5. Do You Have Satisfying Friendships?

Are internet friendships as fulfilling as in-person ones? In a guest essay, a writer argues that “The kind of presence required for deep friendship does not seem cultivated in many online interactions. Presence in friendship requires ‘being with’ and ‘doing for.’”

Do you agree? Can online “friends” be true friends? Share your opinion.

6. Do You Have Any Close Friends?

Do you prefer to have many casual friends or just a few close ones? What makes a person a “best” friend? Do you wish you had more close friendships? This prompt explores these questions and more, as well as shares expert advice for developing deeper friendships.

7. How Do You React When Your Friendships Change?

Have you ever become less close to a friend over time? Have you ever felt jealousy when your friend joined another friend group? Have you ever had a friendship just fizzle out? These kinds of changes happen all the time, but they can be difficult to navigate.

Tell us what you do when you feel a friendship start to shift.

8. Do Social Media and Smartphones Make Your Friendships Stronger?

Does being able to stay constantly in touch with your friends via social media, texting and location sharing strengthen your friendships and make them easier to maintain? Or does it do the opposite? Weigh in with your experiences on this prompt .

9. Do You Like Your Friends?

It may sound like a strange question, but a 2016 study found that only about half of perceived friendships are mutual. That means you might not even like someone who thinks of you as a best friend. And vice versa.

Is this is true for any of your relationships?

10. How Often Do You Text Your Friends Just to Say ‘Hi’?

When was the last time you texted, called, emailed or messaged a friend just to say “hello”? Research suggests casual check-ins might mean more than we realize. Do you underestimate how much your friends would like hearing from you?

Read what experts have to say and then share your thoughts.

11. Is It Harder for Men and Boys to Make and Keep Friends?

American men appear to be stuck in a “friendship recession,” according to a recent survey. Less than half of men said they were truly satisfied with the number of friendships they had. The same study also found that men are less likely than women to seek emotional support from or share personal feelings with their friends.

Does this reflect your experience? Weigh in.

12. Do You Have Any Intergenerational Friendships?

“When applying to my job, I had no idea of the friendships I would be making with 70+ year old women. They teach me new things every day while I hear their life stories and things they have done,” Laura from Ellisville wrote in response to this prompt.

Do you have any friends who are significantly younger or older than you? What do you think we can gain from these kinds of intergenerational friendships? Tell us here.

13. Have You Ever Been Left Out?

Imagine it’s a Saturday. All your friends told you they were busy, so you’re sitting at home, alone, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. But then you see a post that stops you in your tracks. It’s a picture of all of your friends hanging out together — without you. This is what happened to Hallie Reed in her first semester at college.

Has something like this ever happened to you? Use this prompt to talk or write about how it felt.

14. What Have Your Friends Taught You About Life?

“My friends taught me different perspectives on life.” “My friends have taught me to not care what other people think.” “My friends have taught me to be myself.”

These are just a few of the responses teenagers had to this prompt. What have your friends taught you?

15. Have You Ever Had a Significant Friendship End?

Few relationships are meant to last forever. In a guest essay, Lauren Mechling writes that “even bonds founded on that rare, deeply felt psychic connection between two people” are “bound to fray.”

Have you experienced this with someone with whom you were once very close? What happened? Share your story.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

15 Journaling and Writing Prompts about Friendship

by Judy Schwartz Haley | Featured , Journaling

Friends are the family we choose. Just like our families, their influence on our lives, and how we perceive and interact with the world is vast. It could even be argued that because we choose each other, who we befriend may influence us and say something about us even more than our families.

I always learn so much about myself when I write about my friends. What traits do all my friends have in common? Why do I (subconsciously) seek out those traits in my friendships? There is so much self-knowledge to mine in considering friendships. What kind of friend am I?

Writing helps us understand concepts and even our own motivations on a deeper level. Prompts help us focus the writing. These journaling and writing prompts about friendship will help you delve deeper into the nature of your friendships, and why those relationships, and those people, are so important to you.

15 Journaling / Writing Prompts about Friendship

1. write about a group of people that leave you feeling happy and at ease after you’ve spend time with them., 2. if you were having a rotten day, who is the first person you would want to talk to and why, 3. describe some traditions you’ve had with your friends., 4. are you comfortable asking your friends for help when you need it would they ask you for help, 5. do you have a friend you haven’t seen in years, but you’re sure if you saw them, you’d pick right up where you left off, 6. what is something nice a friend said to you that meant the world to you, 7. is there someone you’ve been missing, but you haven’t reached out to contact them what keeps you from reaching out, 8. how would you like to be described to others by your friends, 9. have you ever lost a friend been unfriended what happened, 10. who has always been there for you, no matter what, through thick and thin, 11. describe in detail someone who means the world to you. include appearance, mannerisms, personality, quirks… everything that makes them who they are., 12. what do you believe are the most important qualities in a friend, 13. have you made any new friends in recent years how does the process of making friends feel different from when you were younger, 14. who are the people in my life with whom i feel the most like myself, 15. make a list of all the people who have helped you in your life. keep adding to this list as you think of more..

What other prompts or questions would you add to this list? I’d love to hear your suggestions, and I’m always trying to improve on my lists of prompts.

If you enjoyed this list of journaling / writing prompts, check out my Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter feeds for daily prompts and other inspiration.

Story Share Topic: Unlikely Friendship

Ready for this week’s Story Share Topic? Join in the fun! Write your story and send it in for a chance to have your story shared on the site!

This Week’s Story Share Topic :

Write a story about an unlikely friendship between two characters.

Why do they want to be friends? What makes their friendship unique? What happens as a result of their friendship? What problem (conflict) arises and how is it solved?

To share: Send your story next Friday to [email protected]

FAQ: If you don’t want to share your story, can you still write one? Absolutely! Do you have to write a story on this particular topic? Nope! Writing stories is a great creative writing exercise, no matter what the topic. The topic is a prompt to get you started!

Writing with little ones? Read this post about how to include young children in writing activities.

Published by Hannah Spuler

Children's Writer, Homeschooling Mother of 6, Lover of all things Good, True, and Beautiful. Also, umbrellas. View all posts by Hannah Spuler

Best Friends, Broken Heart

Submitted into Contest #28 in response to: Write about someone (or something) you loved that you shouldn’t have. ... view prompt

Creative Nonfiction

He walks up to you, slapping you a high five. His blue eyes glint down at you, sparkling cobalt as always, but missing their usual mischievous spark. You know the spark, you’ve stared at it for years.

You’ve been friends since you beat him in the first-grade spelling bee. You’re tied for the top of the class, have air hockey battles, and know things about each other no one else does.

His middle name is Bartholomew.

You were the one who took your sister’s homework that one time.

His parents think he’s going to the library, but he really hangs out at Burger King.

You write poems in a blue leather-bound notebook.

Before, you told each other everything. You could say anything you wanted around him, and he might laugh but it would always be a joke. Everything was a joke to the two of you (rare was the recess that you weren’t huddled at the top of the slide laughing) and though your other friends giggled and whispered that you were a couple, you didn’t care. You weren’t of course- how dumb would that be?

You started high school and realized it wasn’t dumb at all.

You start noticing him, the way his blonde hair falls across his eyes, the way those eyes, a brilliant cobalt, have flecks of silver. How when he’s nervous, he shuffles his feet, and how he can do more push-ups than the rest of the class. He bikes every weekend, and brags to you about the distance. He’s smart, practically a tech genius, and takes apart iPhones to see how they work. He’s cool regardless, though. He’s cool and you aren’t (not that that especially bothers you), but he pays no attention to rigid high school hierarchy, ignoring confused glances when he sits at your lunch table. You notice that he has a freckle, right under his right eye, and that he always gets the cafeteria French fries. You hide it from your friends (they’d only laugh) but you notice everything.

Now you laugh at his jokes when they aren’t funny, and try your hardest to impress him with your wit. You pretend to be knowledgeable about stuff he’s interested in, and don’t talk as much about stuff he isn’t. You compliment him and beam when he compliments you. You start putting on nice jeans and lip gloss when he comes over, and it bothers you when he partners with Claire instead of you.

Even now, you instinctively smile a little brighter and stand a little taller as he comes over to you.

The two of you walk around the soccer field behind the high school, where the school team will play once the weather warms up. He’s nervous, you can tell. He keeps biting his lip and shuffling his feet, and sweat beads on his forehead. You walk with him in silence, unsure why he brought you out here, but willing to go along with it. Hell, at least you aren’t doing math homework.

He stops, suddenly, so quickly that you take a few steps before realizing he’s stopped. Then he’s staring at you, intensely, and you feel the thumping heat of your jack-rabbit heart. He’s looking at you, nervousness lining his face.

“I have to tell you something,” he says, and his voice trembles slightly. You rise onto the balls of your feet, heart pumping, blood rushing to your face, knowing it’s impossible, but he said he needs to tell you something and he’s looking so serious and his hair is in his eyes again and...

And the floor drops out from under you.

You can’t breathe, all of a sudden. How could have you been so wrong? And now he’s looking at you, worried, and he says,

“This doesn’t... change anything, does it?”

So all of a sudden, you’re scrambling for words, trying to put cohesive sounds together. Because, of course, you aren’t homophobic; you don’t have any problem with people being gay.

Did it have to be this person, though?

“Wow,” you say, “That’s a lot. Thanks for telling me,” Was that the right thing to say? You don’t want to be offensive. He seems to accept that, though, because he smiles at you, a flashing white grin, and you and him walk, together, but totally separate, into the school.

It’s only once you get home that you allow yourself to cry.

A week later, you’re over at his house, sitting on the snowy swing set that his dad built in the second grade. You’re talking in low voices, trying to keep your words from his little sister, playing nearby. So you ask. You don’t know why you ask, why you feel the need to rub salt in the wound.

“How did you know?”

“I don’t know. It just… felt right.” He says, and your chest squeezes, tighter. He smiles, a small twisting grin. “Plus, I got a crush on Henry C.”

You never liked Henry C. You look down at your feet, pushing against the snowy ground until the swing lurches into movement. You swing higher, higher, delighting in the sting of the snow against your face as you fly against the wind. You can barely feel your fingers in your thin gloves, but you also can’t imagine stopping. You know that in the grand scheme of things, this does not matter at all. That someday, you will look back on this and laugh. But somehow, you find it impossible to laugh at all.

If you could just stop watching him, it would be easier. But he’s one of your best friends, and so you are subjected to a lot of hang-outs and get-togethers. And every joke, every flick of his summer-wheat hair, is another stab in the heart. You tell yourself it doesn’t matter. That you never liked him anyway. But even your sister, who never pays attention to you unless it’s to either wear your clothes or insult your clothes, noticed that something is wrong. You feel like you can’t talk to anyone. It’s the first time since you started high school that you’ve actually felt like the moody teenagers depicted in movies and books. It’s the first time your heart is broken.

Which is how you find yourself sitting at your desk, staring at a blank sheet of paper. Your purple-shaded lamp, painted with elephants dancing, sends a beam of light, dust dancing in the glow, down at that plain white sheet. Thin blue marks make lines on the page, waiting for your words. The narrative pumps through your head, fills your very veins, and the words flow onto paper, pencil a natural extension of your mind.

When I first saw you…

It’s a love letter, of sorts, a letter you’d never send. A letter of acceptance and farewell. Because you can’t like him anymore. It’s over, even though it never really started. So you breathe words instead of air as your pencil flies over the paper, the words that slide out spinning and dancing across the page. You even put it in an envelope, because you’re so caught up in the moment that it feels like a good idea. But it’s not a good idea- thankfully you realize that in time. He’s realized who he is. You must move on. You must heal, piece the broken fragments of your heart back together.

So you tuck the letter into your bottom drawer, under sketches (mostly of pandas) and report cards from fifth grade, and you vow never to look at it again.

The vow lasts. You, honestly, weren’t expecting it to. You thought you wouldn’t be able to deal with the heartbreak, that you would yank it out of its dust-bunny hiding place, read it over and over till tears stained the page. But you aren’t in a romance novel, and so you leave it there. You get over your heartbreak and loss. In fact, you even forget the letter is there. For years.

“Hon?” It’s your mom, looking over at you from where she kneels next to your desk, by the piles of junk you didn’t know were in there. “Should I trash all these old report cards and stuff?” You shrug. You don’t care. You are leaving this house - maybe forever, off to college and new adventures. What do some old report cards matter when-

“There’s a letter here too.” What? Your brow wrinkles in confusion. What would a letter be doing in your- And then you remember. In freshman year.

You’ve moved on, but that doesn’t mean the memory doesn’t sting a little. You stare at the letter, addressed in neat, if somewhat shaky, lettering, and you make a decision.

“Actually, I’ll keep the letter.”

You keep it for three weeks. It lives on your desk, newly emptied and cleaned. Your whole room has been cleaned, scrubbed of almost any trace of the girl who lived there. The girl, suddenly, doesn’t even feel like you. You’re a college student now!

A college student with a letter on her desk, staring at her with pleading ink eyes.

On the morning you leave for university, you drop it in the mailbox.

Nothing will come of it, and you don’t want it to. He is comfortable in his own skin, and you would never try to change that. Not that you even want to anymore. He is still a good friend, but you are leaving for college, and you don’t think you will see him again. Of course, who knows? But it seems unlikely. You want to give the letter to him, as a record of us at that time, to show him how deeply someone felt about him at the tender age of almost-fifteen. Because it changed you, that first heartbreak. Not in a bad way, necessarily. But you are different. For example, you started writing more, after that letter you poured your heart into. You and he never got a chance for love, but his friendship was more valuable to you than anything. Then. And now? Now you are someone ( college student!!!) who has adventures. A girl who mails letters from years ago, and a girl who once loved a boy who could not love her back.

But that first love, though it changed you, no longer defines you. You are setting off on a new journey, one you would never want changed. With the letter dropped off in the mailbox, you are letting go of the one sadness still tying you to your childhood life. You are beginning a new one.

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10 likes 1 comment

Well-written story Taryn! Exquisite writing. I like the part where you make the reader think that maybe he likes her too, when he says he has something to tell her. Great ending as well. Great job🎆‼

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The Unlikely Friendship

Imagine two animals from different environments becoming best friends. write about their adventures..

Creativity is boundless when any two animals from different environments are chosen. They might teach each other about their respective lives, helping one another overcome shared challenges or embark on thrilling escapades. This prompt encourages children to ponder about empathy, friendship, and understanding, exploring how we learn from those who are different from us.

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Friendship Dynamics: Are You & Your Bestie Balanced?

Last Updated: August 30, 2023 Fact Checked

What are friendship dynamics?

Signs of uneven friendship dynamics, what is a true friend, the 7 friends theory.

Creative Writing Prompts

Expert Interview

This article was co-authored by Adam Dorsay, PsyD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist in private practice in San Jose, CA, and the co-creator of Project Reciprocity, an international program at Facebook's Headquarters, and a consultant with Digital Ocean’s Safety Team. He specializes in assisting high-achieving adults with relationship issues, stress reduction, anxiety, and attaining more happiness in their lives. In 2016 he gave a well-watched TEDx talk about men and emotions. Dr. Dorsay has a M.A. in Counseling from Santa Clara University and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2008. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 8,446 times.

So, you’ve come across the term “friendship dynamics.” What does that even mean? Is it something you have or can get? Thankfully, friendship dynamics aren’t as complicated as they sound. They can help you better understand yourself and, if you’re a writer, your characters. Use this complete guide to learn everything there is to know about friendship dynamics, from what they are to TikTok’s latest trend.

Things You Should Know

A friendship dynamic is how you and a friend interact with one another.
Friendship dynamics can be even (healthy) or uneven (unhealthy), and knowing which dynamic you have can help you better understand your relationships.
Those with an even friendship dynamic are most likely true friends and are supportive, honest, and respectful of one another.

Step 1 Friendship dynamics are how 2 friends interact and treat each other.

Think about people you know in these categories. Now, consider how you behave around them. For instance, if you’re outgoing and your bestie is more reserved, that’s a friendship dynamic.
Friendship dynamics can be even or uneven. An even friendship dynamic is nurturing and supportive, whereas an uneven one can cause hostility, toxicity, and one-sidedness.
Healthy friendship dynamics help you be the best version of yourself, allowing you to be comfortable in any social situation.

Step 2 There are 7 common categories or types of friendships.

Lifelong friends , or those you’ve known since birth.
Best friends , or those who feel like a sibling more than a friend.
Close friends , or those you can talk to about anything without judgment.
Social group friends , or those you chat with but aren’t particularly close to.
Activity friends , or those you engage with in specific activities, like a gym or shopping friend.
Friends of convenience , or those you can ask a favor of, like carpooling pals or church circles.
Acquaintances , or those you work or see every day but may not know much about them beyond their name or job title.

Set boundaries with your friend to avoid emotional dumping in the future. For instance, try saying something like, “Now isn’t a good time for me,” or “I understand you’re hurt, but I’m just not in the right headspace to listen at the moment.”
Know that emotional dumping isn’t the same as venting, which is a mutual and helpful exchange of emotions between 2 people with active listening and supportive responses.

Don’t be afraid to speak up and tell your friend exactly how you feel. Try not to overthink it. Say something like, “Hey, I feel like I’m not being heard lately. I love talking about you, but I’d like to tell you what’s happening in my life.” After all, if they’re a true friend, they’ll honor your request.

Take a moment to evaluate why you feel dissatisfied in the relationship. What do you want more of? What do you need to feel supported by your friend?
Then, address your wants and needs with them. Let them know that you feel emotionally drained and share what they can do to help.
If resentment continues to build or things become passive-aggressive, it may be time to end the friendship . [4] X Research source

Do I feel better after spending time with this person?
Am I myself around this person?
Do I feel secure and comfortable when I’m with them?
Are they supportive, and am I respected?
Is this a person I can trust?
Is this a relationship that’s helping me?
Are you giving as much as you’re receiving?
If you answered “no” to more than 1 of these questions, it may be time to reevaluate the friendship.

A true friend is someone who loves you unconditionally.

True friends can be blood-related or not. Your mom or the neighbor you’ve just met can be a true friend. Basically, you can find a true friend anywhere!
Fostering and maintaining true friendships takes work, dedication, and commitment. Make time to hang out with them, don’t be afraid to show your flaws, and respect them .

The TikTok trend “7 Friends Theory” supports small friend groups.

A friend you’ve had since you were little.
A friend that can make you laugh in any situation.
A friend you can talk to like no time has passed.
A friend you can say anything to.
A friend that’s like a sister.
A friend you can’t imagine not being friends with.
A friend that knows about all your relationship problems.
While this trend is fun to think about, it doesn’t mean you have to have only 7 friends—vibe with as few or as many people as you like! The 7 Friends Theory isn’t scientifically proven, so who’s to know if it’s legit or not.

wikiHow Quiz: Is My Friend Toxic?

How often does your friend flake on plans.

Constantly! They almost always cancel at the last minute.

Frequently. I might as well flip a coin to see if they show up.

Occasionally. They usually have a good excuse, though.

Never. If they give me their word, I know they’ll be there.

Friendship Dynamics Creative Writing Prompts

If you’re a writer, friendship dynamics can help you build characters.

Ex: Elsa and Anna from Frozen
Ex: Amy and Rory from Doctor Who
Ex: Jennifer and Anita from Jennifer’s Body
Ex: Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing from Friends
Ex: Donkey and Shrek from Shrek
Ex: Taylor McKessie and Chad Danforth from High School Musical
Ex: Damian and Janice from Mean Girls
Ex: Pumbaa and Timon from The Lion King
Ex: Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog from The Muppets
Ex: Sam and Dean Winchester from Supernatural
Ex: Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson series
Ex: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series

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CREATIVE WRITING ON UNUSUAL FRIENDSHIPS

Subject: English

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

12 November 2021

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This single-page sheet helps students to spark an idea for a great story about an unusual friendship. It can be used at any time of the year, not just Halloween. They can discuss in pairs or groups what they think the different creatures in the picture are like and maybe think of names for them. Names make characters seem real in the mind and give them a life of their own. You could have fun with alliteration, e.g. Bob the Bat, and with setting a mood, e.g. Snooty Candle. Old-fashioned or unusal names can sound mysterious, e.g. Winona the Witch, while nicknames can sound funny and approachable, e.g. Mike the Monster. It can also be funny if a name has absolutely nothing to do with the nature of the creature, e.g. Colin the Coffin or Tim the Ghost. ‘The Something of Something’ is another useful pattern, not just for a character’s name, but for a story title, e.g. ‘The Creatures of Castle Spooky’, ‘The Mummy of Mortlake’, ‘Mutterings in the Moat’. Letting your characters talk to each other is fun and unpredictable: you can never be quite sure what they are going to say. Don’t let the difficulty of punctuating direct speech inhibit learners. After all, if they type this, they can always correct things like paragraphing and punctuation marks afterwards. They could illustrate their work or even turn a key scene from it into a storyboard or a strip cartoon for a younger audience than themselves. Have loads of spooky fun! SEE ALSO ‘HOW GOTHIC BEGAN AND WHAT IT UNLEASHED!’

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IMAGES

56+ Writing Prompts About Friendship
3 Tips for Writing Unlikely Friendships in Fiction
Writing About Friendship Slide Deck
Pin on First Grade Writing
CREATIVE WRITING ON UNUSUAL FRIENDSHIPS
CREATIVE WRITING ON UNUSUAL FRIENDSHIPS

VIDEO

Best Friend Drawing Easy for Beginners / BFF Drawing Easy / Friendship Day Drawing / Pencil Drawing
Lion and the Mouse KIDS TALE
I reached my inner peace through writing The Unlikely Yank…

COMMENTS

Unlikely Friends
For this week's prompt, write about an unlikely pair of friends. If you need some additional inspiration, be sure to check out Emily Spurr's 2021 article "3 Tips for Writing Unlikely Friendships in Fiction" here on our blog. Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below. creative writing prompt writing prompts creative writing ...
50 Friendship Writing Prompts and Story Ideas
Try to empathize with your friend's perspective and put yourself in their shoes. Focus on the complexity of emotions involved in forgiveness and the potential for healing and growth in your friendship. In Their Shoes: Choose a friend who leads a very different life from you.
7-Steps to Developing Deep Friendships in Your Novel
1. Make Each Character Their Own Person. If a character's only purpose of the story is "be the friend", then I guarantee you that he is going to be a flat and uninteresting character. This will ultimately lead to a friendship that no reader will be invested in. All the same character creation rules apply to your friend too.
30 Best Friends Writing Prompts and Story Ideas
The Shared Dream: Focus on two friends who have a shared dream or goal, such as opening a cafe, writing a book, or creating a music album together. The story should explore the ups and downs they face while trying to make this dream a reality, including conflicts, compromises, and the joy of creating something together.
56+ Writing Prompts About Friendship
How to Use These Prompts. Our master list of over 56 writing prompts about friendship is complete. Here are some ways you can use these prompts: Class Discussion: If you are a teacher, you can pick one or a couple of these prompts to discuss with your students in class. Ask your students to share their own ideas and thoughts on friendship and ...
20 Friendship Fiction Writing Prompts
A boy in a futuristic world finds a robot. After looking after it and fixing it, he starts to build a friendship with the machine. How does a friendship between a human and a robot play out in a society where they are just seen as tools? 9. IRL. Two people strike up a close friendship online, talking every single day.
Sarah Salway's top 10 books about unlikely friendships
5. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. From the funny to the tragic. Lennie and George's unlikely friendship is centred round their dream of owning a farm, but it all goes terribly wrong. The end ...
Top 10 unlikely friendships in fiction
She stays, and over the course of a summer shakes them out of their middle-class stasis. Both a liar and truth-teller, she picks off each family member, uncovering their weaknesses and fears and ...
6 Ways to Write about Unexpected Friendships
Unexpected friendships despite first impressions. Particularly when we figure out how wrong they were, our first impressions stay with us. This topic resonates with me, because I'm a pretty lousy judge of character. My my first impression of one of my dearest and oldest friends wasn't good at all. When I first met her, I mentally dismissed ...
An unlikely friendship (and other stories)
These holidays we will be writing tales of unlikely friendships, unexpected discoveries, mysterious events, and universes alive with magic. We'll be in the studio for two full days. Buzzing with ideas. ... We would love for your young writer to join us in the studio for two fun days of creative writing. All workshops are suitable for ages 8 - 12.
15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship
14. What Have Your Friends Taught You About Life? iStock/Getty Images. "My friends taught me different perspectives on life.". "My friends have taught me to not care what other people think ...
15 Journaling and Writing Prompts about Friendship
Writing helps us understand concepts and even our own motivations on a deeper level. Prompts help us focus the writing. These journaling and writing prompts about friendship will help you delve deeper into the nature of your friendships, and why those relationships, and those people, are so important to you.
Story Share Topic: Unlikely Friendship
Write a story about an unlikely friendship between two characters. ... Writing stories is a great creative writing exercise, no matter what the topic. The topic is a prompt to get you started! Writing with little ones? Read this post about how to include young children in writing activities.
Best Friends, Broken Heart
Creative Nonfiction. He walks up to you, slapping you a high five. His blue eyes glint down at you, sparkling cobalt as always, but missing their usual mischievous spark. You know the spark, you've stared at it for years. You've been friends since you beat him in the first-grade spelling bee. You're tied for the top of the class, have air ...
Writing Prompt: The Unlikely Friendship • DraftSparks
︎ Creative Writing Prompts For Kids. Collection: ... The Unlikely Friendship. Imagine two animals from different environments becoming best friends. Write about their adventures. Creativity is boundless when any two animals from different environments are chosen. They might teach each other about their respective lives, helping one another ...
Creating Memorable Friends for Main Characters
Danielle lives in Chicagoland with her very own romance hero husband, darling daughter, and two tempestuous cats. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and visit her website, daniellejacksonbooks.com. Filling your book with realistic friendships can offer your main characters fresh perspectives on the story's core plot.
8 Remarkable Stories of the Most Unlikely Friendships
Bill & Giovanni. I met my best friend, Bill Cervenka, at work. I was 23, and he was 85, but it seemed I had more in common with him than with any friends my age. We were both really stubborn. He ...
What Are Friendship Dynamics? Creative Writing, TikTok & More
A friendship dynamic is how you and a friend interact with one another. Friendship dynamics can be even (healthy) or uneven (unhealthy), and knowing which dynamic you have can help you better understand your relationships. Those with an even friendship dynamic are most likely true friends and are supportive, honest, and respectful of one another.
CREATIVE WRITING ON UNUSUAL FRIENDSHIPS
File previews. pdf, 17.13 MB. jpg, 599.09 KB. This single-page sheet helps students to spark an idea for a great story about an unusual friendship. It can be used at any time of the year, not just Halloween. They can discuss in pairs or groups what they think the different creatures in the picture are like and maybe think of names for them.