Excellent observation and question. We are moved every which way by good writing. I'm aware of how I am manipulated by good writing and compelling stories. The more we identify with the story, the more we are likely to believe it - so you make a good point. (I was a little disbelieving because the treatment of the boy seemed pretty harsh given he was only 15 and self-described as shy.) I read several of the letters posted by The Guardian - mostly about affairs - a woman writing to her ex-lover's wife, a woman writing to her husband about her ex-lover. They were very well written and I found myself questioning them immediately - even though they were by women, so I'm not sure gender is the only factor in believability. I imagine, though, that all the letters are true. I try not to be taken in by good stories. I liked the boy's letter and my point was, it doesn't matter whether it's true or not - he tells an excellent story that should be taught in school. Anything that is published could be fiction. In fact, as soon as it is written, it becomes fictionalized because writing from life is not the same as life: writing always involves choosing details and our perceptions are deeply subjective. When I found out that The Guardian pays for letters, I felt like writing one or making one up. I actually probably have dozens of letters in my journals that I could send. I actually did once write a letter to my lover's wife. {NOTE: tng - long, long ago in a galaxy far away).