In addition to writing this engaging Star Trek episode, Melinda M. Snodgrass was crucial in making this a Data-centric episode. Before penning the episode, she and other writers were debating which of the Enterprise crew would make contact with the little alien girl.
Considering that most of the episode (aside from a B plot featuring Wesley Crusher learning how to give orders to people older than him) centers on the titular pen pal relationship, the choice of correspondent would determine who got featured heavily in this particular episode.
