Однажды он сказал себе: "Сегодня я напишу ей письмо о Кате. Или просто позвоню ей." I'd say that perfective is more appropriate here, as basically you ar etrying to say that you will have it done by the end of today. Буду писать means that you will be in a process of writing but it does not suggest that you will have it completed by the end of today.
I hope it makes sense.
Cheers