The Ongoing Modern Pen Pal Project

December 21, 2022 10:39 AM

Since the beginning of 2020, I've been doing a project where I write a handwritten letter a week to friends, acquaintances, and family members on a topic of their choosing and have sent out over 150 letters since starting. About 18 months ago, I posted here in MetaTalk, asking for participants -- and you folks delivered! From that initial participation, I've started some lovely longer-term correspondences, and have sent out one-time thoughts on everything from death to the history of my area to books to food. My list has dwindled and I could use some new participants!

If you would like to participate, please sign-up here and you will get a letter in the mail. I prefer to be provided a topic, especially when I don't know the recipient directly, as constraints help my thought process. There is not a requirement to respond with a letter in kind! If you do write back, I will keep the correspondence going.

I welcome international addresses and writing to kiddos! If you signed up last time and enjoyed the experience, feel free to sign-up again. If you would like to know a bit more about me beyond what is in my mF profile before signing up, MeMail me with any questions.

I continue to experiment with creating my own stationary and including drawings in some cases, so in addition to a letter, depending on whim, you may also receive an artifact of some type along with the letter.

If you signed up last time and either didn't get a letter or sent me a letter back but I didn't respond, please MeMail me. I had one letter that was returned "undeliverable" and I wouldn't be surprised if one or two were lost in the mail. I'd love to get a sense of how often that happens.

posted by chiefthe to MetaFilter-Related at 10:39 AM (8 comments total)

signed up!
posted by Glinn at 11:05 AM on December 21, 2022 [3 favorites]

Oh, thank you for this opportunity! I wanted to sign up last time, but was too shy. Looking forward to hearing from you.
posted by probably not that Karen Blair at 11:18 AM on December 21, 2022 [3 favorites]

I received a lovely letter from you and wanted to write back, but in usual style, I misplaced your letter. I’d love to get another letter, but if you don’t want repeat customers, so to speak, would you just MeMail me your address so I can write back?
posted by holborne at 12:23 PM on December 21, 2022 [4 favorites]

I've really appreciated your letters so far, chiefthe. Which reminds me I need to reply to the latest!
posted by greycap at 1:42 PM on December 21, 2022 [3 favorites]

I’m not sure the lovely letter I received is from you, chiefthe, as it had only the real name . If it was you, thank you very much and I will be replying soon.

Signed up now.
posted by SunPower at 6:45 PM on December 21, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oh, nice! Like probably not that Karen Blair, I was too shy to sign up last time. Getting in on the action now for sure!
posted by minsies at 3:30 AM on December 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

Like greycap, I signed up last time & have much enjoyed the ensuing correspondence: the stationery is excellent!
posted by misteraitch at 10:46 AM on December 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

I signed up!
posted by HotToddy at 5:33 PM on December 22, 2022 [1 favorite]