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February 2, 2007
Snail Mail: Not Just For Whiskers Anymore
In this age of MyFaceBlogFlickrMail, information about people is at your fingertips. You communicate quickly and efficiently through text messages or email, share photographs in an instant and show the world your journals on a daily basis. But when was the last time you received a letter?
Well, start now. Youngna and I are proud to present:
The Modern Letter Project.
We would like to revive the age of snail mail pen pals for many reasons-- the art of letter writing, the fun of new stationery and decorated envelopes, the slowness of postal services and mostly, the thrill of real mail once a month that isn't a credit card offer. This project offers you the opportunity to connect with others in the most simple of ways-- paper and pen.
Here is how it works:
Each participant will receive a list of 12 names and addresses to whom you will send letters over the course of the year. Each month you will write a total of at least two letters:
1) To the next person on your list
2) Back to the person who wrote to you.
You are always welcome to write to past correspondents, but you must always write at least these two letters, one to the next on your list, and one in response to the letter you've received.
If you are interested in participating, please send the following information to themodernletter(at)gmail(dot)com between now and next Friday, February 9th:
1) Your name
2) Your mailing address (must be willing to share)
Each month we'll email reminders and ask you to share photos and stories of the letters you send and receive to include in an archive.
At the end of the year, we hope you'll have a network of new pen pals, friends, and a collection of letters to treasure. Be creative, use your fanciest stationary, or doodle in the margins. Most of all, happy letter writing!
Posted by callalillie at February 2, 2007 1:43 AM | Fun Projects , Modern Letter Project
I'd love to do this, but I'm changing addresses (and countries) in the next 6 weeks or so. Is there any way to join in in the middle of your project?
Thanks,
K.
Posted by: Chookooloonks at February 2, 2007 8:45 AM
This sounds great. I'll send my details off the the appropriate address shortly. Thanks for this!
Posted by: Marcia at February 2, 2007 8:55 AM
I'm so in! I actually have a "pen pal" - we've been "pals" for 25 years!!! It's a very cool & unique relationship. My Mom beats me though. She & her pen pal have been writing for over 40 years.
Posted by: carrster at February 2, 2007 9:12 AM
I am in! Finally I will get to use my stationary and fancy stickers.
Posted by: catnip at February 2, 2007 9:29 AM
I knew there was a purpose for that huge stationary collection I kept all those years !!
I'm sooo in !
Posted by: Just a trumpet player at February 2, 2007 10:13 AM
This is a fine idea. I am just amused at the irony that it needs use of email to work.
Posted by: jane at February 2, 2007 10:16 AM
Posted by: corie at February 2, 2007 10:34 AM
How else are you communicating this project? Do you mind if we blog about it?
Posted by: Jenifer at February 2, 2007 10:36 AM
Sure, feel free to spread the news around. Just include the full description if you can or a link to the description. We'd love a wide circle of people who don't know one another.
Posted by: corie at February 2, 2007 10:38 AM
I have boxes of stationery that have been waiting about 10 years for this purpose.
Posted by: beth at February 2, 2007 11:10 AM
Oh my gosh, I have TONS of stuff left over from when I was addicted to nervousness.org. Snail mail is a very wonderful thing. I shall email you my mailing addy.
Posted by: craige at February 2, 2007 11:17 AM
Posted by: Sally at February 2, 2007 12:29 PM
This is so exciting! What a great idea! Can't wait to join in!
Posted by: Jessica at February 2, 2007 12:52 PM
I'm still addicted to nervousness.org and my postman Vinny, delivers mass quantities of art snail mail to my little mailbox.
This is a fine project for a snail mail addict.
Heh! Poor Vinny.
Posted by: Vickie at February 2, 2007 3:53 PM
I love this! Is it international? Can Canadian addresses be included?
Posted by: FutureDrMandy at February 3, 2007 4:05 PM
Posted by: corie at February 3, 2007 4:56 PM
Questions my students would ask:
Is there any length requirement for the letters?
If we go beyond that length requirement, do we receive extra credit?
Okay, only the first one needs an answer.
Posted by: Debbie at February 4, 2007 10:42 AM
this is such a fine idea! Thanks for thinking of this Corie
I'll post a link on my site too
Posted by: Asli at February 4, 2007 4:38 PM
what a wonderful idea. I'm definitely joining in.
Posted by: Irene at February 5, 2007 5:44 AM
Posted by: jessmonster at February 5, 2007 4:02 PM
