Rachel Syme, author of Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence, believes correspondence is a leap of faith, making it a unique experience. As a New Yorker staff writer, she rediscovered the joy of letter writing during the pandemic. Seeking human connection, she asked her social media followers if they wanted to be pen pals, receiving an overwhelming 300 responses. This led her to create PenPalooza, a letter-exchanging program now boasting over 10,000 members.
These experiences sparked a passion for letter writing, inspiring her book, which offers guidance on finding pen pals and crafting engaging letters. Famous letter writers like Octavia Butler and Zelda Fitzgerald also contribute to this guide, providing inspiration.
Finding a Pen Pal
You don’t need to look far for a pen pal. Begin with family and friends. If seeking new connections, ask your social media followers if they’d like to receive a letter. A simple post expressing your interest in writing can lead to surprising connections.
Letter Writing Tips
Discussing the weather is often considered mundane, but Syme suggests it can reveal much. Novelist Bessie Head noted the weather helps explain other life elements. Consider starting letters with a weather update.
Creative Correspondence
Letters don’t always need to be updates. Try writing prompts, such as sharing life hacks or recounting impulse purchases. Be creative. Draw maps of neighborhood walks or make Mad Libs for recipients. Alternatively, share Polaroids, personal recipes, or unique memories.
Including Small Gifts
Enhance letters by including flat items like stickers, pressed flowers, or tea bags. Avoid prohibited items such as matchbooks. Use postcards, vintage stationery, or even tissue paper to diversify your correspondence style.
Using a Typewriter
If your wrists are tired, or you want to avoid screens, using a typewriter can be satisfying. Feeling the keys can change your writing experience.
Preserving Correspondence
Consider photographing letters to maintain a personal archive. Although these letters create a shared archive, capturing them lets you remember your correspondence journey.
Natural Correspondence Cycle
Correspondences may eventually end, but that’s normal. Relationships evolve, and interest may wane. Accepting this part of letter writing keeps the experience enriching. Remember that not knowing if someone will respond makes correspondence significant.