Welcome to the first of February – the first day of a Month of Letters (a.k.a. LetterMo).
While we do our best to provide a great community platform, offer encouragement and connection through our forums, blog posts, and social media (see The Extras for more detail) the core of the Month of Letters Challenge is simple:
- In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs.
- Write back to everyone who writes to you.
Excitement buoys us in the first days of LetterMo, from reconnecting with friends to finding new pen pals, not to mention the anticipation of getting something unique in your mail. But one thing you may have noticed LetterMo is called a Challenge, and that is not accidental.
You’ve committed to send something out every day the post runs in your area. You may ask yourself “What do I say to a virtual stranger?”, “What if I don’t receive any letters?”, “What if I miss a day?”, “What if I fall behind on my replies?”
To these I reply with the advice of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Don’t Panic!
The LetterMo challenge is meant to be fun and rewarding. Those pesky doubts and questions – I’ve had them all (especially that last one). The important thing to remember is the last part of the challenge: Have Fun.
Throughout the month participants will share their thoughts around letter writing via the Collaborative Blog Posts (click here to contribute) and I noted above the support you can find below in The Extras, but here are a few quick tips and tricks to help get you started:
- Look at your new pen pal’s profile to help identify common interests
- Tell the person about yourself, but don’t forget to ask questions as well
- It’s okay to use the share the same information over with other penpals, especially when getting started
- Include your return address in the correspondence (not just the envelope)
- Long or short, typed or handwritten – as long as you send mail, it doesn’t matter how you convey your message and just because you use one style for one letter, doesn’t mean you can’t switch it up
- Buy your stamps ahead of time – and if you like to include things that may bring the weight above a standard letter – don’t forget to consider extra postage needs
- When responding, don’t feel as if you have to address every point from your pen friend’s correspondence – they may be a marathon writer, but if you write shorter, that’s okay – they’ll be happy for any post they get from you in their mailbox
- I find it useful to write the date I receive a letter on the back of the envelope to help me keep my responses in order
What tips and trick do you have to keep organized, and prevent getting overwhelmed in February?
The Extras
Click the headings below for helpful links.
- Connect with folks on our forums (You must be logged in to view the forums)
- Check out our socials – Facebook and Instagram
- Attend a virtual write-in Saturday, February 7 and 21 at 14:00 UTC & 21:00 UTC each day (convert to your timezone)
- Contribute to our Collaborative Blog posts
- What is your LetterMo ‘essential kit’ (pen, paper, stamp, snack)? Share your must-haves! (Due Jan 31)
- How do you creatively decorate your envelopes to surprise recipients? (Due Feb 3)
- In what ways do you make your letters reflect your personality and uniqueness? (Due Feb 7)
- What new hobbies or interests have you discovered through the letters you’ve exchanged? (Due Feb 10)
- What’s the most touching or heartwarming letter you’ve received during LetterMo? (Due Feb 14)
- What’s the longest item you’ve written during the month, and what compelled you to write it? (Due Feb 17)
- What cultural insights did you gain from exchanging letters with someone worldwide? (Due Feb 21) How has participating in LetterMo affected your overall perspective on communication? (Due Feb 24)
- Submit an original blog post (You must be logged in to submit a blog post)
- Send in a Mail-In Blog submission
- Buy your own set of LetterMo stickers
- Get your LetterMo Membership card
- Get trackers and badges on our Resources page
- Volunteer to help keep LetterMo going
- Keep an eye out for our upcoming Newsletter
I have a basket for my incoming mail and write the date it arrived and date I replied on the back of the envelope (or the front if the back is filled up with stickers). I know when I last sent out mail and when I give myself a ‘rest day’ I go with two the next day. But I find if I break the daily routine of writing after dinner I struggle to get back to it–which is why my basket of paper and stamps sits aside the couch I crash out on. LOL And above all, I remind my spousal unit that February is a letter a day month–he’s good for keeping me on target. Relentless even!! Hahaha
I keep a correspondence log to keep track of what I’ve sent and to whom and on what day. Received correspondence goes in a stack on my rolltop desk, and is answered in the order it is received. I write the date of receipt on the back of each envelope when I receive it. I hand-write my missives using fountain pens, and often switch-up the pens and inks with each page. I always provide the reader with a “nibliography” – a record of what pens and inks have been used. I use rubber stamps and washi tape to decorate my envelopes. I have a received letter open and in front of me when I respond for reference.