For this series of six swaps, we’ll read two essays related to writing and/or reading from The Electric Typewriter website. Sometimes the essays will be about the same topic, at other times the advice and styles may conflict. The idea is to get us reading more about the craft of writing in order to grow as writers.

You’ll read the two essays, write your takeaways and thoughts in a notebook and mail it to your partner. For the next rounds, you’ll write in the notebook you received in the last swap and send it along. The idea would be to get some consistency going and your original notebook returned to you before the end of the year.

Get a notebook, softbound preferred for mailing, that’s approximately 8.5x5.5 inches with 80-100 pages in it. (The size is a sheet of paper folded in half.) These notebooks are generally sold in 2-, 3- or 5-packs at places like Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart and Amazon and will fit inside a 6x9 manila envelope to mail.

This is Part 4 of the six-swap series. If you’re just joining now, feel free to read the first six essays at your leisure – and any of the others on The Electric Typewriter. Each swap will have a pairing of two essays. I provide direct links to the essays as well as a short bio on the authors with a link if you want more information.

You can write longhand (legibly, please!) or type and adhere your responses to the page(s) in the notebook. Aim for at least a paragraph (mine have been two or more pages!) Please be sure to date your entry and include the authors and titles of the essays in your response.

Fourth Pairing: Elizabeth Gilbert and Neil Gaiman

“Thoughts on Writing” by Elizabeth Gilbert and “Where Do You Get Your Ideas” by Neil Gaiman

Gilbert is the bestselling author of the memoir “Eat Pray Love” and multiple novels and short stories.

Gaiman writes novels, kid’s books, short stories, comics and graphic novels, and much more. He’s known the world over for books including “American Gods,” “Stardust,” “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” and “Sandman.”

The series:

First pairing: J.K. Rowling and Stephen King.

Second pairing: Annie Dillard and George Orwell.

Third pairing: David Foster Wallace and Cheryl Strayed

Snail mail. USA. Group membership.