Role-Playing Pen Pals

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Swap Coordinator:	CandyStar (contact)
Swap categories:	Challenges Letters & Writing Games
Number of people in swap:	13
Location:	International
Type:	Type 2: Flat mail
Last day to signup/drop:	February 13, 2010
Date items must be sent by:	February 28, 2010
Number of swap partners:	2
Description:
++NOW WITH ONLY TWO PARTNERS!++ I've been wanting to find some people to do this with for a while, and I thought maybe some others might want to do it too! Let me explain what I mean by role playing penpals: You make up a character, and so does your penpal. You choose a situation for why you are writing (example: you were siblings in a very rich household, but one was sent away for some scandal, and now you are secretly communicating through letters), then you write letters back and forth as that character, in that situation. NO PERSONAL DETAILS SHOULD BE GIVEN (unless, you feel some compelling reason to). The only part of the "real" person should be the name and address on the envelope (while you may think it's fun to address the envelope using the character's name... some post offices will reject a letter if it's to a name not registered to the address. Mine does this, I assume others would, too). In this swap, you will write 1 typed or handwritten letter (3+ pages) to your partner (I prefer that you handwrite them, but I understand some people may need to type theirs. Please try to keep it as personal and unique as you can, despite the typing. ^_^ Computers are no excuse to be lazy). In it, you will write as if you are this other character, in this situation. Make sure to subtly give details of the situation (I miss you so much since you left for your trip. Things just aren't the same without my favorite brother in the house), without blatantly pointing it out in your letter (Hi. So our situation is this). Include a note (either as like a p.s. at the end, or on a small sheet of paper included) saying your swap-bot username and that it's for this swap, just so the other person doesn't get confused. I also ask that you please not address the letter to their name, but just say "Greetings" or "Hello" or something, so that they are free to choose their character's name when they respond. Obviously, this means the person who starts the letter will make most of the details of the situation. But remember, you will be writing your own letter to someone, using whatever situation you choose. :D If you want, you could message your partner and ask about the situation, or if there is anything they want their character to do... but that's not necessary. Feel free to take liberties, since your partner will be doing the same to you. :) The idea is to creatively create a world and two characters in it, and enjoy! Right now I have it set at 2 partners, to better accommodate what people want out of the swap. :) PLEASE NOTE: you are not REQUIRED to send a response back to your partner, but if you like where things are headed, feel free! :D The point is to find people who are interested in pen palling like this regularly, but don't be offended if you don't receive a response. :) FOR THIS SWAP: Keep themes PG rated. No graphic violence or sex of any kind. You can say your character is in a war, but there's no need to describe. Your character can also be in a sexual relationship, but again, no need to describe. :) (If after this swap you and your partner want to explore those themes... go for it. But not in my swap, please!) If anyone has any questions, please post or message me, as I'm not sure if I'm explaining correctly. Also, if anyone wants more or less partners, please comment... I will lower it to 2 if there aren't enough people signed up. :) RATING REQUIREMENTS: To participate, you must have your profile completely filled out. If you have an outrageous number of 1's and 3's, I'll drop you. However, NEWBIES ARE WELCOME, since this is just a letter swap, and I'm so excited about the theme that I will gladly angel anyone who gets flaked on. (but don't flake on my swap!!! grrr!!)

Discussion

violettedream 02/ 6/2010 #

3 partners seems a lot to handwrite a letter to. I know you said handwrite them, but can we do it by computer?

CandyStar 02/ 6/2010 #

Hmm. If 3 is too much, perhaps I should take it down to 2. It is supposed to be handwritten because 1) that's more personal, 2) if you're going to type it, why not just email them, and 3) handwritten encourages you to write a different letter to each person. Perhaps you could space them out, and write like a letter a day, so it doesn't seem like so much... haha XD If other people have this complaint, I'll take it down to 2. :)

Cygni 02/ 6/2010 #

This is gonna be fun! :)

Morgaine 02/ 6/2010 #

This sounds like fun, but unfortuantly I cannot do handwriting for to long as it hurts my hands :-(

CandyStar 02/ 6/2010 #

Hmm.... it seems 2 votes for not handwriting them. I would change that, but I feel like it would encourage people to write awful, impersonal, form letters. :(

CandyStar 02/ 6/2010 #

Okay because I'm greedy and want more people to join my swap, I'm changing it to handwritten or typed :P

Morgaine 02/ 6/2010 #

Can I be more of a pain and ask you to change the send by date to beginning of march so I have money for stamps? It's only a couple of days extra (smiles sweetly)

j3nnif3r 02/ 6/2010 #

CandyStar, this swap is amazing! I can't wait to start (hand)writing my letters!

Snason 02/ 6/2010 #

Hmm, 3 different character worlds, and 9+ pages of writing. I donno if I could do that in less then a month.

Let me see if I understand this right, we are to make up a story as to why we are writing and then write based on that character.

Example, twins that get split up at birth only to figure out they have been school friends for years and are secretly writing each other.

I like the idea of the swap, I will have to think about it.

MSD 02/ 6/2010 #

Great idea.... can't wait to start!!!

CandyStar 02/ 7/2010 #

@Snason - you're very right! :) you can make up any story you want to! :) If it's a lot of writing to do in less than a month, you could always start early, since you are choosing the story and its details without your partner's cooperation, you can write it before the swap begins. :) that way you have a whole month instead of just part of a month.

witchfire 02/ 7/2010 #

I definitely like (No...LOVE) the idea, and as a newb it definitely seems like the right pace. But I'm sort of with violettedream: 3 people seem like an aweful lot to write to (especially when talking about 3+ page letters to each...and knowing myself I would go over). I will definitely think on this one though as it sounds almost too awesome to resist. Cheers!

CandyStar 02/ 7/2010 #

Hmm... would it be better to only have two partners? XD and if anyone wants 3 and didn't have me as a partner I'd love to be someone's 3rd bahaha

j3nnif3r 02/ 8/2010 #

I'm ok with 3 partners... but what do you exactly mean by "3 pages"? A4 or A5, and 3 sides (so, 1 sheet and 1 side) or 3 sheets (so, 6 sides)?

catlingmex 02/ 8/2010 #

Let's see if I understand: I write the first letter to three people, and I get three first letters from three other people, to whom I must respond. So I will be writing at least 6 six letters (probably more because I'll very likely want to continue at least one of the situations)? That sounds like a little much for a first time. Maybe, yeah, bring it down to 2 partners each (so each participant will be writing four letters) and see how that goes. I can see this idea becoming one of the perennial swaps on Swap-bot, with a new one every couple months or so!

CandyStar 02/ 9/2010 #

@j3nnif3r - I don't understand what the A4 and A5 sizes are, but... your paper should just be of moderate size. Not as small as a kawaii memo sheet (6 x 9 inches) but not as big as a piece of printer paper... it really doesn't matter. If you think your letter is short and your partner will be disappointed, then don't use that paper size. :) I can't imagine anyone complaining that their letter was short unless you use itty-bitty paper, so just use your own discretion :)

@catlingmex @witchfire @Snason and all others who felt 3 partners was too much... I have lowered it to 2, per your suggestions. :) I definitely planned on doing more than just this swap (maybe with future ones having specific themes or something) so I will just curb my enthusiasm a little and wait ;)

-Jesse

SaraswatiChB 02/13/2010 #

A4 is about 1/6th smaller than letter format, but our most common, cheap and available letter format. A5 is half of that, about double of a recipe card. I guess that regular A4 or letter format should be fine and I also agree, it shouldn't be too much about rules such as that as this is a creative process. I mean, if I have a nice story and it is on 2.5 pages I hope nobody will be offended.

CandyStar 02/14/2010 #

Partners have been assigned!!! Let the writing begin!! :D

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