Writing to post digitally about writing physically 🤔 —quite good!
It’s a bit like an Escher, one begins to ponder the loop and the origin. What’s funny is we know how it started, by note and pen. Yet time has folded until we don’t quite know when…
When did we lose the hand to loose the pen, only to feel the call to pick it up, begin again?
Writing by hand is becoming a guilty pleasure for some, a torture for others. Imagine that!
Thank you for your comment and thoughts, LaMonica.
I’ve thought of the same - the performative nature of this exercise - as the knowledge that this will be shared online does leak into the writings. I try to keep focused on the project as a way of championing this other mode of communication, but also try to develop a sort of storyline or continuation between me and the pen pals, so the pieces feel a little connected, and not just random letters each time.
It’s wonderful. Are you finding your correspondents on here? Just anyone who wants to physically connect? Or is it specific people who have been friends a long time?
I put out a call initially and the first wave was a mixture of old friends and Substackers.
There's been some drop off since then, and a few new people, but very organically, without me needing to search! But I'm always open to new pen pals. 🙂
Love Tahlia's observations about Toronto. It's been so long since I've been there I don't think I would recognise lots of it. Sounds like it's gone the way of the rest of the west and gentrification is the name of the game. I hate how all the rough corners and bright colours are being smoothed out and muted. BO-RING!
Writing to post digitally about writing physically 🤔 —quite good!
It’s a bit like an Escher, one begins to ponder the loop and the origin. What’s funny is we know how it started, by note and pen. Yet time has folded until we don’t quite know when…
When did we lose the hand to loose the pen, only to feel the call to pick it up, begin again?
Writing by hand is becoming a guilty pleasure for some, a torture for others. Imagine that!
Thank you for your comment and thoughts, LaMonica.
I’ve thought of the same - the performative nature of this exercise - as the knowledge that this will be shared online does leak into the writings. I try to keep focused on the project as a way of championing this other mode of communication, but also try to develop a sort of storyline or continuation between me and the pen pals, so the pieces feel a little connected, and not just random letters each time.
It’s wonderful. Are you finding your correspondents on here? Just anyone who wants to physically connect? Or is it specific people who have been friends a long time?
I put out a call initially and the first wave was a mixture of old friends and Substackers.
There's been some drop off since then, and a few new people, but very organically, without me needing to search! But I'm always open to new pen pals. 🙂
If you draft a note about what you are looking for and tag me I will be happy to share.
Thanks so much, La Monica -- that's really kind.
I'm going to wait a little bit and then review who’s still participating . I'd then love to put a call out and will be in touch with you! 😊
💯👍🏻
Love Tahlia's observations about Toronto. It's been so long since I've been there I don't think I would recognise lots of it. Sounds like it's gone the way of the rest of the west and gentrification is the name of the game. I hate how all the rough corners and bright colours are being smoothed out and muted. BO-RING!