How to Write the First Letter to a New Pen Pal

So you want to be a pen pal, and you are ready to start a new correspondence with a new friend. Staring at the blank page is not going to make the letter write itself! Here are some tips to make that introductory letter easier, and more interesting for your pen pal to read!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pen Pal
• Writing Instrument
• Stationery or paper and envelopes
• Postage stamps

1. Find a pen pal:
   
   There are several free pen pal websites, check the links I have provided below. Be sure to select a pen pal with whom you have at least some shared interests. You need to have something to write to each other about!

2. Gather your supplies and get ready:
   
   Address and stamp the envelope, have the person's information available to refer back to. Write the person's birthday on your calender so you can send them a birthday card. Get some cool looking paper and a good pen or pencil. Sit in a relatively quiet place where you won't be interrupted too much.

3. Getting started:
   
   Start with today's date. Then add a greeting, Dear(Pen Pal) works perfectly. Now you are ready for the actual letter.

4. The Meat of the Letter:
   
   Introduce yourself- Hi, my name is (your name) works great. Next tell the person about yourself. Tell where you live, where you were born, what you like to do for fun, what your favorite color, movie, activity, holiday, and/or musician is. Give several details about yourself, but don't get too personal. This should take about one page.

5. Next ask the person some questions. Not too personal or too many, this is not an interrogation. You may prefer to put the questions in with the details about yourself, such as: "I really like reading and Jack Kerouac is my favorite author, what kind of books do you like to read?" You are trying to make a connection that you can write about in future letters.

6. Closing and Mailing:
   
   End the letter before it becomes a novella. Two to three pages is plenty. Let the person know that you are eagerly waiting for their response " I hope to hear from you soon" and then sign off.
   
   Mail the letter immediately. I have made the mistake of laying a letter aside, and a month flew by. I wondered why I had not heard back from my pen pal, and then I found my unmailed letter!

Tips & Warnings

• Introduce yourself, but don't get too personal.
• Question but don't interrogate.
• Mail the letter promptly, and use the right amount of postage.
• Write neatly, you want the person to be able to read and understand what you wrote.
• Pay attention to details such as grammar, punctuation, spelling, and penmanship.
• Make your pen pal feel special: send a card on their birthday, a postcard from your vacation, a poem or sketch, or some stickers.
• Don't get too personal.
• Don't send questionable things such as nude photos.
• Take care when choosing a pen pal, not everyone can be trusted.

Resources

• Interpals
• PenPalsNow

[painthorse42]

on 12/9/2008 I agree, sometimes I miss the old-fashioned way of writing letters :o) I used to really love having penpals when I was a kid ~ Thanks for the great article! 5*

[Butterfli]

on 10/31/2008 Interesting article...good ideas! 5*

[hopekee]

on 10/31/2008 I miss the days of WRITING letters to my friends. Thanks for sharing!