What to say in a letter

Many new letter writers, and even some of us veteran penpals, often wonder what they should write about, especially when corresponding with people they've never written to before. It's usually easy to write to your established friends or family members; in that case, you can often just write like you talk to them. They will probably feel like they've had a conversation with you when they're finished reading your letter.

But, if you're writing to a new penpal, you may find yourself searching for something to say. Maybe you don't want to get too personal or reveal too many specifics about yourself, especially in the beginning of your penpal relationship. In that case, look around you for inspiration.

Here are some ideas for finding a letter writing topic:

* Look at a calendar...is there a holiday or special date coming up? Write about your experiences on that date in the past.

* What song is playing in the background? Is it a favorite? What type of music do you like? Why?

* What did you have for lunch? What's your favorite food?

* What is going on around you? Are you in a busy city, a quiet rural area, your own bedroom, a loud coffee shop? What do you see? What are the others around you doing?

* What are your hopes for the future? Your dreams? Your plans? Pick one and write about it in a letter. Share a little of yourself.

* Don't forget to ask some questions about your letter's recipient. Don't make it all about you. If you have a previous letter from this penpal, re-read it and make reference to something he or she mentioned before.

Happy letter writing!

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