* Update TWO *

I am very happy to announce that the first letters have started arriving and they are great; clever, funny, challenging, obtuse, interesting, and quite a few other things you'll have to see for yourself. And you can do so at Letters : [link]

So far we have had activity in the Past, as well as a letter that I received in the Present that purports to be from the Future (didn't see that one coming).

I hope you'll check out the site and I REALLY hope you will join us in this collaborative project [see below for more information and my mailing address].

You guys are too much.

More soon,
Jade



* Update *

First, let me thank all of you for such encouraging and enthusiastic feedback. I really hope that those of you who have expressed an interest in this project will be able to play along. And remember, there's no time limit. That's part of the fun of using old school mail; the interplay cannot, by nature of the medium, be immediate. So take your time and join in when you can.

Second. Over the past couple days, I've been able to carve out a couple hours to get the web site going. I've only been able to sketch out the framework and the "Past" section so far, but it may help you visualize the way I'd like to present the content.

I've decided to call the project Letters (I know, where did that come from? O.o) and the web site, such as it is in its current state, can be found here: [link] .

The first letter (in the Past) is there, it may give you an idea for a line of conversation you'd like to pursue. More on the site soon.

Third. I'd like the correspondence to exist within the framework of real time (even though some may exist in a fictional past or future), but at the same time not be constrained by a particular 'historical' year. So if you feel like dating your letter, please date them with the real Day and Month, but leave off the year. Thanks.

Last. I received a great note from *AussieMum asking for clarification on a couple points. Here's my reply, in case it helps:

My original concept was that the stories, such as they may be, will evolve out of the content of the letters. That the correspondents, writing either as themselves or as a fictional characters, would construct a fictional premise and write letters within that premise.

For example, the writer might be a long-lost school chum who is trying to make contact after many years for the purpose of getting me to give them money for a crazy project. Or she could be someone to whom I owe a large gambling debt, and she's trying to get me to pay up. Or he could be a 'talent broker' pitching a job (perhaps a high-tech burglary) to me (or vice versa).

It's really open, though. If a person wanted to write a whole story (perhaps serialized in the letters), that would be wonderful too.

[see below for the original description]

More soon. Can't wait to get the first letter.
Jade

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Actually, perhaps more of a collaboration, but these days trying to get someone to write an honest-to-goodness, analog letter is definitely an experiment.

So here it is;

Point 1
I really like to write with pen or pencil on paper. I love the feel and the sound and the archaic joy of seeing a real thing (representing real thoughts) that exists now, but that did not exist just a few minutes ago. Add to this a particular interest in stories and we have the start of...something.

Point 2
I know for a fact that many, many of you are talented writers; whether of fiction or of your personal views and thoughts. Also, I'm pretty sure that there are a whole bunch of you who (secretly?) enjoy the act of writing as much as I do. It's probably not a stretch to assume that many of you also dig a good (or fun, or exciting, or mysterious, or stupid) story.

Proposition
Let's collaborate together to create some stories using the vehicle of real-world correspondence. We would have the excitement of receiving from each other artifacts from another era, while at the same time creating something very cool.

This isn't a contest and I don't expect that there will be any payoff, but it is a real project and I intend to build an interesting website around it where people can follow the stories that we create.

The only caveat, then, is that you would agree to having your letters scanned and made a part of the website.

Storylines
Did I mention that there are multiple genres to choose from...

The basic premise to kick this thing off is that I am, more or less, me. A middle-aged, somewhat eccentric adventure seeker who likes doing all sorts of interesting stuff. The twist is that you can write to me in one (or all, if you really like writing letters and stories) of the following worlds:

Steampunk, Late-Victorian; think the Difference Engine, Jules Verne, with maybe a little Heart of Darkness or the Alienist for realism. [link] . In this genre we are writing letters because E-mail hasn't been invented yet.

Autumn Country, Modern Day; If you're familiar with Autumn Country, you know what I mean. If not, here's the link: [link] . And there's extra stuff at ~AutumnCountry . In this story arc we are writing letters because we like writing letters, or perhaps you are sending them to a dead drop or safe house, or maybe these days real letters are just a little more secure than E-mail.


Cyberpunk, Fairly Near Future; think William Gibson (Bridge more than Sprawl), maybe a little Shadowrun, and S.H.A.R.D.S [link] or Conjecture [link] . In this world letters are definitely more secure than E-mail, possibly delivered by private, bonded courier. Or you may just be one of those REALLY retro kids who write letters just to piss off your parents.

It's up to you to get things started, and to lay the groundwork, with your initial letter - which can be about literally anything. Be sure to get some details about yourself (or your character) and your situation into your letter to give me something to build on. Then I'll write back, and we'll go from there.

My Mailing Address
Jade Macalla
c/o Djinn Productions
PO Box 290937
Tampa, FL - 33687

It will be really interesting if we can get quite a few people involved. That way, once the letters get posted to the project site and everyone has a chance to see how the stories are developing, we can all start incorporating "current events" and other fictional details into our letters to further develop the stories and really flesh out the frame world.

If this isn't your cuppa, please pass it on to someone who might like it. If it is...well, I'm already looking for the postman.

Let me know if you have questions or ideas.

More soon,
Jade


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Jade's Stock Photo Request Policy:
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As of March 2008, the only stock photos I will produce will be requests. If you need something specific for a project, I'd love to hear your pitch. To clarify, I'm not looking for ideas (I've got plenty of those), I am interested in collaborate with serious artists who need specific images or references. Please see this journal entry for complete details: [link]

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Jade's Stock Usage Boilerplate
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The rule of thumb with my stock is: (Almost) No Rules. Do whatever non-commercial thing you want with them. If you need them to help you make a little scratch that's great, just contact me so we can work something out. Thank you.

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