Fictitious letter mailing list

[Kathelyne]

A while ago I posted a post about fictitious letters and thought that I wanted to give it another go. Only problem is when I did them as kids, we got together ant talked to decide what 'universe' our letters would be based in (ie, lets pretend we all go to different boarding schools in this world but 30 years ago. No magic or anything, just this world. we all went to primary school together and that’s how we know each other.) and then if we needed to make any amendments to this we could meet and discuss it. Online you don't really get discussions, just thoughts sent back and forwards and besides our common interests are limited to Fountain pens and letter writing whereas as a kid you shared man interests with your friends and went through similar 'fads'

 

So I was thinking about proposing a scenario, universe whatever you want to call it that is very encompassing of what ever people wish to write about, and so this is what I've come up with.

 

Scientists in one universe were trying to develop a method of long distance travel, a series of created wormhole type things that led to far reaching parts of the universe. The idea was that a person could travel to a point in space (that was near the creator’s home world) and from there they could use the portal they needed to jump through space and from there they could get to their destination a lot faster. Well, someone made a booboo. Firstly the portals couldn’t transport anything weighing more than about 100 grams. Secondly, the portals didn’t end up where they should have, they were randomly scattered around the universe in this world and parallel worlds, sometimes in the middle of space, sometimes on planets, sometimes on populated planets. Thirdly, they accidentally blew up a small planet. Oops. Fortunately it was unpopulated but it caused more than a few problems as you can imagine and so the project was closed down and all information on how they were created was destroyed or made beyond top secret. Initial efforts to use the portals as something failed, because of the weight problem and the fact that for some reason no data could travel through them no sound waves, no electrical data on a device…. The humble written note, however, had nothing to be scrambled and made it through fine.

 

This was a few years ago and while the project was closed down, they have these portals and what to do with them? Well, the portals were largely in places where they had had no communication with the local population due to distance (that or the whole parallel universe thingy). So some bright spark came up with a great way to put them to use- post-boxes. So through a coordinated effort of letter writing the leaders that be have decided the population at large may converse with these far away people though a pen pal system.

 

So, because you get to choose where you live, you get to choose everything about that place. A modern world where, until now, paper was forgotten in place of electronic screens? A world where space travel is unimagined and people are called Mr Darcy…. (Mr. Darcy, btw, would NEVER use a ball point! Hehe).

 

The idea is people could over time discover whose fantasy world they liked to correspond with (and there’s no reason why they can’t take their correspondence off on a little tangent of their own) and write in a way they wished to write without being completely locked into another’s world (beyond this whole letterbox idea)

This is in no way the (or even a) official fictitious snail mail thingy, I’m not trying to take over or anything, if you don’t like it I encourage you to start your own or whatever, (and let me know cos I might even play with you!). This is just a game I am starting and want to make it as encompassing as I can for those that want to play.

 

So, who wants to play with me?

 

How about we post a really brief idea of our ‘persona’ and ‘universe’ and then we can exchange contact details privately. Then we can exchange first letters under the understanding of ‘no pressure’ (ie you’re not promising to continue writing letters with that person, just finding out if you like to and sometimes for that in this game you need to read a letter or two).

 

I will post mine tomorrow after work (have to be up in 6 hours and have had a week of not enough sleep so need to try and get a decent night tonight!)

 

 

PERSONA LIST

 

Kathelyne: Seannya los di’Nona

World: Going with sci-fi here. Seannya belongs to a people who are technologically advanced, they have space travel, everything is electronic (ie until now paper was an antique that no one used, even artwork is on electric screens) but people still have a strong connection to nature through their link to their home world. Average lifespan is about 200 years, 250 is considered quite ancient. Seannya is a 24 year old female, but because of the long lifespan is considered more like a teenager might by in today’s world, but then again the way we treat teenagers and the way they act is so different, and so in that way Seannya is much more grown up in behaviour than our teenagers... ok it complicated! Writing to her might give some understanding! Seannya’s culture also has some lovely old fashioned traditions such as days in, calling cards etc that I really love. A bit of a blend of futuristic sci-fi and old fashioned Mr Darcy charm or something I guess, and all out of my own head with a dash of borrowed stuff here and there.

 

ladyambrosia: Mrs. Rose Jefferson

World ect: A slightly alternative history to the real thing. My year is 1784 and after, Mr. Jeffersons first wife would have passed, proper mourning and than a meeting of the new Lady (cant give it all away here *wink*)The world is a new place in theory as it was back than, a country has shaken free of its "Mother" and there is a treaty being drawn up. While there is an air of unrest in the very city (Paris) the treaty is being done up in..

 

Yuki Onitsura : Rodney McKay

Stargate Universe

Edited February 5, 2010 by Kathelyne

[ladyambrosia]

Well..this sounds very..curious and fun. Of course my fantasty world would be easily based in the past hehe. does that count? Maybe I should marry myself to Thomas Jefferson.....you did say Fantasy world. *giggles*

[Kathelyne]

Well..this sounds very..curious and fun. Of course my fantasty world would be easily based in the past hehe. does that count? Maybe I should marry myself to Thomas Jefferson.....you did say Fantasy world. *giggles*

 

yes, the past is fine! Remember with parallel worlds our past could be in a parallel world to the world where this all happened making it not really the past at all. Make sense?

[xiewadu]

Sounds like fun!

- Jen

[ladyambrosia]

I am sure it will once I have had some sleep myself. :roflmho: A friend and I used to write letters to one another in a similar vein as this. We pretended we were in the time of Pride & Prej. heh.

[orangos]

This sounds like an indecent amount of fun. I wouldn't mind floating an SF or fantasy setting, as long as I could make it up as I went along...

[TheShyWriter]

This sounds like a ton of fun! The three time periods I like best are the Victorian Era, the Edwardian Era, and the Roaring Twenties (1837-1929). Of course, I'd always be game for some supernatural/paranormal stuff too, but that's a horse of a different color. Admittedly I'm not huge on Sci-Fi, but everything else would be amazing--and would give me an excuse to try altering my current writing style (and go crazy with a bit of researching).

[Kathelyne]

Ok, so there is some interest! I was thinking that if there's a small enough group there's two ways we can do this. Option one is as in the big mailing list thread where you contact someone you want to write with via pm and exchange details. Option two is that I collect a list of all your details and pm them to all those on the list and you can write to anyone on the list whenever you feel like it. Obviously for the latter we all hve to be in agreement!

 

But either way, I'm going to collect a list of the name of your 'persona' (for addressing in the letter, not for the outside of the envelope) and a brief explination of the person you will be and in what world. So post them, and I'll add them to the first post so they don't get lost in chatter

Edited February 5, 2010 by Kathelyne

[ladyambrosia]

Well..I guess I will take a leap at this I gave some thought to it after I woke up, lol.

 

 

Persona: Mrs. Rose Jefferson (least she shares my last name heh)

 

World ect: A slightly alternative history to the real thing. My year is 1784 and after, Mr. Jeffersons first wife would have passed, proper mourning and than a meeting of the new Lady (cant give it all away here *wink*)The world is a new place in theory as it was back than, a country has shaken free of its "Mother" and there is a treaty being drawn up. While there is an air of unrest in the very city (Paris) the treaty is being done up in..

 

And so on and so on... hope it is not a total bore

[Yuki Onitsura]

Sounds interesting! I'm in but not quite sure what setting I'd like to play with.

 

Yuki

[Kathelyne]

This sounds like an indecent amount of fun. I wouldn't mind floating an SF or fantasy setting, as long as I could make it up as I went along...

 

Yes, making it up as you go along is perfect!

 

This sounds like a ton of fun! The three time periods I like best are the Victorian Era, the Edwardian Era, and the Roaring Twenties (1837-1929). Of course, I'd always be game for some supernatural/paranormal stuff too, but that's a horse of a different color. Admittedly I'm not huge on Sci-Fi, but everything else would be amazing--and would give me an excuse to try altering my current writing style (and go crazy with a bit of researching).

 

The beauty of this is you can write in any genre you want. I would love it if this also evolved in a game where people wrote to people interested in reading their world rather than being a strict "I write you a letter, you write me a letter". Wouldn't it be fun if person A loved what person B wrote, and person C loved what person A and B wrote, and person A loved what both wrote, so person C wrote to person B, who mentioned person's C's letters in theirs to person A's, and both person A and B wrote to person C, and then person D came on the scene who didn't have much time to write but person C passed on letters and details from All three to person D, and person D wrote the occasional... ok, I'm pretty sure I'm loosing the plot now! But we shall see how things evolve!

 

 

Well..I guess I will take a leap at this I gave some thought to it after I woke up, lol.

 

 

Persona: Mrs. Rose Jefferson (least she shares my last name heh)

 

World ect: A slightly alternative history to the real thing. My year is 1784 and after, Mr. Jeffersons first wife would have passed, proper mourning and than a meeting of the new Lady (cant give it all away here *wink*)The world is a new place in theory as it was back than, a country has shaken free of its "Mother" and there is a treaty being drawn up. While there is an air of unrest in the very city (Paris) the treaty is being done up in..

 

And so on and so on... hope it is not a total bore

 

Thats great! I'll add it to the list!

 

 

Sounds interesting! I'm in but not quite sure what setting I'd like to play with.

 

Yuki

 

Pick one and if want another setting you can write from another person! No reason why we can't have more than one persona. If it turns out you hate your first one you can just kill them off, or the persona can decide to stop writing letters which would be less dramatic but easier to convey in a letter.

[Yuki Onitsura]

In thaaaaaat case, I think I'll plonk myself somewhere in the Stargate universe for the time being and write as Rodney McKay (and maybe kill myself off via citrus allergy should the need arise).

 

Yuki

[Kathelyne]

I've added you to the list!

[carlc]

Warning this post is confused, addled and rambling - the summary is the third line up from the bottom.

 

Kathelyne if I've got it all wrong then feel free to tell peope to ignore the driveling idiot.

 

Okay

 

I think I understand this :blink: but it's all a bit much for my addled brain.

 

Firstly Kathelyne - if I have read it correctly (and I have read it several times trust me) - an excellent 'get around' that allows the use of multiple universes :clap1:

 

Secondly - I want to say 'yes me too' but have to be honest I'm far behind with my 'real world' pen pals (I use quote marks because sometimes I wonder if our obsession with fountain pens and ink is actually 'real' or if we are all rampant escapists). So if people don't mind a tardy response (it will get better things are just mad at the moment). Then I would love to take part.

 

Universe - I am happy to play in a fantasy or science fiction universe but would also be happy in the France of the Three Musketeers, England during the English Civil War and definitely Elizabethan England (but NO Gadzooks, methinks or other attempts at the language of the period otherwise you end up getting confused and getting all Medieval - verily).

 

Okay - all that looks confused (I'm very tired) - I'm happy to play in someone else's universe to the extent that I am happy to even go and do research into historical periods - I like history and it may take me places I have never been before.

 

If people don't mind I would rather play in someone else's universe for a while as I don't have the will to make up my own at the moment but when I get some sleep (a few months worth) I may create a new persona but I will not abandon anyone I have joined in a universe.

 

In essence I'm here, happy to join someone in a universe (any universe) - I have no name at the moment - that would depend on the universe I join.

 

Gosh what a lot of waffle - did I mention I'm tired?

 

Must go and see some students now - set phasers to stun.

 

Carl

[CarolinaWriter]

This sounds like a terrific creative exercise. Please add me to the list and I'll dream up a persona.

[ZeissIkon]

Hmmm. This does sound like an interesting game. A bit more "wide open" than the roleplaying games I've enjoyed since the 1970s, but I think I have an idea (bypassing all language/translation issues, naturally).

 

Character: Denny Trout, alias "Ghost", a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative-in-training in a world very much like the Marvel Universe of the early 21st century. Young fellow who was recruited from high school because he can do things "normals" can't, and the things he can do are at least potentially useful (once they drum some discipline into him) in the agency's work of protecting the Homeland. At the time the portal-mail service is opened, he's in the late stages of training and goes on occasional missions (evaluated as "low risk").

[Kathelyne]

Ok, so it appears I can't edit my origional post anymore so I'll have to do a list that I copy and add to in each post.

 

For those haing trouble dreaming up a universe, remember you don't have to make anything up, you can pick our favourite book, tv programe, or even just be yorself in our world.

 

Now for exchanging details. If you want your details shared amongst the common group them pm me your details and state clearly that you want me to do this and I'll make up a list of details and send it only to those who are sharing theirs. (ie if people A B C and D send me their details and people E and F don't, I'll send a list of A B C and D's details to A B C and D but NOT E and F. Otherwise if you would like to write a letter to someone then pm them and ask for their details, or if you are happy to recieve one from someone then give them yours.

 

How does this sound?

 

 

PERSONA LIST

 

Kathelyne: Seannya los di’Nona

World: Going with sci-fi here. Seannya belongs to a people who are technologically advanced, they have space travel, everything is electronic (ie until now paper was an antique that no one used, even artwork is on electric screens) but people still have a strong connection to nature through their link to their home world. Seannya’s culture also has some lovely old fashioned traditions such as days in, calling cards etc that I really love. A bit of a blend of futuristic sci-fi and old fashioned Mr Darcy charm or something I guess, and all out of my own head with a dash of borrowed stuff here and there.

 

The address is:

sector 4

Area 9

Planet 4

Portal 7

Nona

Los

Seannya

 

OR

4.9.4.7 Nona Los Seannya (you can write this on one line or individual lines)

 

 

ladyambrosia: Mrs. Rose Jefferson

World ect: A slightly alternative history to the real thing. My year is 1784 and after, Mr. Jeffersons first wife would have passed, proper mourning and than a meeting of the new Lady (cant give it all away here *wink*)The world is a new place in theory as it was back than, a country has shaken free of its "Mother" and there is a treaty being drawn up. While there is an air of unrest in the very city (Paris) the treaty is being done up in..

 

Yuki Onitsura : Rodney McKay

Stargate Universe

 

carlc: not decided

Wants to join in someone elses universe.

 

CarolinaWriter: name to come

Universe undecided.

 

ZeissIkon: Denny Trout, alias "Ghost"

a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative-in-training in a world very much like the Marvel Universe of the early 21st century. Young fellow who was recruited from high school because he can do things "normals" can't, and the things he can do are at least potentially useful (once they drum some discipline into him) in the agency's work of protecting the Homeland. At the time the portal-mail service is opened, he's in the late stages of training and goes on occasional missions (evaluated as "low risk").

 

orangos Icon: Simeon Turhey

The nominal head of security on a small orbital station at the very edge of human space. He uses his position to collect knowledge, news and rumours from places he will never see for himself. In this way he has become an amateur scholar and is, at heart, a collector. He fancies himself a member of the 'republic of letters' and would love to correspond with anyone of a similar leaning, no matter what their species.

Edited February 7, 2010 by Kathelyne

[Kathelyne]

Ok, for those of you who like me think it would be fun to 'double envelope', that is address the actual envelope to the person and include the letter in an envelope INSIDE that envelope we could come up with a way to address that enveope. So We can have our addresses as per however we want depending on how we write them in our universe but I think a set standard for the portal is needed. Nothing too restrictive, I was thinking just numbers.

So how about the area the portals have landed in are broken into sectors. Those sectors are broken into areas, and then in those areas the planets are numbered and then the individual portals on those planets are numbered.

 

So an address on earth might be:

### main street

Suburb here

State and postcode

Country

Portal#

Planet #

Area #

Sector #

 

You can also write a portal address like Sector.Area.Planet.portal OR Portal.Planet.Area.Sector depending on how your culture writes Addresses. It has become custom therefore to mark the portal number by circling, underlining, writing in a different colour etc so when you write like that people can tell which way you are going. Of course, some people argue you should mark the sector number

 

 

So an address of 4.9.4.7 would be sector four, area nine, planet four portal seven which is the portal I'm choosing for my character.

 

So if you wish to make up an address for your persona, feel free! I'll leave it to your own discression how many sectors we'll have and so on. Remember a planet can have no portals or many! Also portals can be in space. If your portal isn't on a planet but can still be accessed then decide if you want to have a number designating where it is (ie a space station etc) or no number at all, in which case you can leave out the planet number or fill it in with a dash or something- you choose.

 

ETA: The amount of detail in your address may also relate to how many portals there are. For example, my address for sending me mesages via portal is different to the actual address which is Quadrant 4, Prenya, Nona, Los Seannya because there are several portals on this planet so there is no need to include quadrant 4 (a space division used by the locals, nothing to do with portal divisions) or Prenya (which is the planet). Nona (the name of her village) IS needed because the portal isn't in her village. Does that make sense? But thats how Seannya's culture is, no need for data in an address thats not needed, just start with the largest division and work your way down to the person. You can include whatever you like in your address as long as you include the three or four numbers otherwise mail will have a hard time finding you, so have fun with it!

Edited February 7, 2010 by Kathelyne

[physicsgirl]

Add me to the list. I haven't picked a universe yet. I would join one if you like; I am open to all of the universes. I will try to come up with one. I think I might get an idea from a really great book I read last month.

[Kathelyne]

O, here is the updated persona List! If you want to be included in list where your details are shared with all common participants who are also sharing their addresses you need to PM me your details and state you are happy for me to include you and I'll add you on (you don't need your persona or universe done yet, I can update those once they are done).

 

If you don't want to be included but are happy for me to write to you, then just pm me your address so I can get writing! I will pm my address to those who don't want to be on the list also. I'm about to dash out the door, but I'll be home in 6 or 7 hours to update again!

 

For now:

 

 

PERSONA LIST

 

Kathelyne: Seannya los di’Nona

World: Going with sci-fi here. Seannya belongs to a people who are technologically advanced, they have space travel, everything is electronic (ie until now paper was an antique that no one used, even artwork is on electric screens) but people still have a strong connection to nature through their link to their home world. Seannya’s culture also has some lovely old fashioned traditions such as days in, calling cards etc that I really love. A bit of a blend of futuristic sci-fi and old fashioned Mr Darcy charm or something I guess, and all out of my own head with a dash of borrowed stuff here and there.

 

The address is:

sector 4

Area 9

Planet 4

Portal 7

Nona

Los

Seannya

 

OR

4.9.4.7 Nona Los Seannya (you can write this on one line or individual lines)

 

 

ladyambrosia: Mrs. Rose Jefferson

World ect: A slightly alternative history to the real thing. My year is 1784 and after, Mr. Jeffersons first wife would have passed, proper mourning and than a meeting of the new Lady (cant give it all away here *wink*)The world is a new place in theory as it was back than, a country has shaken free of its "Mother" and there is a treaty being drawn up. While there is an air of unrest in the very city (Paris) the treaty is being done up in..

 

Yuki Onitsura : Rodney McKay

Stargate Universe

 

carlc: not decided

Wants to join in someone elses universe.

 

CarolinaWriter: name to come

Universe undecided.

 

ZeissIkon: Denny Trout, alias "Ghost"

a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative-in-training in a world very much like the Marvel Universe of the early 21st century. Young fellow who was recruited from high school because he can do things "normals" can't, and the things he can do are at least potentially useful (once they drum some discipline into him) in the agency's work of protecting the Homeland. At the time the portal-mail service is opened, he's in the late stages of training and goes on occasional missions (evaluated as "low risk").

 

orangos Icon: Simeon Turhey

The nominal head of security on a small orbital station at the very edge of human space. He uses his position to collect knowledge, news and rumours from places he will never see for himself. In this way he has become an amateur scholar and is, at heart, a collector. He fancies himself a member of the 'republic of letters' and would love to correspond with anyone of a similar leaning, no matter what their species.

 

physicsgirl: no name yet

Needs to pick a universe, is hapy to join one or make up one.