Hey everyone, welcome to a new pen pal swap with conversation starters. The point of this swap is to find lasting pen pals, not to exchange one letter and be done with it. Because introductory letters can get tedious, both for the writer and the reader, I'm hosting a pen pal swap with conversation starters (actual ones, so no questions like "what's your favorite color?" This isn't a journal prompt).

The basics:

For this swap you will get 3 partners, and you will send each of them 1 letter. Each letter must be written on A4 paper (about 8.3 x 11.7 inches, little more, little less), and must contain an introduction including:

• your name
• your age
• your village/town/city and what it's like living there

Also mandatory...

• pick 2 things from your swap partner's profile and respond to it. All too often introductory letters contain busloads of information about the writer and unfortunately little interest in the person receiving it. While this is understandable, it can become boring to read pages and pages about other people's lives, interests, and so on. You get a conversation going by showing interest in the other person. So, scour your swap partner's profile and find something you have in common, or find something you don't have in common and ask questions. This should ignite the spark of conversation, and it should add some variety to the task, too.

Then add...

A little something about you. You choose at least 3 of the following prompts (at least 5 lines per prompt):

• two things you love (not counting: family, friends, other people you know, pets, etc.), and why you love them

• two things that annoy you (not counting: family, friends, other people you know, pets, etc.), and why they annoy you

• describe what you're passionate about and why you are passionate about it

• if there was only 1 movie you could recommend, which one would it be and why?

• if there was only 1 book you could recommend, which one would it be and why?

• which country would you like to visit and why does it attract you?

• include 2 (self-taken) photos and tell something about them

• include a newspaper or magazine article and give your views on it, or explain why it interests you (if it is not in English, translate the title and explain what it's about too)

• what is a bad habit of yours?

• what is a good habit of yours?

• have you had any strange/funny/memorable encounters on your travels/vacations?

• if you had the chance to meet anyone who's ever lived (or is still living), who would it be and why?

• when was the last time you laughed yourself into a cramp and why did you?

• do you hold any controversial views? If so, what are they?

Optionally...

Feel free to add to your letter with more of the usual stuff, for example by introducing your family, telling a bit about your hobbies, or whatever you feel like chatting about.

Want to type the letter?

That's okay! Just don't use any fonts larger than size 12.

As a bonus, this swap will be Type 3 rated because it is time intensive.

Anyone with a rating of 4.98 can join. Those with recent 3 or 1 ratings might be banned, depending on reasons for the low ratings. No unrated users, but newbies might participate (depending on profile and recent swaps).

P.S. I will adjust the number of swap partners if 3 or less sign up