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In 2009, I wrote a piece for Trespass Magazine (before it switched to just film-based writing) about writing letters. It’s here if you want to read it.
Here’s an excerpt:
The beauty of a letter is it almost forces you to stay on one track. You start at the top and you get to the bottom, it’s hard to read a letter while engaged elsewhere. They require and demand ‘one-track time.’ I feel the same way about reading books. I made a decision: a real letter should be worth keeping. It is not mundane or banal, it is tactile and sentimental. I cannot make any claims for my own writing, but I knew that I had to endeavour to make these last.
While hiding in the QVB from the rain outside, I wrote “It’s funny just how much people rely on the world around them for their mood without realizing it. Poets have been doing it for centuries. Weather, the unwitting muse of the masses.”
To the school friend who had spent her year in the slums of Cambodia, I enclosed seeds to grow a Thyme plant, “You deserve a bit of thanks, but knowing your humility as I do, I know you wouldn’t want gratitude to come from man.”
This September my time will be divided amongst some creative work with Sydney Dance Company, and a trip to the US. During the SDC time, I will be spending a lot of time on Sydney’s Walsh Bay, a beautiful area, surrounded by wonderful artists. In the U.S. I will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, with some time in NY on both ends of the journey, and a two hour stop in LA.
I’m extending the offer to you all, especially if I don’t know you. I want to write 15 letters over the course of September.
If you’d like a letter, please leave a comment (with your proper e-mail address) and the following information.
NAME:
WHERE SHOULD I WRITE YOUR LETTER:
WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER:
IS THERE A QUESTION OR TOPIC YOU WANT ME TO ENGAGE WITH:
IS THIS INFORMATION PRIVATE: (Comments on here go through moderation, the answer to this question means I won’t post the comment publicly if you wish)
WILL YOU WRITE ME A LETTER BACK:
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STIPULATIONS?
ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE?
NAME: Matthew Clayfield
WHERE SHOULD I WRITE YOUR LETTER: In a bar on New York City’s Upper West Side (preferably of my choosing).
WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER: In Port MacDonnell, South Australia, watching the ocean from the second floor of my parents’ house.
IS THERE A QUESTION OR TOPIC YOU WANT ME TO ENGAGE WITH: The best jazz double bassist you’ve heard in the city, W. H. Auden, and how you’re feeling at the time of writing.
IS THIS INFORMATION PRIVATE: No.
WILL YOU WRITE ME A LETTER BACK: Of course.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STIPULATIONS? You have to drink at least three drinks between beginning and finishing the letter.
ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE? A photo of yourself with the barmaid will also be appreciated.
NAME: Chris
WHERE SHOULD I WRITE YOUR LETTER: Alone, with a view of the valley.
WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER: At my home (ADDRESS EDITED FOR PRIVACY)
IS THERE A QUESTION OR TOPIC YOU WANT ME TO ENGAGE WITH: Not particularly
IS THIS INFORMATION PRIVATE: (Comments on here go through moderation, the answer to this question means I won’t post the comment publicly if you wish)
Only the address.
WILL YOU WRITE ME A LETTER BACK: Yes
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STIPULATIONS? No
ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE? No
NAME: Dora Hawk
WHERE SHOULD I WRITE YOUR LETTER: In a bathtub filled with pillows
WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER: Hopefully in front of you.
IS THERE A QUESTION OR TOPIC YOU WANT ME TO ENGAGE WITH: Why is the sky blue and the ocean blue but they are not the same blue?
IS THIS INFORMATION PRIVATE: (Comments on here go through moderation, the answer to this question means I won’t post the comment publicly if you wish) No.
WILL YOU WRITE ME A LETTER BACK: If your letter will ask of me.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STIPULATIONS? I would like you to be happy when you write my letter.
ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE? Aphorisms strewn in for good measure will be appreciated and cherished.
NAME: Nicole
WHERE SHOULD I WRITE YOUR LETTER:Central Park, New York
WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER: sunday morning: sitting on the steps, by the beach, in Coogee
IS THERE A QUESTION OR TOPIC YOU WANT ME TO ENGAGE WITH:Hope
IS THIS INFORMATION PRIVATE: No
WILL YOU WRITE ME A LETTER BACK: No, but I will send you something inspired by your letter.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STIPULATIONS? Let it be beautiful so that I can frame it and hang it on my wall.
ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE? No
You write me from your lovest place
i’m at home, sitting in the garden
I would like to write you back but i’m afraid my inglish is not good enough
it’s up to you about what you like to write me. Important is that i always remember this letter with good emotions
NAME: Kim
WHERE SHOULD I WRITE YOUR LETTER: Near a piano.
WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER: At my home. Probably near the 32 other letterboxes.
IS THERE A QUESTION OR TOPIC YOU WANT ME TO ENGAGE WITH: Not particularly.
IS THIS INFORMATION PRIVATE: Nope.
WILL YOU WRITE ME A LETTER BACK: Probably, but after January.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER STIPULATIONS? Nope
ANY OTHER INFO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE? I’ll just be pleased to get mail at my new address. the letterbox is checked often and only ever junk (regardless of the ‘no junk mail’ sign).