Letters Through The Verse

In mid-2021, a writer I am friends with on Twitch and Discord – MelodyRelody – brought up a writing project of sorts that she wanted to try, and hadn’t had the chance to yet as there was not a group of people who were as interested in it or had the means for it. As it was brought up in HayleyHCreates‘ writing server, naturally, there were a number of us intrigued by it.

Interest? Check. Means? For the most part, check. Numbers? Check.

And so, “letters through the verse” began. We divided ourselves into two groups – those of us capable of sending physical letters, and those of us who preferred to stick to email – and by October, had begun sending out these letters.

WHAT IT IS

An exchange of letters between the original characters of two individuals.

Character A, the character of individual A, sends out a letter to their friend or family. However, the letter does not reach and instead lands into the hands of Character B, the character of individual B. Characters A and B are from different Works In Progresses of their authors. The contents of the first letter are meant to be urgent, resulting in curiousity and an exchange of letters as the characters realise they come not just from different places but different universes entirely.

It is such an interesting concept, and has been very fun to take part in. Each of us has been writing to two different people – most of us as two different characters from different projects. And this has allowed most if not all of us to better flesh out these characters.

For me, I’ve set one of the letters some years before the events of the novel. Writing from the point of view of my main character’s estranged sister so soon after their separation has allowed me to build on why they have not been in touch. It has allowed me to build the world a little more, from where the character is from to where she currently is and where she will end up being during the events of the novel. It has also allowed me to understand the relationship between the sisters a little more, and I know that my novel will reflect this better for it.

The second is a character currently experiencing the main events of the novel. Writing her has allowed me to find her voice, something that I had initially been struggling with as the story is a multi point of view one.

The best part? No deadlines! Everybody is understanding and fully excited to see the world of the other character unfold in front of them.

This project has kept me writing even through my other creative slumps, and having a group of friends to talk to and write with has made that all the better.

• What do you think of our current project?
• If you were to participate in “letters through the verse”, which character would you write as?
• Are there any projects like this that help you write and flesh out your world and characters?

Now I’ve got a letter to complete! Have a good writing and reading time!