FOR hundreds of years people have fallen in love with the written word whether it is a play, book, letter or poem.

And for many the love of writing has sent their talents and experiences all over the world in the form of a pen pal letter.

Many may say this once-popular form of communication has died with the introduction of emails, online networking and texting but for others the passion is still alive and burning.

Nine-year-old Amelia Sting has been writing letters and emails to 10-year-old Isabelle Beecham in England for seven months. Miss Sting said she loved writing and preferred writing her letters on postcards and using traditional snail mail, rather than emailing.

Miss Beecham was introduced to her pen pal by her grandmother, who lives in Tannum Sands.

“We have exchanged photos, cards and postcards and I can't wait to go to England one day and meet her,” Miss Sting said.

“We enjoy talking about school and our hobbies and we both just love singing and dancing.”

Miss Sting said she was always on the computer checking if she had received correspondence from her foreign friend.

“I love getting letters in the mail and it is always great when I receive a letter from Isabelle.”

Miss Sting attends St Francis Primary School in Tannum Sands and said she was always on the look-out for potential pen pals.

She would love to find someone to write to in the United States.

“I think it would be really cool to talk to someone from America,” she said.

If you would like a pen pal go to http://www.penpalsnow.com

Finding a pen pal

Be prepared to write letters as well as email

Advertise yourself for who you are to find your best match

Be open to talking to people of all cultures and ages

Be careful of who you are speaking to and don’t give out personal details