Always feel like my letters will be over the top! Any tips?

[etihwwons]

I've collected a whole bunch of autographs throughout the years, but I've only ever received ONE TTM (from Robert Sean Leonard). I haven't written too many fainmail letters, with requests for autographs, but I've just done 2 in the last few months, and I'll be writing several more in the near future. I always keep my letters to a page, 2 at the most (and I do have to type them up, because my handwriting is absolutely AWFUL, chicken scratch, no exaggeration...I can't even read it when I've done). But sometimes I feel a little...overly enthusiastic? Or like I'm going to scare them, or make them think I'm weird, and therefore diminish my chances of getting anything back. It's PROBABLY just in my head, but just in case, does anyone have any tips on how to write a good letter?

I looked through several pages of questions, etc, didn't find anything like this, so hopefully this isn't a repeat.

[Wordsworth]

It could be that the celebrities you are writing to just don't sign through the mail very often or it could be that some of them are wary of the typewritten letter, thinking it might be a form letter sent to any number of celebs.

If, however, you feel that it really could be the content of your letters, it might be a good idea to bounce one off of a friend to see if they get any negative vibes.

[Rachel]

Just write what you feel. I personally never send typed letters because people who are just trying to get an autograph will use the same letter over and over and just change the name and a film title or two. Write what you feel but don't talk about stalking them, having sex with them or fantasizing about them ;)

[etihwwons]

LOL! I think I've got that part down. Bahaha! As for not typing, my hand writing is so bad, it'd take them an hour to try to read it. Doing up a type-written form letter for every star is just pure poo!

[Rachel]

Why not write a sentence at the start apologising for the impersonal feeling of the typewritten letter, explaining that you're handwriting is unfortunately ineligible?

[supertoneman]

i have been typing letters up since i started TTM, and i have had some great success. it all depends on how you address them. that and some of the celebrities do not reply right away or are busy. i have had some that have already taken longer than 3 months already. i would say don't give up on them for awhile.

[etihwwons]

Rachel, that's a great idea. I actually did that with Hiddles (err, Tom Hiddleston), and I did get a reply, so maybe that's a good thing to do generally speaking.

Supertoneman, glad I'm not the only one who types up their letters!