The idea behind this project created by two teachers of different age groups was that providing students with penpals would give students a real audience to write to and change their attitudes about writing. Seventh graders and college students exchanged letters and were required to send working drafts of some class assignments to each other to receive feedback on their writing. By the end of the project, each student had given and received feedback on several letters and drafts of a composition. The two groups did for one another what the teachers could never do: they engaged one another as writers because they personalized the act of reading and writing and, consequently, developed in ways that the teachers had not expected. Because they cared about being understood, they were motivated to pay attention to mechanics and content. Students learned that instead of ceremonially giving the teacher what she wanted, writing required effort. Tips for a successful penpal project include: make it easy to do; make it part of what would be done anyway; be flexible; be committed to seeing it through; be sure each person sends and receives a letter; build some time to step back and look at what is going on; and have a purpose in writing beyond the letter exchange. (MG)