Hello Raffaello,
I just got your letter; thank you for responding. I am not sure of the rules of writing to one in prison. Are you allowed typewritten letters or only handwritten ones? It is so much easier for me to type than write longhand. Also, am I allowed to send a printout of an article from the internet? Can I send an actual cut-out of one from the newspaper? As I mentioned I used to write a column about my life in the New York Press. A sort of a relationship column kind of like a much darker Sex and the City-type thing. I would send you one or two of the pieces, but again, I’m not sure of the rules, and they have curses in them and are a bit risqué so I am not sure if you are allowed to receive them. Please advise.
I guess most of my questions for you are about the jail experience. Excuse me if they are annoying or upsetting; I certainly don’t mean them to be. What are your days there like? I assume you are not allowed internet access, but do you have access to television and movies? You mentioned you like to read—what are some of the things you’ve been reading? I tend to like memoirs about dysfunctional lives—like Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs or the book by Jeanette Walls called The Glass Castle. Have you thought about writing about your experience in prison or a memoir? The way I see it is that we are all in prison in a way. Some literally, some figuratively. Your tale would be an interesting one.
The economy is really bad right now and I do real estate public relations. The market is tanking, so my business may be in danger. So far, so good, but one never knows and it is a cause for anxiety.
Aside from reading and writing I like to travel. I’m sure you’ve been to many more interesting places than I have. The most exotic place I’ve ever been was to India for three weeks last year over the Xmas/NYear holidays. I went to Goa on the coast. It was so gorgeous. Miles and miles of beaches, great food—so cheap—warm breezes. My friend and I got a motorbike and road up and down the coast. This winter I went to Costa Rica, but did not enjoy it at all. I went to Venezuela this summer, to a very small island off the coast of Caracas called Los Roques. That was a very nice and relaxing trip. Everyday a boat would come to take us to a different small uninhabited island where the boat driver would set up chairs for us and give us a cooler of food and drink and then come get us to bring us back at the end of the day. I am hoping to go on a cruise to Alaska this summer if I have the money and logistics all fall into place.
It is really cold here right now. It is 5 degrees out. I just went out to get groceries and walk the dog and will not be leaving the house again. It is that time of the winter where everything is grey and dismal. It is dark much of the day still, although thankfully, we are past the solstice so there are minutes of light added each day.
I’m enclosing a benign story I recently had published a local paper. I will look through other published clips and stories and try to find some appropriate ones to send.
I hope to hear back from you.
Take care.
--K
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Letters from the Inside, Raffaello Follieri, #1
I really need to get a scanner, because many have expressed interest in actually seeing the handwriting of these letters. I will do so soon and post. I can say that Follieri's script is really beautiful and elegant. Swango's is printed and almost like it was from a typewriter.
K,
Thank you for writing!
Your card was very thoughtful and welcomed. It is a pleasure to receive mail from someone genuine like you.
I also enjoy reading--it helps me to mentally escape from my current surrounding, so I would be grateful to receive the stories you mentioned.
It sounds like you have an abundance of exciting projects that you are currently working on, which, I think, is very important for any successful individual. Keep striving toward your goals and dreams!
I am thankful you took the time to write and look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Take care,
Raffaello
K,
Thank you for writing!
Your card was very thoughtful and welcomed. It is a pleasure to receive mail from someone genuine like you.
I also enjoy reading--it helps me to mentally escape from my current surrounding, so I would be grateful to receive the stories you mentioned.
It sounds like you have an abundance of exciting projects that you are currently working on, which, I think, is very important for any successful individual. Keep striving toward your goals and dreams!
I am thankful you took the time to write and look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Take care,
Raffaello
Monday, January 19, 2009
Letters from the Outside, In, KK to Swango, #1
Hello,
Got your letter. Thank you for responding. I will try to address most of your questions in this letter, so it may be a bit jagged. I also am not sure of the rules of writing to one in prison. Are you allowed typewritten letters or only handwritten ones? It is so much easier for me to type than write longhand. Also, am I allowed to send a printout of an article from the internet? Can I send an actual cut-out of one from the newspaper?
I guess most of my questions are about the jail experience. Excuse me if they are annoying or upsetting; I certainly don’t mean them to be. What are your days there like? I assume you are not allowed internet access, but you mention watching TV. Is there a common area where you can sometimes watch? How about movies—are they available to you? I can also surmise there must be a prison library or some way for you to get books, magazines and newspapers, but can you explain that? Clearly you are an educated man, so I gather you like to keep up on what is going on in the world. You mentioned an interest in movies and politics.
You asked if I have brown eyes. No, they are blue. I would send another picture if you are genuinely curious about what I look like, but I don’t want to misrepresent why I am writing. I am just interested in learning about your life and sharing stories with you if you would like—nothing flirtatious or romantic. I just wanted to be clear and wasn’t suggesting you though it was anything other than that. The way I see it is that we are all in prison in a way. Some literally, some figuratively.
The economy is really bad right now and I do real estate public relations. The market is tanking, so my business may be in danger. So far, so good, but one never knows and it is a cause for anxiety.
You mention you have tried some writing projects—like what? I know there was a book written about you, but clearly you’d have a compelling story to write yourself if you were into that sort of thing. But perhaps you were referring to wanting to write fiction?
I mentioned that I have been published. I used to have a newspaper column about my life. A sort of a relationship column thing kind of like a much darker Sex and the City-type thing. I would send you one or two of the pieces, but again, I’m not sure of the rules, and they have curses in them and are a bit risqué so I am not sure if you are allowed to receive them. Please advise.
In addition to the column, I have been published on a few literary sites on the internet, had a few articles published in NY papers (again, only about my life) and have a very popular blog called The Unbearable Heaviness of Being. I have been writing it for about 9 years. It’s about living in NYC and trying to get a keep a job, apartment and relationship. I also sometimes write on another site about life in NYC. I am wondering if you’d mind me sharing on my blog that I am corresponding with you. I promise to offer no editorializing on it.
You commented that I sound busy. I certainly am so I am not sure how often I can write, so please do not be disappointed if it isn’t often. I don’t want to commit to something that I can’t follow through on, but I will try, even if it becomes only sporadic.
You talk about movies. I have seen many of the ones that are up for awards this season. I recently saw The Wrestler, which you referenced. It was sadder than sad—heartbreaking--but also some of the best acting performances I have ever seen. I just can’t shake that movie. Mickey Rourke is so powerful and disconcerting. I watched the Golden Globes last weekend and he won for best actor; it was a well-deserved honor. I saw him recently in person—I was at a book signing by the author James Frey—and Rourke was there. He was acting very oddly and had long stringy whitish hair. I wondered why and now I realize it was probably because he was filming this movie. (Speaking of which, have you read Frey’s three books?) He was nice enough to give me a recommendation recently for my application to grad school. I once wrote a story about him that he liked so he agreed.
I have not seen Revolutionary Road or The Reader, although I have heard good things about both. I see tons of movies and watch many instantly on Netflix. In fact, I just finished a classic, ‘Guess Whose Coming to Dinner.’ I am working my way through all the older movies I can get my hands on.
Other than reading, writing and watching movies, I enjoy cooking and traveling. Sounds pretty boring, and I suppose in a lot of ways I am, although I have had a sort of strange life.
I know you have lived in Africa, and that sounds so interesting. The most exotic place I’ve ever been was to India for three weeks last year over the Xmas/NYear holidays. I went to Goa on the coast. It was so gorgeous. Miles and miles of beaches, great food—so cheap—warm breezes. My friend and I got a motorbike and road up and down the coast. But Africa is on my list of places to go, and I realize you were not there on vacation, but would love to hear about it. I, of course, do not want to work there, but long to go on a safari.
This winter I went to Costa Rica, but did not enjoy it at all. I went to Venezuela this summer, to a very small island off the coast of Caracas called Los Roques. That was a very nice and relaxing trip. Everyday a boat would come to take us to a different small uninhabited island where the boat driver would set up chairs for us and give us a cooler of food and drink and then come get us to bring us back at the end of the day. I am hoping to go on a cruise to Alaska this summer if I have the money and logistics all fall into place.
It is really cold here right now. It is 5 degrees out. I just went out to get groceries and walk the dog and will not be leaving the house again. It is that time of the winter where everything is grey and dismal. It is dark much of the day still, although thankfully, we are past the solstice so there are minutes of light added each day.
I hope to hear back from you. I will try to answer any questions you may have.
Take care.
--K
Got your letter. Thank you for responding. I will try to address most of your questions in this letter, so it may be a bit jagged. I also am not sure of the rules of writing to one in prison. Are you allowed typewritten letters or only handwritten ones? It is so much easier for me to type than write longhand. Also, am I allowed to send a printout of an article from the internet? Can I send an actual cut-out of one from the newspaper?
I guess most of my questions are about the jail experience. Excuse me if they are annoying or upsetting; I certainly don’t mean them to be. What are your days there like? I assume you are not allowed internet access, but you mention watching TV. Is there a common area where you can sometimes watch? How about movies—are they available to you? I can also surmise there must be a prison library or some way for you to get books, magazines and newspapers, but can you explain that? Clearly you are an educated man, so I gather you like to keep up on what is going on in the world. You mentioned an interest in movies and politics.
You asked if I have brown eyes. No, they are blue. I would send another picture if you are genuinely curious about what I look like, but I don’t want to misrepresent why I am writing. I am just interested in learning about your life and sharing stories with you if you would like—nothing flirtatious or romantic. I just wanted to be clear and wasn’t suggesting you though it was anything other than that. The way I see it is that we are all in prison in a way. Some literally, some figuratively.
The economy is really bad right now and I do real estate public relations. The market is tanking, so my business may be in danger. So far, so good, but one never knows and it is a cause for anxiety.
You mention you have tried some writing projects—like what? I know there was a book written about you, but clearly you’d have a compelling story to write yourself if you were into that sort of thing. But perhaps you were referring to wanting to write fiction?
I mentioned that I have been published. I used to have a newspaper column about my life. A sort of a relationship column thing kind of like a much darker Sex and the City-type thing. I would send you one or two of the pieces, but again, I’m not sure of the rules, and they have curses in them and are a bit risqué so I am not sure if you are allowed to receive them. Please advise.
In addition to the column, I have been published on a few literary sites on the internet, had a few articles published in NY papers (again, only about my life) and have a very popular blog called The Unbearable Heaviness of Being. I have been writing it for about 9 years. It’s about living in NYC and trying to get a keep a job, apartment and relationship. I also sometimes write on another site about life in NYC. I am wondering if you’d mind me sharing on my blog that I am corresponding with you. I promise to offer no editorializing on it.
You commented that I sound busy. I certainly am so I am not sure how often I can write, so please do not be disappointed if it isn’t often. I don’t want to commit to something that I can’t follow through on, but I will try, even if it becomes only sporadic.
You talk about movies. I have seen many of the ones that are up for awards this season. I recently saw The Wrestler, which you referenced. It was sadder than sad—heartbreaking--but also some of the best acting performances I have ever seen. I just can’t shake that movie. Mickey Rourke is so powerful and disconcerting. I watched the Golden Globes last weekend and he won for best actor; it was a well-deserved honor. I saw him recently in person—I was at a book signing by the author James Frey—and Rourke was there. He was acting very oddly and had long stringy whitish hair. I wondered why and now I realize it was probably because he was filming this movie. (Speaking of which, have you read Frey’s three books?) He was nice enough to give me a recommendation recently for my application to grad school. I once wrote a story about him that he liked so he agreed.
I have not seen Revolutionary Road or The Reader, although I have heard good things about both. I see tons of movies and watch many instantly on Netflix. In fact, I just finished a classic, ‘Guess Whose Coming to Dinner.’ I am working my way through all the older movies I can get my hands on.
Other than reading, writing and watching movies, I enjoy cooking and traveling. Sounds pretty boring, and I suppose in a lot of ways I am, although I have had a sort of strange life.
I know you have lived in Africa, and that sounds so interesting. The most exotic place I’ve ever been was to India for three weeks last year over the Xmas/NYear holidays. I went to Goa on the coast. It was so gorgeous. Miles and miles of beaches, great food—so cheap—warm breezes. My friend and I got a motorbike and road up and down the coast. But Africa is on my list of places to go, and I realize you were not there on vacation, but would love to hear about it. I, of course, do not want to work there, but long to go on a safari.
This winter I went to Costa Rica, but did not enjoy it at all. I went to Venezuela this summer, to a very small island off the coast of Caracas called Los Roques. That was a very nice and relaxing trip. Everyday a boat would come to take us to a different small uninhabited island where the boat driver would set up chairs for us and give us a cooler of food and drink and then come get us to bring us back at the end of the day. I am hoping to go on a cruise to Alaska this summer if I have the money and logistics all fall into place.
It is really cold here right now. It is 5 degrees out. I just went out to get groceries and walk the dog and will not be leaving the house again. It is that time of the winter where everything is grey and dismal. It is dark much of the day still, although thankfully, we are past the solstice so there are minutes of light added each day.
I hope to hear back from you. I will try to answer any questions you may have.
Take care.
--K
Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #1
Dear K,
Hi! What a surprising & welcome card to receive for New Years. Can't think of a better way to start off 09 (well, maybe two, or three...!)
I wondered who the lovely brown-haired woman on the front of the card was--and of course found out right away. Very interesting design. Do you ever wear that dress anywhere else? My only regret is that I could not see your eyes. Are they also brown? Feel free to send another photo or photos.
Your note & card were most intriguing. Just to mention a few things from what you wrote: Not so lonely here--and less so after receiving your card. If you've followed things in the media, and you're in PR, then you probably know there is a lot of fiction mixed in with fact.
Trying to compete in public relations in NYC must be dog-eat-dog, regardless of the size of the firm. Plus there are so many huge PR megafirms. I am very curious [annoying so, as you will hopefully discover!] --please tell me what you do at your firm and what sort of clients you represent. But I am even more curious about your freelance writing. I would be most interested & humbled to read any and all of the stories you have published about your life. Were they published in magazines or on-line. Journals or anthologies? I have tried my hand at a few projects, but nothing has really clicked. Would love any suggestions you might have.
Be advised: Because of the rules here--don't send more than four or five pages (and any one time) of printed-out material, either directly from a source or printed off a computer. Obviously--your written or typed letters can be as long as you want. And I hope they will (eventually) be long and detailed. As will mine, if you will allow...
Love your look; love your age, Kelly. I must warn you: I tend to be very direct and very willing to talk & share--in detail--on anything and everything.
Would very much like to correspond with you at length if you are willing and have the time. You sound pretty busy, Kelly.
So--let me get this relatively brief note in the mail to you. I wanted to get something off to you right wawy so you knew that your card had arrived.
Please feel free to ask me anything and talk about anything--if I can do the same. I am tremendously engaged in the news & politics & books & especially films. Not bored at all--especially with your intriguing note brimming with possibilities!
No question that my taste in films & literature tends to the unusual and the "not for all tastes" and the dark and the bleak and the sensual and the ultra-sensual. For instance--concerning the films up for awards consideration this year--my personal favorite (though I have not, of course, seen it) is Revolutionary Road--starring Kate Winslet & Leonardo diCaprio, but as far from Titanic as one can get. This is a bleak tale of dreams dead & lives destroyed.--AND the booked on which it is based which is a must read: by Richard Yates, from 1961.
Two others are "The Wrestler" with Mickey Rourke; and "The Reader," also starring Kate Winslet.
None of these is Little Miss Sunshine as you can tell!
Plus-again, although I have not seen it--I am utterly fascinated by the Charlie Kaufman film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman; "Synecdoche, New York"...By everything I have read, including the brilliant review by Manohla Dargis in the N.Y. Times.
In fact, if you see (or have seen) this film- please feel free to describe its plot and to give me your detailed comments. It appears that people either absolutely love the film, or despise it. Oh well!
So: There you have it. Again--so glad to receive your card. Would love to get to know you much better. EXPLORE ALL THINGS INSIDE and OUTSIDE... I hope you're not shy [certainly not someone who works in PR in NYC and puts her life on paper!]
And as I said earlier (I tend to repeat myself and talk, talk, talk--so just tell me when I bore you!)--I would love to share as much of myself & my feelings & ideas & desires as you are willing to accept and totally delve inside...
Take care, K, & hope to hear from you soon.
Warm thoughts & a safe & happy New Year.
XOXO
[Guilty pleasures include Gossip Girl.]
XXX Michael
P.S. Exactly what parts of your life do your stories explore? To quote Iris Murdoch: "The banal or the sensual, the sacred or the profane?"
P.P.S. In my next letter(s)--will send some articles I think you might find interesting.
Hi! What a surprising & welcome card to receive for New Years. Can't think of a better way to start off 09 (well, maybe two, or three...!)
I wondered who the lovely brown-haired woman on the front of the card was--and of course found out right away. Very interesting design. Do you ever wear that dress anywhere else? My only regret is that I could not see your eyes. Are they also brown? Feel free to send another photo or photos.
Your note & card were most intriguing. Just to mention a few things from what you wrote: Not so lonely here--and less so after receiving your card. If you've followed things in the media, and you're in PR, then you probably know there is a lot of fiction mixed in with fact.
Trying to compete in public relations in NYC must be dog-eat-dog, regardless of the size of the firm. Plus there are so many huge PR megafirms. I am very curious [annoying so, as you will hopefully discover!] --please tell me what you do at your firm and what sort of clients you represent. But I am even more curious about your freelance writing. I would be most interested & humbled to read any and all of the stories you have published about your life. Were they published in magazines or on-line. Journals or anthologies? I have tried my hand at a few projects, but nothing has really clicked. Would love any suggestions you might have.
Be advised: Because of the rules here--don't send more than four or five pages (and any one time) of printed-out material, either directly from a source or printed off a computer. Obviously--your written or typed letters can be as long as you want. And I hope they will (eventually) be long and detailed. As will mine, if you will allow...
Love your look; love your age, Kelly. I must warn you: I tend to be very direct and very willing to talk & share--in detail--on anything and everything.
Would very much like to correspond with you at length if you are willing and have the time. You sound pretty busy, Kelly.
So--let me get this relatively brief note in the mail to you. I wanted to get something off to you right wawy so you knew that your card had arrived.
Please feel free to ask me anything and talk about anything--if I can do the same. I am tremendously engaged in the news & politics & books & especially films. Not bored at all--especially with your intriguing note brimming with possibilities!
No question that my taste in films & literature tends to the unusual and the "not for all tastes" and the dark and the bleak and the sensual and the ultra-sensual. For instance--concerning the films up for awards consideration this year--my personal favorite (though I have not, of course, seen it) is Revolutionary Road--starring Kate Winslet & Leonardo diCaprio, but as far from Titanic as one can get. This is a bleak tale of dreams dead & lives destroyed.--AND the booked on which it is based which is a must read: by Richard Yates, from 1961.
Two others are "The Wrestler" with Mickey Rourke; and "The Reader," also starring Kate Winslet.
None of these is Little Miss Sunshine as you can tell!
Plus-again, although I have not seen it--I am utterly fascinated by the Charlie Kaufman film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman; "Synecdoche, New York"...By everything I have read, including the brilliant review by Manohla Dargis in the N.Y. Times.
In fact, if you see (or have seen) this film- please feel free to describe its plot and to give me your detailed comments. It appears that people either absolutely love the film, or despise it. Oh well!
So: There you have it. Again--so glad to receive your card. Would love to get to know you much better. EXPLORE ALL THINGS INSIDE and OUTSIDE... I hope you're not shy [certainly not someone who works in PR in NYC and puts her life on paper!]
And as I said earlier (I tend to repeat myself and talk, talk, talk--so just tell me when I bore you!)--I would love to share as much of myself & my feelings & ideas & desires as you are willing to accept and totally delve inside...
Take care, K, & hope to hear from you soon.
Warm thoughts & a safe & happy New Year.
XOXO
[Guilty pleasures include Gossip Girl.]
XXX Michael
P.S. Exactly what parts of your life do your stories explore? To quote Iris Murdoch: "The banal or the sensual, the sacred or the profane?"
P.P.S. In my next letter(s)--will send some articles I think you might find interesting.
Background on Serial Killer Dr. Michael Swango & A Chilling Coincidence
A friend suggested I contact him. I had never heard of him before, quickly Wiki'd him and thought, "Ok. He's a sociopath; he's in!" He passed the velvet rope just like that. Easy peasy.
The card I sent him was short and bland. I mentioned that I suspected it was lonely and boring this time of year especially without access to friends and family. I told him my age, what I do for a living and that I have a little dog. I told him I'm a good listener if he'd like to write back, and that I am a good writer--having published some pieces--and could send him some stories, mostly about my wacky life.
Background on Serial Killer & A Chilling Coincidence:
I signed it: "KK".
Then today that same friend told me she read a book written about him and his crimes. I asked more about it, wanting to buy it and she researched it, having forgotten exact details.
Apparently he had married a woman with the initials "KK" and he called her that. She killed herself.
The coincidence is eerie.
This is going to make one Hell of a blog.
I am going to write back to him tonight--there is so much to say and ask--and tell him I'd like to post his letters.
*** ADDITION: Read this story about Swango and KK
The card I sent him was short and bland. I mentioned that I suspected it was lonely and boring this time of year especially without access to friends and family. I told him my age, what I do for a living and that I have a little dog. I told him I'm a good listener if he'd like to write back, and that I am a good writer--having published some pieces--and could send him some stories, mostly about my wacky life.
Background on Serial Killer & A Chilling Coincidence:
I signed it: "KK".
Then today that same friend told me she read a book written about him and his crimes. I asked more about it, wanting to buy it and she researched it, having forgotten exact details.
Apparently he had married a woman with the initials "KK" and he called her that. She killed herself.
The coincidence is eerie.
This is going to make one Hell of a blog.
I am going to write back to him tonight--there is so much to say and ask--and tell him I'd like to post his letters.
*** ADDITION: Read this story about Swango and KK
My First Reply
I got a response back from Michael Swango.
It is a long letter, written in longhand, so I will have to spend some time typing it up so I can post.
It is a long letter, written in longhand, so I will have to spend some time typing it up so I can post.
What Prisoners Did I Start Out Writing To?
I have written to:
Susan Smith (mother who drowned her two sons)
Michael Swango (Dr. who killed about 60 people now serving life in prison)
Raffaello Follieri (Ex-boyfrend of Anne Hathaway, in jail for swindling)
Thomas "Bart" Whitaker (Death row due to hiring someone to kill his family)
OJ Simson (serving 15 years, you know why)
Scott Peterson (Life in prison for killing his wife and unborn son)
Robert Chambers (In prison for drug dealing, but known for killing Jennifer Levin in the '80s)
Sarah Pender (in jail for life for murdering two roommates and subsequently escaping from prison)
Richard Davis (murder of a young girl, etc.)
Susan Smith (mother who drowned her two sons)
Michael Swango (Dr. who killed about 60 people now serving life in prison)
Raffaello Follieri (Ex-boyfrend of Anne Hathaway, in jail for swindling)
Thomas "Bart" Whitaker (Death row due to hiring someone to kill his family)
OJ Simson (serving 15 years, you know why)
Scott Peterson (Life in prison for killing his wife and unborn son)
Robert Chambers (In prison for drug dealing, but known for killing Jennifer Levin in the '80s)
Sarah Pender (in jail for life for murdering two roommates and subsequently escaping from prison)
Richard Davis (murder of a young girl, etc.)
