About

How to Fold Paper Planes began after I shared a feature set in Jamaica Plain. A recovered meth addict named Dan came into the coffee shop with intentions of grabbing a coffee and leaving. After waiting for his drink and hearing my poetry, he decided to stay for the rest of my feature.

After I finished sharing, Dan approached me. He said,

"I didn't even know there was a poetry reading. I've never even known of this world until I walked in. Accidentally. I just came in for a coffee, but you pulled me in with your bravery. I've watched all of my friends die and I've already died five times. You've taught me the meaning of living with a purpose. Next week, I am going to finally share my story with strangers. I want to save someone's life, too. Thank you so much."

I've been a spoken word poet for two years now and I can tell you that my life has changed tremendously. I went from being so lost to thinking I was found to being at rock bottom time and time again. After taking time for myself and writing about topics that really hit home to me, I can now say that I am found. I proudly share my stories of rape and culture shock. There is a passion behind these topics for me and I am now growing more and more stronger by sharing my life with strangers.

From doing small performances to performing on big stages, I've learned a lot about myself through my art. This is all I have. This is what I love. This is how I can change the world. My friends, you are never truly alone. There is a sister out there who feels your body shiver at the mention of a bad word. There is a brother out there who feels your soul dance at the sight of two whole lovers. There is a friend out there who has the words to say, but no strength.

There is a You out there who has the stories, but no one to listen.

How to Fold Paper Planes has gone from a small project of wanting to hear about love stories on Valentine's Day when I didn't have my own, to an everyday collective of strangers telling their stories of their good days, bad days, successes, heartbreaks, sex, careers, or even just a good rant.

I will leave you with one question:
If you had the chance to save someone's life through storytelling, would you?

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about the founder

Princess Chan is a heart full of Autumn with a notebook of love poems for strangers. She is currently an active member of the FreeVerse! Lowell Youth Slam Team, Mill City Adult Slam Team, and the Lowell CUPSI Slam Team. Her work has been published in Lowell's anthology "Young Angel Midnight" and has performed at the Ontario International Poetry Slam as well as Brave New Voices. You can keep up with her most recent work through her 2nd 365 project, nineteen, at 9171993.blogspot.com.