postsecret

Frank Warren is more than just a keeper of secrets. Using his blog, PostSecret.com (Note: his site, like ours, seems to be having some technical problems this morning.), and his books, he has transformed the secrets that people have artfully and anonymously told him into a medium that allows his readers to not only face their own secrets, but find a path of self acceptance and understanding.

For any avid reader of the blog, Sunday morning - when new secrets appear � is one of the most anticipated times of the week. Equally as anticipated this week at Florida State University

was Friday night, when Frank stopped by to talk about his experiences with Post Secret, reveal some insight into the project, and share some never before seen secrets.

Hundreds of FSU students and other fans of Post Secret lined up in anticipation of Frank's lecture. There was an initial fear by the event staff that they would have to turn some people away, but everyone was allowed entry into the large ballroom, though it did pay to show up early to get the best seats.



Frank began by giving some history of his ongoing social art project. It all dates back to November 2004, having reserved space at an art expo in Washington D.C., Frank had 3000 self addressed postcards printed up, he then invited total strangers to write an anonymous secret on the card and mail it in. The only conditions were that the secret be true, and that it be a secret they had never told anyone before.

From that batch of 3000 postcards, Frank initially received about 100 back, which were displayed in the exhibit, and so Post Secret was born.



The postcards didn't stop. At first, 10-20 cards would arrive here and there, now nearly 3 years later, approximately 1,000 cards arrive at Frank's door weekly. From those cards, about 20 are selected to go up on PostSecret.com. Frank has released three books with many additional secrets, with a fourth book 'A Lifetime of Secrets' on sale October 9.



But where did he get the idea? What made him think of soliciting people's secrets? Frank revealed that he was dealing with his own secret at the time, and much like the readers of his site, it was someone else's postcard that helped him confront it and take ownership of it. Yes, he did share his secret with us, and no, I won't tell you. (Hint: It's in the first book)

Frank explained in his lecture that while he has nearly complete freedom to post any secret on the web, some are censored from the published books due to copyrighted images, nudity or privacy concerns. Luckily for the audience, those same factors didn't keep Frank from sharing them Friday night. He showed one card that may have used images from a Disney coloring book, saying that lawyers don't want to mess with the mouse's lawyers.

Just like the weekly batch of secrets on his blog, the postcards he shared with his audience covered a wide range of emotions and topics. Aside from the cards, Frank read several email responses to secrets shown on his site. One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Frank read an email from the submitter of a secret about tracking down a baby she gave up for adoption. She had attended an appearance like the one at FSU and described the experience of being in a room with hundreds of people that knew her secret; though no one knew it was her's.




After the lecture, Frank graciously signed anything from the Post Secret books to scraps of paper as he met, listened, and hugged anyone who chose to wait in line. Some just wanted to shake his hand and thank him personally for Post Secret, and some chose to share their own secrets verbally.

One FSU student proudly pointed out his postcard that made it into one of the Post Secret books. Another broke down in tears explaining that her friend, with whom she would read PostSecret.com with every week, took her own life earlier this year, and it was the site and books that helped her cope with her friend's death.

The final words of Franks lecture were "Free your secrets and become who you are." He also stamped the motto on every item signed. However, one student took issue with that statement, asking Frank during the signing "How? How can you free your secrets?" Without hesitation and with complete certainty Frank looked at her and said "The first step is to recognize a secret that's not letting go of you." It may seem a little over simplified to some, but one thing is for sure: the man knows a thing or two about secrets.

The campus tour has 3 more stops over the next few weeks (see the bottom of PostSecret.com for details), and soon a Post Secret exhibit will start its run in Maryland, featuring secrets dealing with spirituality.


Later on this week, Help Yourself will feature a new blogger, Matt Simantov, who programs OrlandoSentinel.com on the weekend and helps during the week. This week Matt will bring a special edition of Help Yourself, blogging about the PostSecret event in Tallahassee. (I am so jealous!)

But over to Matt, and I will let him tell you what he is going to do...

Thanks, Kris! I'll be making the trek up to FSU this Friday, Sept. 14, to take part in the Post Secret event and listen to PostSecret.com creator Frank Warren lecture about the site and his experiences.

PostSecret.com can be described as an ongoing social art project, where people are invited to mail a postcard featuring an anonymous secret. These secrets may range from mild to shocking, but they are all share the unique artistic touch of their creators.

This event is open to the public. Doors open at 8 pm in the Union Ballrooms. Warren's lecture is at 9 p.m.

A word of advice from Frank himself: Arrive early, these events have proven to be immensely popular.