The Joy of Letter Writing: Reviving a Habit Long Lost
Do you remember how years before the advent of the Internet we used to write old-fashioned letters to one another that we stamped and mailed? Maybe we even got creative and sealed the letter with special sealing wax.
In a
sense, with the emergence of email correspondence, letter writing has taken
another form, but there’s no doubt that there’s still something magical about
writing and receiving a handwritten letter.
Why Write Letters?
There
are many advantages to writing a letter, as doing so can be a vital tool for clarifying your
feelings to yourself or others. The real purpose of a letter is to inform,
instruct, entertain, amuse, explore psychological problems, keep in touch, or even
provide something as basic as loving sentiments.
Letters can also be a way to write down thoughts
as a segue to face-to-face discussions. Some people use letter writing to
release pent-up emotions, such as complaints to companies about malfunctioning
products or letters to the editor commenting on current events.
Typically, when addressing a particular issue
in a letter, it’s easier (and healthier) to blow up on the page rather than doing
so directly toward an individual. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also
amusing to write love letters as a way to express one’s innermost feelings.
Many writers are quite good at letter writing.
Some use the form of a letter to warm up or get into the swing of their writing
practice. It’s also a good way to develop one’s voice. And, many writers, such
as myself, jot down thoughts in a journal in letter form as a way to get the words
flowing.
For example, author John McPhee once said that
every book he wrote began with the words “Dear Mother.” His letters didn’t
typically end up in his published books, but they helped him open up to the
thoughts and feelings that were currently on his mind.
Diarist Anaïs Nin began her first journal
entry as a letter to her deranged father as a way to remain connected with him.
She never actually sent the letter, but it ended up being the spark for her writing
passion.
The truth is, it’s not always necessary to
mail the letters you write. Sometimes the simple exercise of writing the letter
is all that’s needed to clear the mind and calm the psyche.
Some people choose to write
letters to their pets, but in truth, you can really write to whomever or
whatever inspires you. It is important to date your letters, though, so
you can keep track of what you were thinking at a particular time.
You might even consider making a
copy for your records. Sometimes it’s amusing and informative to reread letters
you’ve written and sent, and if you’re a writer, maybe the contents can be used
in a future literary work.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of letter
writing is the opportunity to communicate exactly what’s on your mind. What
more could a writer ask for than a specific, hand-picked, captivated reader?
Where to Begin?
The best way to start a letter is to jot down what
prompted you to write in the first place and explain why you were thinking of
the recipient at that particular time.
The letters we most enjoy receiving are those that
reveal the writer’s personality. When reading well-written letters, we feel as
if the sender is sitting with us, looking us in the eye, and speaking to us.
Tips for Writing a Letter
- Use simple, easy-to-understand sentences.
- Avoid using long, complicated words.
- Be specific.
- Break your letter into small sections or paragraphs.
- Make sure your voice or tone is appropriate for the
subject of the letter. - For clarity, read the letter aloud.
- Write, rewrite, and polish your letter as needed.
Happy Writing!
If you could say anything you wanted to anyone
in the world, who would you address and why? What would you say? Please share
with our community and maybe you could even consider writing down a letter and
mailing it.
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