The Art of Letter Writing

Sending physical correspondence establishes a sense of personal connection that is lost when your words, thoughts and ideas are sent digitally.

If you spend a lot of time looking at your screen, despite the digital detox trend, it’s not necessarily something you should be ashamed of. The virtual world is where technology has evolved us and it's a more efficient, economical and sustainable approach to communication than drowning in reams of paper.

Nevertheless, you probably do feel the limitations of doing everything virtually. Some things simply require a tangible means of conveying meaning, and personal correspondence is one of those things. Just like people buy indie design magazines to experience the weight of the paper while flipping their pages, writing and reading a physical letter somehow makes your communication feel more meaningful.

You may not think twice about shooting off the dozens of emails you send a day. But when you sit down to write a letter, it's an experience. Perhaps you clear your workspace, pull out your favorite ink pen, lightly touch your stationery, then take a moment to consider how to craft your words from a thoughtful place.

For that reason, it’s important to keep the lost tradition of letter writing alive. It reminds us of the importance of physical items. Humans have always been craftsmen and we find meaning in what we can create and touch.

Moreover, being a penpal and sending written communications to loved ones or even strangers, establishes a sense of personal connection that is lost when your words, thoughts and ideas are sent digitally.

Though it’s ok to embrace the convenience of typing and tapping on our Macs, iPads, and iPhones, these devices don't replace the simple pleasure of handwritten correspondence. So in this guide we discuss the art of writing great letters.

Occasions to send

Though you may appreciate the idea of letter writing, with just about all communication being via digital channels these days, you may be wondering when is an appropriate time to send a handwritten letter. Here are a few scenarios when a personal handwritten note is just as acceptable, if not more appropriate, than a mere email, text or social post.

When you want to show that you really care

There are certain situations that call for more than thumbing stock emoticons. Major life events, such as marriages and births, as well as the expression of sympathy, are appropriate for sending written correspondence.

When you want to surprise and delight someone

Because communication is so digitally-driven, imagine the delight of receiving a beautiful physical letter in the mail. Letters are a wonderful way to do something extra special for someone you care about.

When you want to express gratitude and appreciation

Nothing says thank you more than sending a thoughtful note in the mail to someone who has uplifted your life in some small or large way. Knowing that you actually took the time to write your thank you will give it more meaning.

When you want your message to be preserved

While sending an email is sure to be deleted not long after it is read, a person may be more compelled to keep a letter, especially if it’s written on beautiful stationery. If you see your message as a keepsake, it’s best to send it physically.

Formatting your letters

Because this guide is about personal (vs. formal) correspondence, there are no hard rules to follow in terms of how you write your letters. However, here are a few methods to consider if you need a bit of guidance:

• Send postcards to say hello while traveling.

• Send cards for life events like birthdays.

• Send note cards for short messages such as a thank you.

• Send full letters to a penpal or writing partner.

Again, because it is informal your personal correspondence does not have to follow any writing convention, but you may want to include:

• The date so your recipient can remember when it was sent and have context if they read it in the future.

• Your return address just in case the recipient feels compelled to write back.

• A nice greeting that’s more special than just a generic “Hi”. Adding “Dear ” is a standard but more warm example.

• A loose structure to your message (introduction, body, conclusion) that helps the recipient follow your thoughts easier.

• A nice signature such as “With Love” or “Kind Regards” or whatever sign-off you deem to be appropriate.

Finding a penpal

If you are committed to reviving the lost art of letter writing and want to handwrite more than just occasionally, you may benefit from finding a penpal.

Send regular greetings to friends and family

You can simply start by sending regular greetings to your existing close personal connections, particularly those who don’t live near you. This can be in the form of a “thinking of you” or life update letter that you send on a quarterly basis.

If any of your loved ones are compelled to write back, this may be the start of a longer term exchange that can satisfy your desire to handwrite letters regularly.

Ask loose acquaintances and people you connect with

If you make a special connection with someone that you meet, don’t automatically assume you can’t develop the relationship because of distance or some other barrier. Likewise, you can use this to revive an old friendship you fell out of touch with.

It may feel like a stretch but could be worth asking if you can keep in touch ever so often. Perhaps you start via a digital channel then once trust is established, move your communication to letter form.

Letter prompts and ideas

Once you’ve established who you are going to write to, what do you actually write? If your correspondence is not linked to a particular event or circumstance, you can use these prompts as ideas for the contents of your letters.

• Provide a general life update and be sure to inquire about their life as well.

• Offer words of encouragement and positive inspiration.

• Share what you’re working on, or your current goals and challenges.

• Discuss a recent book you’ve read and how it impacted you.

• Ask for advice and, if you believe the recipient is open to it, give advice too.

• Reminisce on something from the past if you share a history with your writing partner.

Explore

For lengthier letters, a sophisticated set of writing sheets from Crane will elevate your words.

These correspondence cards by Symthson can be personalized so shorter notes are still noteworthy.

Look no further than Pineider for exceptional luxury and bespoke stationery, including these with compliments cards.

Mount Street Printers offers a stunning selection of stationery for the utmost of quality and sustainability.

Benneton Graveur is a Parisian heritage brand that has been crafting prestige paper goods since 1880.

For more attainable and whimsical stationery sets, Papier is full of fun and vibrant options.

Moo also has an array of elevated bulk offerings for your business or professional needs.

Your writing instruments are just as important as the paper, so consider investing in a keepsake pen from Cartier.

Montblanc is even more known for their luxurious pens, including these beautiful rollerballs with complimentary customization.