Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Articles
Writers
 
Browse Sections
Home Family Relationships

Paper and Pen


more a matter of choice these days.
  • DO answer questions previously put to you by the addressee, usually done at the beginning.
  • Remark on any local news significant to you or of interest to your reader.
  • Give updates on your/your family’s health and activities.
  • Use quotes, either direct or indirect. They can be more powerful than the telling of them. (Mom said she hates her new dentist./Mom said, “That man had breath stronger than sour milk. He’s never getting near my face again!”)
  • Touch on a memory or something you enjoy and/or miss about the person. Personal letters are meant to connect, not merely inform.
  • Ask questions. After all, you care enough about this person to be handwriting a letter.
  • If you have artistic ability, include thumbnail sketches of scenes, people, objects, etc. My ability is questionable, but I still sometimes try to draw what I can’t seem to express in words. Open and Close. The standard salutation is “dear.” Use it if you are uncomfortable experimenting with others, as it is acceptable in even business correspondence. However, you can get as friendly (“Hi, guys!) or as romantic (“My sweet”) as you want, and feel is appropriate.

    The most common close is “love,” but often seems awkward. There are plenty of alternatives–“cheers,” “ciao,” “bye for now,” “talk to you soon.” Of course, there are also variations on “love”–“all my love,” “with love,” “love always.” Again, let the nature of the relationship guide you.

    Is the thought of letter writing less intimidating now? I hope so. If even one of you decides to pen a letter, and your reader catches your enthusiasm and writes his own, and so on, perhaps we can revive this important (think of what we’ve learned about history from old letters) and powerful art of communication.

    Check out these sites for more tips, proper etiquette, examples, and even some humor on letter writing.
    Eight of Nine Words About Letter Writing: http://www.hoboes.com/html/FireBlade/Car...
    The Lost Art of Letterwriting: http://www.letterwriter.net (Although this site is aimed at pen pals, much of the information applies to any letter writing.)
    Emily Post on Letter Writing: http://www.bartleby.com/95/28.html

    The copyright of the article Paper and Pen in Family Relationships is owned by Karen Jenista. Permission to republish Paper and Pen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

    Go To Page: 1 2

    Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic