What do you put in your letters?

[Beechwood]

Morning Carl

 

Bit chilly up here today!

 

 

To all

 

On a similar theme there has been some excellent books under the theme of Ladies of Letters, followed by a radio series and then a successful UK TV series, really enjoyable stuff.

 

You might like to see http://www.ladiesofletters.co.uk/

 

 

All The Best

 

 

Graham

 

[carlc]

Morning Carl

 

Bit chilly up here today!

 

 

To all

 

On a similar theme there has been some excellent books under the theme of Ladies of Letters, followed by a radio series and then a successful UK TV series, really enjoyable stuff.

 

You might like to see http://www.ladiesofletters.co.uk/

 

 

All The Best

 

 

Graham

:roflmho:

 

[Cedar]

I agree the first letter is the hardest to write. If I can, I talk the other person into going first. I've had some great first letters much better than I would have written.

 

I think I have 8 people that I write to (I think it must be 6 that write back....maybe 4). I would prefer if the other party had decided that they didn't have time and we weren't a good match, etc. that they'd tell me. I can understand that might be difficult. Still....here I am not knowing whether I have the time to pick up another person to write to or whether I might get swamped with those I'd given up on sending letters. (never mind, small rant)

 

ALL of my writers are quite different. Some I discuss politics and religion with others I do not. I do try to create or leave an opening of ideas that I would like read about. And, if (more accurately when) I express an opinion I ask the other person for their opinion. I like to know how someone else sees the world or events, etc. It gets to be boring if we just keep sticking to the safe, mundane topics. IMO.

 

I think my letters are improving. Some of the earlier ones were really herky-jerky disjointed, ramble on and on, some got recycled before they were sent, some I wish I'd not sent but it's all a process and I think the letters are improving with practice and learning to think and formulate in my mind what I want to say before I start writing. This seems to be true with those I've received and those I've sent. People seem to be patient with going through that process, generally.

 

I'd really miss those letters and the people behind them if they stopped for some reason. The mail coming has become so much more of an event to look forward to since fountain pens and letters that may come.

 

Cedar

 

[Wildoaklane]

In a similar theme there has been some excellent books under the theme of Ladies of Letters, followed by a radio series and then a successful UK TV series, really enjoyable stuff.

 

You might like to see http://www.ladiesofletters.co.uk/

 

 

All The Best

 

 

Graham

I must live under a toadstool as I had not heard of these ladies...sounds hilarious. Let me pout abit as ITV doesn't see fit to share their videos with those of us across the pond (I've already shared feelings with them before about other shows). I've ordered the books as it seems too funny. Thanks for sharing this tidbit!

[Miranda]

I'm a bit in the same boat as you, keen to send out a few letters to friends.

 

In your case, you could start with the whole fountain pen bit as a way of explaining why you are doing something so bizarre as actually writing to them. That should take up a far bit of space. Don't forget to ask them to send you all their old pens they no longer use! This could be the opening gambit for any letter. Have this new ink, so I thought I'd write. Do you like the colour?

 

Of course, don't overload them with too much pen info, as they might get the affliction and demand all the pens back that they have just sent you!

 

I try to make more use of the technology at our hands. I often print out a small photo [usually of my Airedale Terriers] and write on that page as the letter. Gives a focal point. I usually make a photocopy to keep,

[fuchsiaprincess]

I like the quote from the John Denver song that goes "there's all the news to tell him, how ya spend your time, what's the latest thing the neighbors say. you're mother called last friday, sunshine made her cry..."

 

I like the quotidian aspects of life and putting them in letters. What are you having for dinner? Has the dog disgraced himself again? What new pen do you have? What are you reading? Seen any good movies lately? What's your favorite tv program? What kind of music do you like, what's on the cd (or ipod) right now? We talk politics, music, movies, gardening, pens/paper/ink/ of shoes and ships and sealing wax... Where are you writing the letter, at the kitchen table, sitting on the back porch? In a neighborhood bar? The library?

 

I do NOT map it out in advance. I usually write as I read... what ever comes into my little noggin. I think of this as less of an essay contest than just chatting over the back fence...

 

Come on in, the water's fine!

 

skyppere

 

 

Hi Skyppere,

 

Very well put indeed! That's how I write my letters too.

 

Regards,

Soki

[Chris Chalmers]

I second that - but have to add that sometimes my pens run away with themselves and the letter turns out completely different to what I had in mind! Some on this site will know that!!!!

[PacificCoastPen]

The first letter is apt to spell out background, family of origin, schooling, profession. I always tell which pen and ink I am using. What paper. I have a stream of consciousness type approach with subsequent letters. Often, topics are raised and then you're off...replying to those and bringing up more. I've had people describe their backyards as they write including when the sprinkler swamped the patio table with their letter. Cats jumping on and off laps. There is no way to write a letter. Whatever happens from ink to paper, happens. Be yourself.

[GreenVelvet]

1. General updates on life (what have I been up to lately?)

 

2. Comments on what the other person has been up to

 

3. How has the other person been doing?

 

4. Writing about common interests

 

5. Answering any questions, and asking new ones

 

6. Stickers

 

I really love that "stickers" gets its own number.

[Daosus]

I got a reply from a friend who clearly had not written a letter before. It was formulaic, yet disjointed. My friend was close to me, yet she used a very formal tone. This made no sense. Did I care? No! I got a letter! I wrote her back promptly, and we started a correspondence that lasted several years.

 

Think on the times you get letters. Do you care that they're a little weird or rambling? Probably not! We all enjoy writing and reading (I think), and getting something in the mail that's not a bill or ad.

 

Oh, and I'm Russian and I talk about the weather constantly. Plus, since I moved to the desert recently, and my friends are back east among the trees, I get to describe the dust storms and tumbleweeds and the (very occasional) times it rains here.

[gyasko]

Oh, and I'm Russian and I talk about the weather constantly. Plus, since I moved to the desert recently, and my friends are back east among the trees, I get to describe the dust storms and tumbleweeds and the (very occasional) times it rains here.

 

How Japanese of you.

 

In Japan, it's standard form in a personal letter to include a note on the weather or the season. I would start today's letter with a note about the cherries and tulips coming to bloom.

 

English seems to lack guidelines about form beyond the level of the sentence. That can make things difficult in cases like these.

[gyasko]

Oh, and I'm Russian and I talk about the weather constantly. Plus, since I moved to the desert recently, and my friends are back east among the trees, I get to describe the dust storms and tumbleweeds and the (very occasional) times it rains here.

 

How Japanese of you.

 

In Japan, it's standard form in a personal letter to include a note on the weather or the season. I would start today's letter with a note about the cherries and tulips coming to bloom.

 

English seems to lack guidelines about form beyond the level of the sentence. That can make things difficult in cases like these.

[MiniMaupassant]

When I receive a letter I might make a rough draft of the response in my notebook and ideas will flow from this. The conversation will range from the sublime to the ridiculous and covering most in between such as the weather and current affairs. I might also talk about what I have been up to recently and whether I've read any good books or seen any good films or plays.

 

My first letters to new correspondents always follow the tried and tested formula of a bit about myself and where I come from, how the interest with FPs started and a note of whatever combination of paper/ink/pen I am using that day, in fact, I always jot these details on each letter.

 

Once the relationship with your correspondent develops, you won't be lost for words, just mindful of how much paper is being used!

 

[Kabe]

Right now wrting my first letter, I've found I have an easy flowing 'talk' about many matters, but those matters are disjointed. i.e. one paragraph about family, one about work, next about family again. The sintax is there, but I'll rewrite the letter giving the subjects an order.

[ccajackson]

So far, my time allows me only to write to family and friends, so I am not too worried about topics. In these instances, I pretty much give an account of recent notable events in my family's life and work from there. I had it instilled in my brain as a child that social letters should be about giving information, and you should not ask questions of the recipient. Not sure how that arose, but I tend to follow it still. The exception being if I work it into a statement (e.g. "I know that your hockey season is winding down, I hope your team continued to lead the league.") Hopefully, that is enough of a push to get a fuller account in the return letter. Of course, if I must know the answer, I will simply ask outright .

 

If you want some hints at letter content, and some interesting reading to boot, you could always pick up a book of some notable person's letters. As a high schooler, I very much enjoyed James Thurber's stories. As a gift, I received a compilation of his letters and it was an amusing insight into the person. It has been years since I read it, but I am feeling inspired to dig out the book.

 

Good luck!

C-C

[GreenVelvet]

I had it instilled in my brain as a child that social letters should be about giving information, and you should not ask questions of the recipient. Not sure how that arose, but I tend to follow it still.

 

Reeeeallly? Wow. I'd never considered that. I always thought the folks who never asked me any questions were just kinda self-absorbed. Go figure!

[ccajackson]

I had it instilled in my brain as a child that social letters should be about giving information, and you should not ask questions of the recipient. Not sure how that arose, but I tend to follow it still.

 

Reeeeallly? Wow. I'd never considered that. I always thought the folks who never asked me any questions were just kinda self-absorbed. Go figure!

I've been wracking my brain to see when this brain-washing occurred. If it was in school, then it may be that the "mandate" came from a teacher during a pen-pal event or letter writing session. In this case she didn't want the whole letter to be along the lines of: "How are you? How is your school? Do you play sports?..." and not provide any information about ourselves. I'll have to ask my parents next time I talk to them if this was their influence.

 

Whether it was from a teacher or parent, I'm sure they'd love to know that the teaching has stuck in my head for 30+ years!

 

 

C-C

 

GV - Of course this explanation doesn't rule out the possibility of a self-absorbed writer, but at least I have sown the seeds of doubt!

Edited May 22, 2009 by ccajackson

[LeftyCalligrapher]

My friends are used to my excesses and obsessional behavior. I am not sure how to approach it with someone new as I'm pretty sure I'd be a little "way too out there" if I wasn't careful.

You're on the FPN, and you think the people here will be put off by your obsessive behaviour? You're hi-larious.

 

I quite agree! My friends are fascinated by the contents of my purse which usually contains about 20 assorted fountain pens, pencils, and markers (and occasionally a refill or two) Yes, I'm a pen geek and proud of it! You're among friends here! :roflmho:

[countrydirt]

My letter exchange letters are getting more and more relaxed. Pretty stream of conciousness. I am glad that it is not critical to write in essay form. I can write proper sentences, but enjoy writing like I talk. I spend all day helping kids read and write properly, so it is nice to let my hair down. I share many things - some funny, some weather related, some religious, etc. I always identify the pen and ink I am using.

[LeftyCalligrapher]

Hello,

 

I certainly agree with many of the interesting responses that you have received. Since I work full time plus several other (more creative) outlets on the side, my writing time is limited. My letters tend to look like journals - compiled of several pages with assorted dates - sometimes assorted paper, if the mood to write strikes while I'm on lunch hour at work!

 

I love receiving letters about what people are doing and interesting personal events or things that they are thinking about or working up towards doing. I also find photographs fascinating and little enclosures are always a plus (newspaper, magazine, drawings, postcards, stickers). I also try to provide the occasional interesting enclosure. Letters are difficult to answer that don't contain questions! When I receive long diatribes without any questions, I tend to put those letters aside for much longer.

 

The longer you do this (i.e., the more practice you get), the better you will be at it, by trial and error! The fun is in the practice - and the thrill of seeing a handwritten note in your mail box. When you start writing to someone new, correspondence cards work well since there is a smaller writing area and the note to a new person can be shorter. Then I go to folded notes, followed by letter sheets. Of course, if someone sends me a very interesting first letter, sometimes I skip the preliminaries and go straight to full sheets!