The Art of Letter Writing

Words, especially those written, are immortal.

I couldn’t have said it better but author Virginia Evans, in her first published novel The Correspondent beat me to it.

I was completely enamored with this book, entirely written in the form of letters. In fact, I read it twice.

I love the quaint practice of letter writing but alas, I fear no one else seems to.

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter with a stamped envelope in the mail?

I send thank-you notes, birthday greetings and sympathy messages still via snail mail.

I have an assortment of beautiful cards and writing paper and envelopes on hand always for such occasions.

Am I old fashioned?

The elderly protagonist in The Correspondent, Sybil, feels that corresponding in writing “is really one of the original forms of civility in the world.”

She adds that “letters are the mainstay of my life…and amount to who I am.”

I doubt that anyone can say that today about the onslaught of emails and spam we receive daily in our inbox.

When I was twenty, I moved to Europe. I remember writing pages and pages of letters to my mother and my girlfriend and getting replies. In fact, when my friend found out she was pregnant with her second child, she shared the news with me first in a letter before she even told her husband.

I have a memory of a letter I wrote to my mum when I was a student in Paris, urging her to respond post haste.  There was a married man who was interested in me and I begged her for advice. Her advice wasn’t exactly what one naïve, nubile daughter wanted to hear; nevertheless, there it was in beautiful penmanship in a flimsy, blue aerogram. Remember them?

After two years of living abroad, I was ready to return home. I had two dresser drawers filled with letters I was reluctant to part with. But part with them, I did. I felt like I left a piece of myself in those empty drawers. A piece of my youthful identity.

Is the art of letter writing dead?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, many people believe that the art of letter writing is dead. Emails, text messages, and social media have largely replaced handwritten letters because they are faster, more convenient and instant. As a result, fewer people take the time to sit down and write personal letters. In fact, younger generations don’t even know how to read or write cursive handwriting.

However, despite the dominance of digital communication, letter writing is showing signs of making a comeback. Many individuals appreciate the personal touch and emotional value of a handwritten letter. Unlike electronic messages, letters can be kept for years as meaningful keepsakes. Handwritten notes are becoming popular for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and thank-you messages. (I’m one step ahead of everyone here).

Journaling is a common trend which has encouraged people to rediscover the charm of writing by hand. Businesses also use personalized handwritten messages to create stronger connections with customers. I recently received a handwritten card in the mail from a charity after I had given them a donation. I was pleasantly surprised.

While letter writing may no longer be the primary form of communication, it has evolved into a more special and meaningful way of expressing ourselves. Perhaps, the art of letter writing is not completely dead; rather, it is experiencing a modest revival.

Let’s start a revolution. Canada Post would like that.

Let’s make words become immortal, just like those in my monthly columns!