There is a charm to letters and cards that emails and smses can’t ever replicate, you cannot inhale them, drawing the fragrance of where they have been mailed from, the feel of paper in your hand bearing the weight of the words they contain within.
Kiran Manral
A friend was telling me about a book she was reading composed of letters. It started me thinking of the many books I have read of letters, each revealing the intimate thoughts and emotions of their authors. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and Letters Home by Sylvia Plath come to mind as examples that showcase the power of written correspondence. These works not only capture personal stories but also reflect the historical and cultural contexts in which they were written. I suppose these kinds of books written today will cease to exist; in today’s society, people do not write letters. Instead, they send emails or texts that lack the nuance of a handwritten note. I can’t imagine reading a book composed solely of emails; they often feel impersonal and lack the depth of meaningful communication.
The art of letter writing fosters contemplation and reflection, allowing for the expression of layers of meaning and sentiment that are lost in the rapid exchange of messages. This careful crafting of thoughts not only reveals the writer’s emotions but also invites the reader to fully immerse themselves in the writer’s world. The richness that comes from expressing oneself through handwritten words or even typed letters infuses the communication with a sense of intimacy and personal connection that emails lack. It feels as though we are losing touch with a crucial form of communication that not only connects us but also enriches our understanding of ourselves and each other.
I suppose these opinions reflect my age. Today’s generation, having never written or received letters, is unlikely to miss them. Letter writing, a crucial method of communication, has historically served as a profound medium for exchanging ideas and emotions. These intimate exchanges offered insights into the thoughts and feelings of authors and intellectuals, fostering deeper connections with readers. Furthermore, such letters often serve as historical documents, reflecting the social and political issues of their time. As we move further away from this significant mode of expression, we should take a moment to appreciate the lasting impact and importance of letter writing, not only as a means of communication but as an essential part of our cultural heritage. I understand that this might come across as a bit of a rant, but as a writer, it’s something I’m passionate about.
Peace be with you.
Aging with Grace 
9 responses to “The Lost Art of Letter Writing”
” I understand that this might come across as a bit of a rant, but as a writer, it’s something I’m passionate about.” Um, that’s what blogs are for — to express the things that matter to us and we worry that we’re losing. 🙂 🙂
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Good reminder. What we write wouldn’t be authentic if it didn’t matter to us. 🤓
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Thank you for a lovely article. When I cleaned out my great aunt and uncle’s home some years ago, my great aunt saved every letter she ever received. I have literally hundreds of letters saved in archival grade boxes. Many of them will go back to 1902 and have beautiful cursive handwriting. Many of them are for the years of the great war in the early 1940s. I have yet to look at many of them, but I am intrigued. They await for me when I have time on my hands, but nothing else to do in the middle of winter. I’m not sure if they were talking about every day life, World War III or swapping recipes. Some of the letters are even in Swedish so I can’t read them. But yes, I agree the art of letter writing and even writing in cursive is lost and it’s a shame.
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What a treasure! To find family letters dating back over one hundred years. ❤️
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lovely post! “Letters Home” by Sylvia Plath would be an interesting read… thanks, Linda xx
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I enjoyed, “Letters Home”. It’s a collection of letters written to her family. Thank you for your comments. ❤️
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I’ll have to try to track it down, I read a lot of Plath when I was younger (and she’s still studied for high school here in Australia – although her husband seems to get more coverage), so I’d be curious. Thanks again, Linda 🙂
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🤔 ⭐️ I have a glitch that often keeps me from using the like button. Let me know if you get around to the Plath book and how you if you enjoy it.
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Will do! (I have a similar glitch that comes and goes – some days I can’t comment on posts in the WP reader).
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