Dear Reader and Friend,
I’m on a bit of a break from fiction writing. How then, to satiate my love of language during this tumultuous time? I’ve been doing two things: reading some great novels and writing letters. The novel I’m reading now is North Woods by Daniel Mason that spans four centuries. Not a fluffy read, but oh so satisfying. As for the letters, yup, I’m still at it. Good ol’ correspondence through the mail. And I’ve learned a few things about letters from those kind people writing me back. There are all kinds of letters! Here’s a list of some I have received.
Catch-up letters. Lovely and rambling. Intimate.
Story letters. A single fun story. Has an arc.
Inquiring letters. Asks the reader to offer some insight on a specific issue.
Advice letters. Best, in my opinion, if advice has been asked for.
Obviously, there are other kinds of letters people write. Love letters, Dear John letters, and all kinds of business-related letters. I’m learning there is a real art to letter writing, and it is largely a lost art. We expect quick responses these days. Get frustrated when someone takes too long to text back. But getting a letter in mail, it is such a joy. And knowing I am giving that joy to a friend or family member tickles me no end.
Recently a friend gave me a wax-stamp kit. This has added a whole new opportunity to slow down. It takes time to do correctly. Too fast and the envelope catches fire or you get drips. But it’s so satisfying to get right.
So that’s my letter to you. A bit rambling, and, I admit, one that has a bit of an ulterior motive. I want to bring back the lost art of letter writing!
Would love to know your thoughts about anything. What you’re reading, if you like to write letters, or used to, I’m all ears.
And remember: Live the Love, it’s all we’ve got.
Over and out,
Clifford Mae
Sorry about the rejection, but nicely done! I got one of those with my first book and the next publisher snapped it up. I hope for that for you. But no shame in going indie. Your writing is too good to not get read.
May I have your same good fortune. Thanks for checking in. Just ordered Endurance. Looking forward.
I hope something will come through soon! I so look forward to reading your next book!
Thanks! Me too.
I like a nice 3×5 card in the mail with a quite note. Short and sweet. How’s the pickleball?
Short and sweet. Get it. On a break from pickleball. Dixie got a pretty serious injury. Sigh. How’s skateboarding? Thanks for checking in.
I just finished a novel titled “The Correspondent: A Novel” by Virginia Evans that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was in this current time, but she insisted on writing letters. Because of that, I wrote a letter to my (17 y. o.) granddaughter in Aptos, which I sent to her from New Zealand. I have since learned that it takes 4 to 6 weeks for letters to get to the U.S., thus I won’t be sending any letters to you from here. I love postal letters, as well. I used to have a wax-stamp kit. They’re so much fun.
I’m sorry that you got a rejection for your current book. I feel a bit social media adverse, too. Please let all your fans know if you self-publish
I read that too, after I began my letter writing crusade. Really enjoyed it. And it did a lot for the cause of Writing Letters.
Thanks for chiming in.
Hi Clifford, Ive been reading ww2 novels on and off for years. Sometimes they are too much but Gone to Soldiers by Marge Piercy is my ultimate favorite. Also reading William Kent Krueger This Tender land. I think you would love it.
Love to you and Dixie,
Patricia