The art of correspondence begins with a thought.

“I feel like writing a letter.”
“I should send a card to say hello.”
“I feel like using my new Pilot fine point. Who can I write to?”

Once the thought has been recognized, there can be a slight quickening of the pulse for those who enjoy spending time and energy in selecting the correct pen, ink and stationery for their intended recipient. Oh, the possibilities!  Maybe today you’ll use the typewriter you bought at a garage sale recently. Or you’ll write on the back of a local promotional flyer, make postcards out of cereal boxes, high end stationery that you caved in to buy but have been afraid to use. Or maybe you participated in a stationery swap on Swap-bot and have some wonderful new assortments to choose from.

Maybe it’s not the writing paraphernalia that tickles your fancy, but, rather the mood that gets created when you’re in a letter writing frame of mind. Some people have their desk near the window with a cup of pens and pencils at arm’s length and maybe a cup of coffee or tea. There’s probably a candle burning and some music playing softly in the background.

So you have the thought, the utensils and the mood. Next up is the writing. If responding to a letter, you most likely have the letter at hand and have read it again to remind yourself of what was written and to mentally put yourself back in the conversation. Which highlights to respond to? Which topics to start anew? You scroll through your memory of the last few days, weeks or months since your last missive to this person and pick out the highlights to mention in passing or describe in generous detail.
Write. Think. Write. Review. Write. Smile. Enjoy.

Next is the envelope, the address, the stamp. For some it’s just routine- whatever is at hand will do. For others, there is great care and selection in each of these. Choosing a stamp to match the mood of the letter or the personality of the recipient. Color coordinating ink, return label and stamp. Doodles yes? Or doodles no? Stickers. A quote. A joke. A recipe. Each of these (and more) are things that can add a little personality to your letter. And even though it isn’t necessary, sometimes it’s just nice to see the recipient take pause when they hold your letter in their hand and smile, their heart filled with joy.

Some people write a lot of letters and find it helps to have a log to keep track of letters in and letters out. If that’s you, then now is the time to make this entry.
Finally, the letter is posted in the mail and off it goes carrying with it a piece of you; a piece of your heart, a piece of your mind, a little of your DNA, and yes, the original thought that started it all.