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Printed from https://writing.com/main/my_feedback/action/view/id/4764856
Review #4764856
Viewing a review of:
 
The Art of Letter Writing  [E]
A guide to writing snail mail letters
by Elle - on hiatus
In affiliation with The WDC Angel Army  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Access:  Public | Hide Review (?)
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*CakeB* HAPPY WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY!!! from "Anniversary Reviews*CakeP*
Celebrating your writing this month with a review.


Happy Account Anniversary Elle - on hiatus

I like your article and have loved the notion of letter writing, as to the activity and what it has inspired. I think I attempted to get involved but don't think I got there. But, it did remind me that my brother could have used letters from me, since he refused smart phones, computers, internet etc.

You mention handwriting as being the longer the better. It stirred several thoughts, even now as I process while writing, in whatever order:

The longer a letter goes, my handwriting suffers. As one who got A's in penmanship from fifth grade on, I took pride in it and know it's not endurance but the quick sprint to the end of a page I enjoyed. But, a letter doesn't have to be written all at once. You can start it, relate some activities and thoughts, left out where one will be reminded to continue until ready to send off. Penmanship shouldn't suffer in this way. But, with the handwritten, what the loved one/reader views is a part of that writer/person that immerses you deeper in the experience from knowing the curvature of those penned characters on mead, familiarity that might feel like home/comforting. My brother worked as a diesel mechanic/foreman and wrote everything in block letters, partly as an exercise from spending his life abusing those hands...strong enough to rip a phonebook in half despite his 5'9", 160 pound frame. I saved those letters and will reread since his departure in February. It's a piece of history, could be a part of genealogy for any family in this way. Something a family might use when compiling unique information to collect.

I'm also reminded by your activity as it closely relates to offerings of writers in this community who pen odes. Some of the great poets like John Keats, known for their letters to one that they love, had outpouring that were noted by literary historians. As part of these exercises, it would be fun to try love letters/odes to someone special. It could be expressed as admiration, too. What was intimated in many early letters poet to poet, poet to brother or family, is still studied or used as some sort of measure on a historic scale to show the growth and development of these passionate and keenly attuned writers. Some of the most inspirational stuff comes from wooing and courting in those old notes. It could be revived as a poetry activity to write toward a society of dead poets. Too bad they couldn't stick around to see how the affected other writers and minds. Currently, they're writing elegies to any musician dead or alive for an activity.

I think the process of handwriting is slow and doesn't serve this old noggin' that's output is faster than the arthritic joints that want to quit gripping a utensil after an hour. If they could invent something to write with that grips you more than you it that might be an invention to help note-takers and possibly resurrect letter writers, if postage stamps would stabilize. Reminds, I was a stamp collector. Post office tried to make a mint of this with different type of issuances, as with coins. The year Elvis stamps came out, people were routing mail either to themselves or others through the Rock, Michigan post office...leaving them quite the task then.

Wherever this letter writing project is going, wherever you'll be, it has worth as a writing exercise. I should have given it more consideration. It's unfortunate that you cannot be here to stimulate its proliferation, sensing it did not get a lot interest. I never wanted to see you go and struggle with affliction, as you have shared. You are brave to bear your soul and allow others to offer whatever comfort, should it aid in returning you to us, as I've outlined in response to your recent blogging (so eloquently *Smile*).

You know I love you for all you have done for me. This thing Idealism taught to the child self is unshakeable, to want fantasy to be reality: everyone a king and queen or prince and princess or the knight in their own right. Dragons? Have to have a foil for purpose of story, though... But, reality is messy. If we can take off the rose colored glasses and see it for the way it is, I would just sit back in my lawn chair and watch the carnage. Yes, there are good people, like you, but trapped in their towers, surrounded by moats with combatants to divert, divide us, while the world touts inclusion. *Sad*

And this community was never going to be my route to being discovered as novelist I thought I wanted, again with the fantasy, long shot, gamble with words. I got distracted because...oooh, shiny thing(s)! And, I guess I came up short as just poet with something of 2,000 complete and these incomplete, short little interruptions wherever playing on whatever lighted screen viewing, mocking me, to myself. But, I'm good with that. I can write many things yet and hopefully something will be long enough or worthy to publish, as have a few pieces in recent years. I don't doubt my skills, doubt the world and the way it functions to absorb me or spit me out, decrying the flavor. And sadly, that has motivated me, too.

That sounded like a downer. No, you and me will be good. Lowering your sights might help with that resultant anxiety. But, knowing who you are and not what people say you are is better, emboldens, makes you ten times stronger every time they take a run at you...be your own shot caller...because it transfers fear. We all want unity and that's ironically the one thing the world will be denied...and this was supposed to end on a better note.

Hopefully, we'll be in touch (if only through our FitBits). Perhaps, a letter will come your way one day. *Smile*


Brian

WDC Anniversary
and Angel Army Reviewer
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PS, I have it on good authority that it's okay to ramble on about oneself in review ... 'it's the best' echoes loudly still. It's sort of intoning someone jabbing me on my skill of reviewing and offer of assistance to community with nothing personal to gain in the endeavor...for you, this, sharing with someone who deserves the best. There are few I'd bare my soul, too, or trust more. And, isn't a review like this the next best thing to letter writing...minus my penmanship?

Let's see ChatGPT beat that. "No Chat! People don't use flowery words like that. We've been over this." Back to the helm of my internet world. *RollEyes*


reginam nostram noli depellere. imo ad ipsum.



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