I used to be a prolific letter-writer. I used to buy nice quality coloured stationery, and it wasn't just the act of communication with a friend or relative, but the enjoyment of producing something satisfying to hold, open and read. I would produce several letters at one sitting. My mother kept all the letters I sent her when I left home. Mountains of them. It was as good as a diary, and extremely odd reading through them after a quarter of a century. I don't think email is as satisfying, but that's progress!
Really enjoyed this, Kate! Looking forward to the next episode. 😊
Oh, how wonderful that you have the letters you wrote to your mother! That must have been such a trip back in time! I think handwritten letters and cards are so difficult to part with.
They are, aren’t they Kate? Whilst I do keep cards I have to say I did not keep the letters. Unfortunately they were from a very difficult time in my life and were painful to read, so having gone through them all I destroyed them. But you’re right. It was like being in a time warp. It would have been good material for a book!
I love the way you describe the intentional pursuit of letter writing as well as the way it reflected, in some ways at least, your relationship with your mother. I guess it is all a process - creating and destroying.
Thanks for listening and sharing your experience, Jules 💜
Ha! Yes, definite book material, I’m sure…but I get you; I threw away all my old journals and notebooks; I can’t bear to think of anyone reading them when I’m gone!
I love this look at letters and card sending, Kate! I have to say that sending and receiving Christmas cards has dwindled a lot over the past few years in my own family, often, as you say, due to postal costs and time. When my daughter was at uni, we did used to send letters and postcards back and forth on occasion, and I know she really enjoyed doing that! There is something so grounding about receiving a letter, I think, that is lost in digital communication.
Yes to all this. And it’s weird how it seems most people are busier and that’s also a reason not to send. I plan to write (short) holiday cards to my form group this year — let’s see how the teens respond! Thanks, Kate.
Fascinating topic. As noted by you and others, letter writing (Christmas, thank yous etc) has really dwindled. I can't think of the last time I sent a physical letter!
On the flip side, a good friend recently sent me a letter from Germany and it was such a lovely thing to receive. He could have just sent an email, but he went to the effort of a card. A really lovely thought.
I enjoyed reading this, Kathleen. For a very long time I've been fascinated by epistolary stories, although I haven't read that many. For example, the short story Computers Don't Argue (https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/dystopian-visions-computers-dont) is told entirely in letters (emails actually), as is Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, which Rebecca Holden recommended to me some time ago.
Speaking of whom, she and I write a letter to each other on Substack on alternate Wednesdays. Unlike 'round robin' Christmas letters, which are deeply impersonal and self-centred, our letters to each other respond to each other's statements, questions and topics.
On the subject of Christmas letters, I don't read them. They try to give the impression of being personal but are anything but. It is far more honest I think to simply send a card with a short note.
Other epistolary works: the Berry books by Dorford Yates contain some hilarious letters. Also, the Henry Root letters. Are you familiar with them?
Finally, a concept I find both interesting and sad is that of dead letters, the letters that cannot be delivered or, in some cases, are delivered a 150 years too late.
Your letters on Substack definitely bring this concept to a new level, Terry!I don’t know Yates or Root and will check out. Thanks a lot for listening and the great comment 😁
Love the new look - and the subject.
I used to be a prolific letter-writer. I used to buy nice quality coloured stationery, and it wasn't just the act of communication with a friend or relative, but the enjoyment of producing something satisfying to hold, open and read. I would produce several letters at one sitting. My mother kept all the letters I sent her when I left home. Mountains of them. It was as good as a diary, and extremely odd reading through them after a quarter of a century. I don't think email is as satisfying, but that's progress!
Really enjoyed this, Kate! Looking forward to the next episode. 😊
Oh, how wonderful that you have the letters you wrote to your mother! That must have been such a trip back in time! I think handwritten letters and cards are so difficult to part with.
They are, aren’t they Kate? Whilst I do keep cards I have to say I did not keep the letters. Unfortunately they were from a very difficult time in my life and were painful to read, so having gone through them all I destroyed them. But you’re right. It was like being in a time warp. It would have been good material for a book!
I love the way you describe the intentional pursuit of letter writing as well as the way it reflected, in some ways at least, your relationship with your mother. I guess it is all a process - creating and destroying.
Thanks for listening and sharing your experience, Jules 💜
My pleasure! Your wonderful posts always stimulate great discussions. 💛
Ha! Yes, definite book material, I’m sure…but I get you; I threw away all my old journals and notebooks; I can’t bear to think of anyone reading them when I’m gone!
I love this look at letters and card sending, Kate! I have to say that sending and receiving Christmas cards has dwindled a lot over the past few years in my own family, often, as you say, due to postal costs and time. When my daughter was at uni, we did used to send letters and postcards back and forth on occasion, and I know she really enjoyed doing that! There is something so grounding about receiving a letter, I think, that is lost in digital communication.
Yes to all this. And it’s weird how it seems most people are busier and that’s also a reason not to send. I plan to write (short) holiday cards to my form group this year — let’s see how the teens respond! Thanks, Kate.
Ha! Great idea! My husband often writes little notes to his class. I’m sure they’ll like it :) Hope you’re work has eased a little bit…
Not so much but we get 3 weeks at Christmas so can’t complain!!
3 weeks? That sounds civilised -- or do they bgive you a shorter summer break:?
Wonderful! As a letter writer, I love letters, and have recently thought about this topic too. Very much looking forward to this new series xx
Thanks Veronika! Letters are such fun, feeling I need to write one today. ☺️
Great start to this new series, Kate.
Fascinating topic. As noted by you and others, letter writing (Christmas, thank yous etc) has really dwindled. I can't think of the last time I sent a physical letter!
On the flip side, a good friend recently sent me a letter from Germany and it was such a lovely thing to receive. He could have just sent an email, but he went to the effort of a card. A really lovely thought.
Thanks Nathan! Yes when I receive one, it always feels sort of magical. Thanks for listening to the new series 😁
I enjoyed reading this, Kathleen. For a very long time I've been fascinated by epistolary stories, although I haven't read that many. For example, the short story Computers Don't Argue (https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/dystopian-visions-computers-dont) is told entirely in letters (emails actually), as is Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, which Rebecca Holden recommended to me some time ago.
Speaking of whom, she and I write a letter to each other on Substack on alternate Wednesdays. Unlike 'round robin' Christmas letters, which are deeply impersonal and self-centred, our letters to each other respond to each other's statements, questions and topics.
On the subject of Christmas letters, I don't read them. They try to give the impression of being personal but are anything but. It is far more honest I think to simply send a card with a short note.
Other epistolary works: the Berry books by Dorford Yates contain some hilarious letters. Also, the Henry Root letters. Are you familiar with them?
Finally, a concept I find both interesting and sad is that of dead letters, the letters that cannot be delivered or, in some cases, are delivered a 150 years too late.
Your letters on Substack definitely bring this concept to a new level, Terry!I don’t know Yates or Root and will check out. Thanks a lot for listening and the great comment 😁