I have long been a letter writer. In fact, there is a strong argument that this is what set me on my path to becoming a writer. Admittedly my correspondence can be somewhat intermittent (I have an appalling track record in recent years for thank you letters), but I feel that the act of sitting down and putting pen to paper, to create a personal and unique communication, is important. Both for me the creator, and for the recipient.
When I receive letters, I almost always smile immediately. I know that someone has taken the time to sit down, to think of me, and to craft a personal story. I don’t mind what paper is used – yes there are some very pretty note papers out there, but boring old plain or lined school exercise book type also works. It is the content more than the appearance that I appreciate after all. I don’t mind the ink or the handwriting – I will never judge. Whether or not the writers of my letters (and I include notes in Christmas/ birthday cards in this) are aware, I keep all the letters I receive*. I enjoy looking back at them, particularly the ones I received as a child, with the drawings incorporated in the text.
For me, writing by hand is a skill that should not be lost. It is a naturally slower process and so allows me to take stock about what I’m saying more so perhaps than typing. It is why I usually write the first draft of my stories by hand rather than typing directly into a computer (which is ironically the process that I’m using for this blog). I enjoy the feel of the pen in my hand and prefer the proper ink pens – fountain or ball point – as the ink has a nicer fluidity. It flows.
Letters have been the primary mode of communication for several hundred years. Obviously, this would historically have been limited to the upper classes, and predominantly the men, as they would be the only individuals who could read and write. But with the growth of education, and greater freedoms and rights, and not forgetting the development of the postal system, more people could and did correspond.
I recently investigated a fascinating exhibition by the University of Nottingham, at the Lakeside Exhibition Centre (running until the 3rd of March, and I recommend a visit). ‘Living Letters’ explored the fascinating history of letter writing, with examples from their archives. It identified how all stages of life are discussed. Husbands might describe (sometimes in unexpected detail) the birth of their children; parents and children separated for schooling or employment might share stories; as well as the more sombre letters of sympathy and condolence associated with death, grief and the legal complexities inheritance.
Beyond the personal, informal correspondence are the formal work correspondence and details of legal matters. Communication that we may take for granted and perhaps consider boring – albeit essential – aspects of life, are still means of connecting us.
It was fascinating to learn that during the 1800s, there were many keen letter collectors, who obtained (presumably purchased) letters from historical figures of the past. They were stored in letter books or albums – and have given me pause for thought over my own personal letter collections. Perhaps I should create albums for my own correspondence? Of particular interest (to me at least) was the Nottingham Architect T. C. Hine (1813-1899), who not only collected letters, but supporting materials such as newspaper clippings, and created his own classification system.
Another interesting section discussed the gaps that there are in archives. These may be from lost letters, from letters never having been written – perhaps the final points being discussed verbally – or letters having been destroyed. It is not lost on me, that my own letter collections are incredibly bitty, as I only have the letters which are written to me. I cannot cross reference what I may have sent previously to which my correspondent is replying. Between us we may have a complete story. (Or, if letters have been discarded, thrown away or misplaced, perhaps we don’t.)
Similarly, going back to my intermittent writing habits, there will be without doubt gaps in the story due to the passage of time. Whilst historically many of the true correspondents are likely to have written regularly, and promptly, to provide a clear record of their lived experiences, more current writing practices leave gaps between letters of 6 to twelve months which cannot possibly be crammed into one letter. The gaps in letter archives are therefore only likely to increase.
Another key point that I picked up on – was on the different writing styles and habits. Particularly early letters are composed of tiny handwriting, to maximise the text that can be fit onto one page as the ‘paper’ (which prior to the 1890s would have been velum, parchment, or linen not the wood-pulp based material that we know today) would have been expensive. A particularly eye watering example of this showed the ‘crossed writing’ style, whereby effectively two sides of writing are fit onto the one side, by writing the second ‘side’ at 90 degrees to the first. I have tried my own version of this (in both quill and fountain pen… see below) and the concentration to read (and indeed write) it is intense. Even with the increase in postage prices, I can’t see (and I’m pleased) that this will ever make a comeback.
Letter writing is a practice that may now have to fight against the more immediate nature of texts, messaging services, email and of course telephone/ video communications. There may be questions raised by the costs of postage (I understand that limited use results in more cost to process, but that is perhaps a debate for elsewhere!), but I still feel the letter has value. It is a personal, unique, piece of literature, tailored to the recipient by the writer. Sharing personal messages in a way cannot be replicated. No email will ever feel the same as getting a small, personal, envelope through the post. No type will ever capture the uniqueness of an individual’s handwriting (even if some of that handwriting takes several attempts, and perhaps some cross referencing, to decipher).
I was please to be introduced to the University of Nottingham’s Literary Journal devoted to Letters ‘The Letters Page’ and will be looking to make my own contribution, as I subscribe to share the love of letters with my fellow writers.
And in the more immediate, I am now off to put pen to paper and scribe a missive to a distant friend.