It was a major find. My heart skipped a beat!
At the bottom of a musty, dust-filled trunk that hadn’t 
seen the light of day for decades, lay a packet of letters, abandoned for perhaps 130 years? There were 51 of them—yellowed and brittle with age. Each page was a treasure trove of love, gardening tips, the weather, and religious services. They were passionate in a formal sort of way.
The year was 1880. With quill pen in hand, and a crocheted flower in the upper left-hand corner, my great grandmother had written these letters by the light of a kerosene lantern. Each one had been given a huge amount of TLC. Reaching back into her history, here were some of my initial impressions of her:
• Writing style was an art form
• Spelling was impeccable
• Sentence structure was complete
• Attention to detail left little to the imagination
This was a woman who probably did not finish high school. Who knows how much she read books or newspapers. But she cared enough to develop the rich gift of writing. Without any of the modern-day conveniences, she took immense pride in her style of writing.
My lesson from reading her letters was multifold. I’m going to take Nancy Burke Barr’s advice and re-read The Elements of Style. Fifteen minutes a day will be set aside to honing writing skills. Here are a few tips worth employing:
1. Appropriate vocabulary. Be specific. Use adjectives and powerful phrases, i.e., “the ceaseless grind of the earth mover on this blistery day” rather than the noisy machine across the street.
2. Word choices. This would include words that relate to the five senses. Onomatopoeia might be a good choice here: “Zipping up the zipper …”
3. Structural clarity. Each paragraph builds on the last one.
4. Variety. The length of sentences should change to capture the reader’s interest.
5. Overuse of one word. This has been the most difficult step for me to employ. Each week I take out one word from my vocabulary that I’m overusing, like “great” or “awesome” or “you know,” and replace it with a more powerful word. It is okay to overwork the Thesaurus!
6. Conversational tone. This is not a term paper, my friends. It is meant to be a dialog that is shared and enjoyed.
Writing is an art. I often wish I would have taken those English classes a lot more seriously in college, however, it is never too late to develop excellent, thoughtful writing skills.
My friend, Jennifer Akers, a freelance writer, offers many different resources to guide you through the maze of effective writing. I highly recommend studying her suggestions. She’s an encyclopedia of information on writing sites!
What skill sets have you developed in writing? Does finishing a blog post just flow for you or do you agonize over each paragraph? Are there any books or refresher courses that you’d recommend in this vein? Please share your tips in the comment section below. I’m anxious to hear your strategy.
Always Learning,
Dar
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Oh, Darlene,
Where to begin!?
There are so many treasures in your post today — and I almost clicked past (because I never like to feel guilty about how little I like to write and how much better I could be!)
First, I have to share my own joy in reading old family journals — one in particular sends chills up my spine every time I see it:
For April 12, 1861 ~ “Baked 23 pies, 12 berry, 6 apple, 5 mince. Fort Sumpter fired upon today. Fear the worst.”
Next my own love for the Elements of Style. My favorite version now is the absolutely fetching Maira Kalman illustrated version.
Do you think that “Pilgrim” is the name she has given her friend as a truth-seeker — perhaps from “Pilgrim’s Progress”?
And finally — my thanks to you for spending time in good company! I think I might even “write about writing” one day soon — with lots of linking love to you!
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Linda,
Never feel guilty about expressing yourself. You are a beautiful writer and I enjoy connecting with you.
The Fort Sumpter journal entry gave me chills, too.
According to family history, Pilgrim’s mother was reading “Pilgrim’s Progress” while she was pregnant with her first son, hence, his given name. Quite different, isn’t it!
Will be looking for your post on writing:)
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Hi Darlene,
How wonderful discoveries to find your great-grandmother’s letter, and as you noted, in the art of writing.
When I first renewed my passion in writing, I found the book “Writing Down The Bones” by Natalie Goldberg to be very helpful. She teaches how to get your thoughts, soul, scribbles, etc. out on paper. Free form, instead of analyzing every paragraph or every word. I haven’t used it for awhile, but I loved the exercises.
While I write daily, it’s usually in the form of articles or business writing. Sometimes, blog posts are super easy to write, and other times, it doesn’t flow.
For me, fiction writing is harder – a different mindset and to be cathartic or engaging, I need to tap into my emotions. My writing mentors, authors Faith V. Smith and Lynda Lukow would constantly say to ‘dig deep’. It’s usually the digging deep part that stops my writing rather than word choice or writing persistence.
I’d love to connect with you about writing. I have many resources and some very helpful websites. I just joined a new site for writers called Extreme Writing Now (they also have a FB fan page, and I’ll send you a page suggestion on FB).
Some people write while music’s playing. Depending on the purpose of your writing, you have to be cautious of the ‘feel’ of the music influencing your words. Sometimes, I kick-start my work by writing in formats that naturally come easier or by dipping into other creative areas, like drawing, art, crafts, decorating, etc. Starting in another art area takes the pressure off writing and opens my creativity. Then my writing flows – being in the zone is an amazing feeling.
I’ve almost written a book as a comment, so I’ll end here. Good luck with your writing. Hope to connect with you later.
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Akers´s last [type] ..Does Cheap Radio Advertising Really Exist
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Jennifer,
Thank you for all the excellent resources you’ve offered. I will definitely connect with you about writing. How exciting!
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Cousin, are these letters from Minni to Pilgrem? I would love to have copies of them if you have time to copy them.
I love your writing. It always give me food for thought.
July 22nd, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Hi Cousin,
These are the love letters from Minnie to Pilgrim. Didn’t I give you some of them? If not, shame on me. I’ll make sure you get some original ones. Love you!
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Hi Darlene
How wonderful to find your great grandmothers letters. That is really special.
You have some excellent points here. Sometimes I wonder if we are totally losing the art of writing with text messages, twitter etc.
I was watching one of Jonathan Budd’S videos today and he was talking about Bad Ass marketing – I got in his context that it was good but I was not sure
I love you idea of taking a word you are over using and replacing it with a more powerful substitute. I am going to do that too.
You have some very good tips here.
Thanks
Sue
Sue Price´s last [type] ..A Head for Business
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:14 am
Sue,
Guess it is up to us to make sure the art of writing is not lost. Thanks for joining me in removing an overused word from your vocabulary. Let me know what words you delete.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:53 am
Hi Darlene,
Fantastic… it’s wonderful to see those letters you’ve had stored and it must have been great to read through some of them.
We’ve got into a much more digital age these days and people don’t communicate as much as they did back then even through we’ve got the ability to reach people all over the world.
I love writing although I study copywriting mostly as it helps my sales letters/ autoresponders etc.
Thanks for the resources also,
Gavin Mountford
Gavin Mountford´s last [type] ..Twittertastic Laundry List For Network Marketers
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:12 am
Gavin,
In this digital age do you ever wonder how posterity will see us? What will we leave for them? It is a question I often ask myself.
Studying copywriting is important. Thanks for the reminder to get back to it.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:29 am
Hi Darlene,
Very interesting and thought provoking post. In today’s world of “text” messages and Twitter, our form of written has a whole new look and feel. Nice to be reminded of what writing really is about!
Mike
Mike Sweeney´s last [type] ..Profitable Home Based Businesses 7 Essential Components
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:22 am
Darlene I love this post! It’s letters from 1880, of course I’d love it, being the genealogist that I am! Even better is the content! I might be a genealogist, but writing is not a natural skill for me!! You’re a natural writer, yet you can still see areas of needed improvement! I’ll follow your example and focus and improve! Thank you!
~Linda
Linda G. Cox´s last [type] ..Define Our New Reality
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Darlene,
What a great treasure to find so unexpectedly. I bet reading through them was pure joy.
I reflected back to my mother in your post. She did a little of letter writing too. Penmanship was perfect, spelling, grammar, everything you mentioned. In today’s society writing is truly becoming a lost art. this was a great reminder to think about the things we write in our posts.
Thanks!
Don Enck´s last [type] ..Are You Participating in an Online Tribal Community
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Darlene,
I’m old fashioned in many ways, so I totally can relate to the style, grace and SEXINESS of writing the old-school way! I keep trying to share the beauty and elegance of writing with my daughter, yet it hasn’t quite gotten through yet.
Thanks so much for the validation,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck´s last [type] ..Love Is Not Enough!
July 24th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Darlene
I can’t remember the last time I wrote a real letter. I often wonder what will be acceptable as spelling in the years to come with all the texting. Student writing is getting littered with it in formal writing and they are not noticing. When I first left home I used to write a letter home each week. My mother used to return the letters highlighting all my spelling mistakes!!!
Belinda
belinda cunningham´s last [type] ..Why and how to get started on line with a blog
July 25th, 2010 at 5:39 am
Hi Darlene….how wonderful to find your great grandmother’s letters! The handwriting is truly beautiful and I love how you were able to paint a picture of her, just from her letter writing skills. Sadly the art of writing is all but lost these days. But, as you say, it’s never too late to learn new writing skills and this is definitely an area I need to pay attention to….Your writing style is beautiful and a joy to read, so I think you were paying attention in those english classes.
Louise
Louise Steiner´s last [type] ..Step Outside The Box – Grow Your Comfort Zone and Feel Empowered
July 29th, 2010 at 5:31 am
What a cool find! It is a shame how the art has been lost over the year.
I is so impressive how computer fonts that we use are how people used to write. Amazing post, thank you for sharing.
Have a wonderful day!
Joe
Joe Malinowski´s last [type] ..The Jonny Carson Method
July 30th, 2010 at 6:16 am
After my mom passed away I found her journal and it was an eye opener for me.My parents were divorced for over 32 years.My mom never remarried and seemed to loathe my dad for good reasons.After reading her journal,I saw where she really still loved him.It was so awesome to see these sweet words.I hope my children like my writings after I am gone too.
Beverly Monical´s last [type] ..Four Powerful Strategies for Becoming The “Go To” Person In Your Business
July 30th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Hi Darlene,
What a wonderful and thought provoking post. As I read it I was reminded of the musty smell of my parents attic as I used to rummage around going through old books and photos. How I would have loved to have found some really special items such as your letters!
Funny as it may seem, I suspect it’s actually the lack of requirements around structure and the like that make me enjoy writing more now that I’ve ever done. It’s the greatest pleasure I get from having a blog, meeting lovely people aside.
I can’t remember the last time I put pen to paper other than writing a shopping list.. On the bright side, at least people are spared my terrible hand writing!
Thanks again for your post.
Andrew
Andrew Sayers´s last [type] ..More time- more money- more life We all want that right
July 30th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Darlene, I really love your writing style in this post. It reflects what you are talking about.
It’s like watching “Sherlock Holmes” in the midst of every other ‘modern’ movie.
Steven Winata´s last [type] ..Traffic Geyser Trial Re-opened
July 30th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Darlene, I am one of those that agonizes over each paragraph. I only wish writing came easy. I’m with you, I wish I would have payed more attention to my writing skills in college. I guess it’s not too late to hone my writing skills. Thanks for the great post! Joseph McDevitt
Joseph McDevitt´s last [type] ..How To Use Google Reader To Read RSS Feeds
July 30th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Such an awesome post, Darlene! You gave me some things to think about in my own posts such as overuse of words and appropriate vocabulary. Those are definitely things I could work on. Thanks for sharing these great tips on how to become a word meister.
Debbie Stevens´s last [type] ..Diamond in the Rough
July 30th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Hi Darlene,
I just LOVE this post! What a treasure you found and yes, I agree, writing is certainly a lost art. I remember how it felt when I came across some recipes from my grandmother but sadly, no such treasure trove of letters such as yours. How very precious!
I’ve often dreamed of being a fabulous, inspiring writer…perhaps one day. In the meantime, congratulations on your find and thank you so much for this post!
Linnea´s last [type] ..Does “Tribing” Pay
July 30th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Hi Darlene,
I love the fotos of the old letter and envelope. Yes it was and art form. Handwriting was a very individual expression and people even used it to ‘read’ the writer.
Now we just have different fonts and formatting to express that.
One good thing with the computer, the theosaurus is right there. Even translations (however accurate).
I just recently learned that I can speak my writing onto the screen, with a program that I didn’t know my computer had.
I like your article and tips very much.
Thank you.
Yorinda
Yorinda´s last [type] ..Joy is the Goal
July 30th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Hi Dar,
As I read your post I could see you uncovering your momentous find and sitting down to ever so carefully explore each page of time. Certainly a memorable day for you.
I don’t really have an intriguing story behind my writing, I think it has simply evolved along with me as I have (and I’d say has still some ground to cover
The reading fine books has definitely assisted.
Thank you for sharing this memorable discovery with us Dar.
In Health and Harmony
Toni
Toni King´s last [type] ..How To Manifest Your Dreams And Goals Using EFT
April 8th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Hello Darlene
The Lost Art of Writing, is a post that I needed to read. My challenge is writing blog post, the words do not flow. After reading this post I have put my copy of “The Element of Style” on my computer desk and plan to follow what you suggest. Another book that I use is “Harbrace College Handbook”.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City USA
Perry A Davis Jr´s last [type] ..What is the real reason people quit network marketing