Letters to My Daughter, Letters to My Friends

I’ve been reading a beautiful book called Very Good Copy by Eddie Shleyner. It has reminded me how much I’ve always loved writing.

At one point, I even considered a career as a journalist. However, after shadowing my English teacher’s brother, who worked at a national newspaper, I realised the industry wasn’t for me, although it deepened my respect for journalists.

Although I chose a different career path, it has been wonderful to rediscover my love for writing.

In Eddie’s book, one of his micro-lessons is about the writer Charles Bukowski. His novels are uniquely simple, and yet remarkably vivid. I was particularly inspired by his collection of personal letters in Reach for the Sun. Like this one to his daughter:

It’s inspired me to start writing letters again.

When I was young, even though I saw my Nan and Grandad often and spent stretches at their house, they would still write to me. I still have their letters. My mum used to write to me when I was away on school trips. Those letters meant something then. They mean even more now.

Each week or so, I’m writing a handwritten letter to my daughter. At the top right-hand corner, I mark her age in years and weeks. I try to keep it to just one short side of a sheet of Basildon Bond paper (beautiful paper I picked up from the independent art shop in Clacton-On-Sea).

If she keeps them, they’ll become a little time capsule of who she was and what was happening in the world at every stage of her growing up.

I’m also going to write letters to friends. It’s easy to let life pass by without telling people how much we love them. Unfortunately, someone might pass away before we have the chance one day.

Whilst the main aim of the letters is to be thoughtful, it’s also about becoming better at writing. Letters make you present. Intentional. That’s a good practice for life.

Wishing you a great week.

Thank you for reading. Great blessings, and take care.

Benjamin