This article deals with writing a love letter on paper. Yes, many of us have forgotten what it’s like to write an old fashioned, love letter in our own hand. Letters written on romantic paper and sealed with a kiss and audaciously mailed to someone you love will be remembered for ever. SMSs and emails are forgotten in a flash. Chances are you’ll be forgotten in a flash if you resort to electronic flirting. Here are some tips to help you play the love game.

The Body

Hold him, don’t bore him. Many of us are tempted to go about ourselves when we write, disregarding the reader and losing him in the process. We also feel the longer a letter is, the more impressive it is. Not so.

Your letter should have no more than two paragraphs dedicated to each point you want to make. Never repeat something you’ve already said and never waffle or pad. Today’s readers are busy, impatient beasts, even when they love us. Take too long to come to the point and he may move from reading mode to scanning, which would ruin everything.

If your letter is the first contact, recall where you met him and dwell on the impression he gave you, and how you feel about him now – don’t use the word ‘love’, however, or he’ll jump.

The Close

Leave him with love. The whole point of writing a love letter is to make sure your lover gets your message loud and clear; you like him. A lot. And there’s no better place to state or reiterate this than at the end.

When he reaches the final page, his eye will see your signature at the bottom. He knows the adventure of riding on your romantic outpourings is about to end. What does he want? To be reassured – and after what may have been some fun teasing and flirtatiousness from you, to read an unequivocal declaration of your affection. And what do you want. To leave him with his heart glowing, his mind spinning – and his hand reaching for pen and paper to write a reply. Here’s how to achieve both your goals.

For the end of your letter, summon all your creative resources to say something that will shake him, make him smile or make him weep. Writing is a form of telepathy. You write something today, about how you feel in this exact moment and what you’ve done today, and you post it. A few days later, he’s reading the letter, experiencing a different time and place, but bonded to your moment. There’s a magic in that.

There are as many ways to end love letters as there are lovers, but one of the best is ‘Love always’. Otherwise opt for something that reflects the mood of your letter – ‘Truly sorry’, ‘Missing you impatiently’ or ‘Hungrily awaiting Saturday night.’

Most importantly, your letter should sound thrilling to you when you read it through. If you’re honest with yourself and how you feel about your lover, it will shine through in your writing.

Writing Tips

Underlining words in letters is like using italics or bold text in electronic correspondence.

Using capitals emphasizes words but should be done with discretion.

Check your spelling with a dictionary.

Be sure your writing is legible.

Quote poetry or lines from favorite books and songs if you think they say things better than you could, but never pass them on as your own. Nothing can top attempting poetic lines of your own.

By Sandra Prior