In an age of electronic everything and instant access to information, I, more than anything in the world, LOVE getting handwritten letters in the mail. There is just an added level of intimacy when someone takes the time to write something in their own handwriting. When something is handwritten, I feel like you can trust the words on the paper more than you can if something is typed in an email or online message. When you type something, it is easy to go back and delete your original thoughts, make them more kosher or PC and then send the new, updated message as your “original thoughts.” Not so, when it comes to handwritten letters. Every misspelled word, uncrossed “T” and original thought is there to stay.
That is unless you are me. I have become so fastidious (see. Paranoid) about my thoughts coming out in a manner that is copasetic to all, that when it comes to handwriting a letter, I cheat. I will first type my letter up in a word processor and pine, moan and sweat over every single word, sentence and paragraph. Then, when I feel like my words cannot be written any better, I pull out a stationary pad and transcribe my meticulously constructed letter by hand, pawning it off as an off-the-cuff first draft. I love sending handwritten letters and thus, I do this all the time. Is everyone I’ve ever sent a handwritten letter to getting duped? This keeps me up at night.
This is part of a series of posts designed to help me figure out who I really am. Got some insight? Leave a comment.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmm… interesting. You know, I look at this a different way. I think you care enough about the people you are writing to take the time to make sure that it is as perfect as possible and then take the extra step to transcribe it in writing. It’s better for the environment, as you are not wasting too much paper for rough drafts. Think about how much extra paper per letter that is; especially when you have to skip lines to allow room for corrections and add-ins. You have harnessed the best of both worlds. Kudos!! :D
I think it depends on your motive. If you are simply being careful and thoughtful, then well done. If you need to be careful for the sake of manipulating someone or for the sake of causing him/her to think of you as someone you aren’t, then it is unethical. You will have to decide…