Recently I cleaned out my desk (in preparation for moving to my first own study, but that’s a whole other topic!) and discovered letters my husband wrote me when we were dating. Lots of letters, with lots of pages, because (and I am revealing my age here, I know) this was before texting, emailing, or any online communication or presence at all.
Rereading my husband’s letters reminded me of how I used to
write letters too. Not just to my husband, but to friends during summer breaks
from college, my parents when I was in school, and friends I made when I
traveled through Europe. So many letters, but back then there simply wasn’t any
other way of keeping in touch.
I lamented to my emailing and texting children that we have
lost the ability to write letters, and how sad I think that is, and got the
expected eye-roll in response. But upon reflection, we’ve been losing the art
of letter writing for centuries. Read a letter written a generation or two ago,
and they are far more eloquent than the bits of news and trivia I wrote in my
letters!
My historical romance, Far
Horizons, is based on letters my ancestors wrote in the early 1800s, which
have been passed down through my family. My great-great-great Uncle Allan
emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1819, and wrote to his fiancée Harriet for
seven years before he was able to return for her. The language and emotion
expressed in these letters is, I think, both heart-wrenching and lovely. This
is from Allan to Harriet:
How can I express the consternation of my heart, or account for the
long and cruel silence on your part? This is the fifteenth letter I have
written you since, but I am afraid they never got your length, or you would not
be so long in writing me. I know you too well to imagine you capable of any change
or caprice towards me, and I hope you know me too well to expect any change on
my side...
The imagined reason for Harriet’s silence is what inspired Far
Horizons, and I loved incorporating the letters that have been passed down
through my family into the story.
Rereading my husband’s letters to me made me resolve to write more real
(ie, on paper!) letters, although I’m afraid I’ve only managed one so far. My
hand cramps from writing now, because I’m not used to it! How sad is that?!
Letters aside, there are many benefits to the new, technological ways
we have to communicate. Having moved to England from America, I am thrilled to
use email, Skype, Facebook, and other social media to keep in touch with
family--but I think I will always miss the poignant beauty of a handwritten
letter! What about you? Is there anything you miss in this brave, new digital
age?
Kate Hewitt is the USA Today bestselling author of over 30 novels for
Harlequin, Carina Press, and Lion Fiction, as well as several titles she has
published independently. She lives in the Lake District in England with her
husband, children, and a Golden Retriever. You can find more about her and her
books at kate-hewitt.com
Far Horizons is available FREE as an ebook through all retailers:
Far Horizons is available FREE as an ebook through all retailers:
