The Art of the Handwritten Note and printable bookmark

How’s the reading going?? Margaret Shepherd’s book, The Art of the Handwritten Note, may be tiny, but we hope you’ve realized that it’s FULL of helpful tips and advice on the etiquette of handwritten notes. Has it inspired you to start writing more? Have you found some pretty pens and stationery? Personal cards and notes are always a joy to receive in the mail, but as Ovid said, “While writing, the very pleasure gives toil.” We hope this book helps YOU enjoy the writing, giving, and sending aspect of handwritten mail.

And to go along with this month’s book we have guest illustrator, Leah Goren, who created a special illustrated bookmark with a quote from the book that reads “Letters mingle souls” from John Donne. Leah is one of my favorite illustrators and I was so pleased to have her join us this month. You can download the bookmark below!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Here are a couple of questions for you to consider while you continue turning pages, along with some further reading suggestions (which actually includes a FAVORITE children’s book!). Be sure to follow along on our Insta account @larsbookclub as we finish reading The Art of the Handwritten Note! Happy reading!

1. Think about what drove you to pick up this book – a desire to connect better/more often with loved ones? More meaningful communication than your day-to-day texts and emails? To refine your handwriting? To use more pretty stationery? (Yes please!) 🙂 Whatever your reason, how have Shepherd’s points, tips, or advice inspired you to accomplish that??

2. As mentioned a bit above, what have you found to be most helpful? Shepherd’s tips about what materials express YOU best? Advice on the “Dos and Don’ts” of writing for specific occasions? Or maybe since handwriting has stopped being taught in schools…the handwriting exercises? Please share!

3. We know so much about the past (people, events, customs, etc.) from written words, saved and held dear. (And there’s usually an important reason for words to be destroyed, right? Good or bad…) There is a power associated with putting down on paper what is in our minds, as well as a kind of therapeutic affect, helping us internalize things. As Anne Morrow Lindbergh said, “In our family an experience was not finished, not truly experienced, unless written down and shared with another.” Do you agree with these thoughts? How does writing benefit you in YOUR life?