Frequently Asked Questions: Love, the More Love Letters Team
We get some really good questions on a daily basis from the More Love Letters Community on just about everything, from scripting the perfect love letter to stationery choices. We figured, who better fit to answer all these awesome questions than the experts themselves? Our team!
Dig into the great responses we have below and get to know the hearts of our team writers better. Feel free to send any further questions to PS@moreloveletters.com. We’ll be happy to answer.
Happy Scripting!
1) How do you recommend starting a love letter?
A good method to fall back on is explaining who you are and your purpose. Once you write down your purpose, the creative juices will be ‘a floatin’ and you’ll be on your way! For a more creative start, leave some space up top and go ahead and write the letter and save the first sentence and greeting for the end!
-Paige
In all honesty, I always start my letters with the persons name in big, vibrant, colorful, fun letters. While writing the name I think about the situation and all of a sudden, the words flow off the pen.
- Bailey
2) I don’t know where to even begin… any pointers?
My favorite technique is to get a blank page of stationary, or any paper that you chose, and start writing words that pop out to you in your mind. Put them in different fonts and sizes, scattered throughout the page. Then grab a different colored pen or pencil and bring them together with love and uplifting sentences. Its a fun way to bring ideas out!
- Paige
When I started writing love letters, the best advice I was given was to write the words you would want to find. What are the things you’d like to hear if you were in a certain situation? Those tend to touch someone else’s heart the best.
- Sara
Write from your heart. Write like you’re are talking to a friend
- Heather
3) What is your favorite kind of situation to address?
I really enjoy addressing student problems, personality/self-esteem issues, and relationships. Being a Resident Advisor at my university really helped me with learning how to address very personal issues with strangers (at any time of the day or night!) I have also been through the ringer when it comes to medical problems, so I feel just as comfortable dealing with those.
- Jen
I think writing to people with depression is my favorite…I have dealt with depression and I know you can look at it in one of two ways: it ruins your life or it gives you new life. I learned so much from it and sometimes someone just needs you to point out the silver lining.
- Pamela
When an individual is losing hope, motivation and ambition.
- Paige
People who feel like they have nowhere else to turn, and really just need a simple pick-me-up to put their head on right again.
-Danielle
I’ve been through a lot in the past year. I completed a very tough first year of graduate school, went through a horrible horrible breakup, traveled abroad, fell in love. It was a whirlwind. I like to tackle situations with those who aren’t sure which way is up or need to know that things will be okay. Because as hard as life can be, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can’t always see it.
- Marie
Call me the “new beginnings” master or the “the best is yet to come” queen. I love addressing the situations that involve people starting over in life or embarking on new adventures.
-Bailey
4) If it is a really sad situation, how do I make sure I don’t dwell on the negative?
When a sad situation arises, I try to consider what I would do to cheer myself up if I were in that situation and suggest those things in a letter. Or, if you can’t directly relate, try to incorporate a quote that inspires you or the situation; that can help fuel your letter writing.
-Sara
I know it’s hard not to dwell on the negative but you have you have to remember that you are writing to help someone, to lift someone up; let the good inspire you.
-Heather
5) Do you recommend a certain kind of stationery?
I tend to buy scrapbook bundles from craft stores. I like to sit down with my bundles and pick out different paper designs that remind me of that person’s story or personality. Variety is wonderfully fun! Luckily, we have a Stationary Scout with MoreLoveLetters, and she does awesome posts on the blog with fun stationery ideas.
-Jen
6) How do I end my love letter?
Wish them the best! Tell them they’re incredible. Tell them it is okay to have days where all they really accomplished was breathing! Or even days where they took on the whole world and felt utterly exhausted by the end! That they are doing everything right. Let them know you are thinking and wondering about them… it’s kind of cool and humbling to be thought of especially by a stranger. I like to draw a heart and write my first name.
-Pamela
I like to include favorite quotes, poems, or a good spurt of encouragement at the end that lets the reader know that I will keep them in my thoughts as they go forward in their journey. I sign each letter “With love and love letters, J.”
-Jen
7) Is there a specific length?
A letter can be as long or as short as you want! My advice: write until you feel like you’re finished. Don’t force more words just to reach the end of your page– if it feels complete, it most likely is.
-Sara
Why is there no men commenting here?
Seems like there is mostly(90% or more???) women who writes or are engaging in love letter writing…
But If someone could give me advice to write a love letter to a girl in class I am in love with but isnt interested in me?- I would be SO thankful
And advice about writing to strangers, I like this love letter Idea
I noticed the lack of men as well, Sindre. Maybe we just have more trouble with adverbs.. or admitting we’re bigger softies than we want others to know. I work in a big box store and love watching the dads and children go by and how much “in adore” so many of the fathers are. It gives me hope and smiles. In their eye contact, the troubles of the world slip away and all is good for that moment.
Hello!
I’d like to start writing letters in my city— To get started, can I just write notes and leave them around for others to find? Do I sign with: letter writer with moreloveletters.com ??
Would you pls. clarify the process?
Looking forward to getting started.
Thanks!
I second this–is there a particular format that we can follow, in terms of how to distribute the letters? Do we send them to you, to mail out to requests? Or just leave them around the city? Or just do whatever we feel like?
my husband and I often wrote little notes like “I love you” or “thanks for being you” or “you make me smile” and leave them where they might be found a day or a month later. My husband died in May of 2010. This winter it has been extra cold and I put on a jacket I haven’t worn in a long time. One morning as I was in a hurry and not looking forward to the trip out to the barn to break ice on the water sources, I put my hand in the pocket to get gloves and came up with a little yellow scrap paper note that had the words “I love you!!” in my husbands handwriting. Notes for “strangers” are just as serendipitous, I’ve found. Often people say they got something they really needed to hear out of the blue. I believe you get what you need when you need it. Just leave a note a day for 30 days–it need not be long–and know it will go to someone who needs it. Some people I’ve left notes hidden for (people I do know) tell me they stash the note again so they’ll find it again. I leave notes for strangers in library books, magazines at the Doctors office, waiting areas of all sorts including DMV. It cheers me up. I leave “treat yourself to a bubble bath today” “remember that smell puppies have? Pet a dog today” “you are worth it” “consider yourself hugged today” “even when love is gone, you will always have wonderful memories that can never be taken away”–stuff like that, anything but “have a nice day”
I too would like to leave letters for students in the school that work at. I have started writing little things but I don’t want to seem like a creeper. Is there anything that I can do to avoid looking like that.
To Sindre: You’re not the only male here who’s rocking some love letters! This site has to be one of the best ever.
This is exactly what the world needs and I’m happy to be a part of it. Incidentally, I teach math–and with all the screaming the kids probably think I do, it seems paradoxical to be writing love letters! But I have found such hope through this site. Its mission inspires me–and I hope more men (and women!)–to step up to the plate, lunge for the stationery, and start spreading some love.
–Mike
You all are great souls who are not thinking in dollars ..really really nice. I liked it so much that i am giving away my primary mail id which i normally wouldn’t. Got to know about it through TED talks, got a curiosity to know more about it. Keep up the good work, 1 thing if i may say here if you can please give a short “HowTos” for people willing to do the same, generally I have a passion to read, write and talk (excessive as they say) but today even I could not read this matter entirely !! Honestly I dont know why ? Whether its too much of it or I am impatient just because of this noble thought that I just go grab a pen and write to people i dont even know.
I love moreloveletters.com! I saw Hannah on the Jeff Probst show today and have spent the last few hours reading, rereading and watching video’s of her, the staff and this amazing project. And YES I am a MAN!! 50 years old too!! At first I was shy about getting into this project as it seemed to be more for college students, but the more I read the more I realized that we all need love letters. We all have words to share, a story to tell and a heart that is full!! I can’t wait. I have already written three letters and want to get envolved in not only writing letters to leave around town, but also to write to submit to the office to send to those in need.
I think too David that we came from a generation that actually did handwritten love letters–ours weren’t typed or texted.
Great idea. I love the premise of sharing your love, your heart and a little of your time!
Well done!
David,
I read your response and just HAD to respond; I too heard about this wonderful love letter writing campaign from watching the Jeff Probst show. The crazy part is that I had never watched this program before, as a matter of fact, I had NEVER even heard of Jeff Probst. I got online immediately after watching the show; also watching Hannah speak on the Ted Talks website. I was so impressed and inspired by her and her complete kindness towards strangers!
When I was a young teen I had over 150 pen pals and thoroughly enjoyed creating and decorating hand-written letters! I REALLY missed that! This was back when there was no email, texting, or Skype. Snail Mail was it! Although I still write letters and cards to my friends, I am hungry to make more! SO MUCH MORE!! The SECOND I finished watching Hannah’s story/message, I IMMEDIATELY starting writing. I had 3 letters written within the hour. The most recent email I got from:
Moreloveletters.com
had some requests for letters; I am currently writing those now. I will also continue writing letters and leaving them at random places. This letter writing campaign has started pulling me out of my long depression! I am SO MOTIVATED now to reach out to folks who would probably appreciate an unexpected letter of
Love and encouragement.
I was so glad to hear that guys were also wanting to get involved. Thank you DAVE and also to every gentleman out there getting involved. Ladies, I also appreciate each and every one of participating in this wonderful and heartfelt idea/concept!
All My Love & Support,
Jennifer (Jen)
Hey Guys!
I am really excited to begin leaving love letters for people everywhere, but will oftentimes find myself not being able to get one written out. I’ll get so far in a letter, like halfway or so, and then think: “This is stupid. Someone’s going to pick up this letter, have a huge WTF? moment, and parade it around to all of their friends proclaiming the author’s stupidity.” I’m afraid that I’m going to be around to hear it.
I know that it’s a very illogical fear. It dosnt stop me from feeling it. But it does keep me from writing letters, and this saddens me. There are a megaton of unsavoury folks around where I live, and yet I know that the are many who would benefit from a little love letter. I desperately want to make people smile.
I dunno why I’m putting this up here. I guess that I’m looking for some words of encouragement? Maybe some advice? Yeah. Thanks for reading though!
Hey Rosie,
I feel exactly how you described all the time! You’re not alone. I just basically wrote to tell the stranger that everything will be okay, and included a quote along with the websites link. I think in the future I will probably just start making simple, short quotes or saying notes with bright decorations. I feel an encouraging one sentence quote or positive note can do nearly as much good as a long personal note, without being too overbearing. Maybe keeping it short and sweet will help you feel more comfortable also! Good luck.
My answer to your worry would be – does it really matter? Like I mentioned elsewhere, if you write 100 letters, Maybe 99% of them might end up in the trash for one reason or another. Does this mean that it’s not worthwhile? No! Because the last one letter made someone’s day brighter. By your effort, you’ve improved the world. Anyone who derides your effort is achieving nothing; and for each detractor there are many who would applaud your actions.
Focus on the positive outcomes, and remember that after it’s all finished, the world is a better place because of you. (Though it took me many years before I came to this epiphany in life…)
I just sent off letters 4, 5, and 6 to be bundled for March. At first, when I read some of the descriptions in the letter requests, I sometimes think, “What can I say to someone who has suffered such a loss?” But the ink just starts flowing as I think of a similar loss or disappointment I have suffered. I think people get the mistaken idea that only their lives are full of adversity, that other’s lives are somehow perfect (Facebook is the culprit!). Another incentive to write is the nice fountain pen I inherited from my recently deceased mother. I just can’t stop writing letters with it, even if the recipients just email me back. Maybe that’s what I like about More Love Letters, there is no expectation of getting any letter in return. Oh, I am in my fifties too. Maybe we guys get sentimental in our old age.