Sometimes I handwrite, but most of my letters are typed.  I type a letter a lot faster than handwriting one.  But like someone else mentioned here, when I type a letter, I include pictures that go along with what I have typed.

catstevens41:

They just found a letter written by Abraham Lincoln the other day and it just seems so much more personal to see his hand-writing.  It would never have had the same effect on me if it had been written with a typewriter - (which was an option at that time for you youngsters).  

Lincoln had the typewriter as an option?  Which one?

 

(Don't think the typewriter was commercially available until after Lincoln's death....)

Betc--you apparently got the smart half of the brain too....   LOL!!!

Did you really KNOW this, or did you look it up?

Your posts always make me smile...Thanks!

I thought they did because telegrams could be sent.

I'm like you...if I wrote by hand, not only would my letters be shorter, they'd be unreadable!  LOL  I write my letters on the computer and save them by SGT Jones #1, SGT Jones #2, etc.  That way, when I write back, I remember what I've told him previously.  It sure helps me to keep them (and myself!) straight!  I've been known to copy a first-time letter but personalize it for another soldier.  It's really a way to let them know about who I am and why I write to total strangers, and to give them a starting point if they want to write back.  If I might also suggest, they LOVE to get pictures!

Hey... when did you put in 'third rock from the sun"?

Hmmm.. I must be weird, as I do both! I have a standard form letter on the computer that goes with a first package. But then with EVERY package, the kids [or I] hand write a letter to go with it. There is only one person that I type my letters to, but he is a captain. All the letters I receive from him are typed. So I just happened to type his letters in return. Just one of those things, I guess! But all others are hand written.

Hi Phillis,  Sorry I missed your question
I’m not sure if I’m right that’s why I said I “don’t think...”  
Could be mistaken…maybe someone else will check and tell us both


Hi Cats, after here.

For me, I write my all my letters on the computer. I have the worst handwriting ever. I have sent out three first letters to different contacts. And I just finished writing my second letter to the first marine who has written back. The marine that wrote back did not seem to mind the letter being computer written.

I write all my letters by hand. Literally hundreds in the past 3 years, but that's just how I like to do it. I've gotten back more handwritten than typed ones from my soldiers...I love hearing from them either way, but the handwritten ones just seem special. I guess I get a better idea of their personality from their penmanship (officers tend to be neater!) I doubt that our contacts care if they are handwritten or typed--the fact that it's from home and from someone who appreciates them is what counts!

Jeri,

I too type my letters as I have arthritis and handwriting can be difficult, especially as I tend to write long letters.  I've asked in one of my letters if the soldier would mind about the letters being typed instead of handwritten, but as I haven't received a reply, I guess it doesn't matter.  In my letters, there is some basic info about who is writing the them that will be in almost any letter that I send.  But other than that, I try to make sure that each letter is different than another soldier's letter so that NO two letters are exactly alike.  I don't want a soldier to feel like he is just getting one of many chain letters.  I want them to know that I care about them each individually as persons.  There is always things going on that you can write about in each letter that you don't include in letters to others.  It might be an out of the blue letter to a stranger, but the point is to give them something to take their minds off of things around them.  Again, if something gives them a smile, a laugh, or that little few minutes mental vacation, then its all good.  I'm blessed.

I don't know about "polishing an introduction" as I tend to write about whatever is going on at the moment or weird news, the info about us here is usually the same and so its not anything to "polish".  Its just facts.

Sister Barbara

 

I always type my letters on the computer for various health reasons and also so that I can save a copy of the letters and use the introduction used for the first letter each time and the name, address, and email address that I put at the end.  Also, when I write the succeeding letters, I have the contact's name and address already on the computer, and can just copy/paste it to them without careful checking.  I always put the contact's name exactly as it will appear on the package/as it is given on AS at the head of the letter as a "backup" address inside the package.  At the beginning, I always addressed an additional address sticker and put inside, but decided I didn't want to waste that many stickers, so just use the letter as the address for both the contact and us.  I even go one step further.  I use the same address, copy/paste it at the very bottom of the letter, cut off the bottom of the letter with the name/address on it and using a glue stick, stick it to the address label.  That way, I only have to check the name and address for correctness one time for all of those steps, and the customs forms.  Normally, I would have 3 steps that I would have to write the name/address.  That's the way it works best for this old tired brain with so many distractions.

Gran

Thank you so much for starting the thread!  I type my "opener" for a few reasons, not the least of which is the shear poor quality of my handwriting... but I'm also mildly dislexic, so when I get on a roll, and my thoughts are moving more quickly than my fingers, I end up with a huge mess.  I include a disclaimer of sorts in the letter, apologizing for typing and reiterating that my thoughts are truly personal and direct from the heart.  I do hand-write a short closing at the bottom of the 2nd page, and I also include at least one 4x6 photo with my handwriting on the back.  I felt uncomfortable with whole thing not being personal enough, but I feel much better now that I know I'm not the only one who leans on my keyboard!  THANKS!

I include a card/letter in the package and also send a combination card and letter addressed directly to the soldier letting him know there is a package on the way.  I also include a photo or two in both.  A friend of mine is an amateur photographer,  sends me photos frequently of scenes out west and has given me permission to copy and use his photos.  He has one really cool one of a herd of bison.  Just LOOKS  like 'give me a home where the buffalo roam'.  I also use pictures I've taken myself.

I've been writing all my letters by hand -- my typing skills aren't the best.  The letters I've gotten back have all been handwritten also.  Some of the penmanship is a lot better than mine!!  I've only been doing this a few months so maybe I'll run out of steam and resort to computer letters, who knows.  I do keep copies of letters tho just so I don't write the same thing over and over to the same soldier  and bore them silly.

I do appreciate the ideas on this thread.  It's been a big help.

ann

 

   I always write my letters by hand, mainly because I like receiving hand written letters.There is just something about seeing someones handwriting that makes it just a bit more personal.Would I be unhappy receiving a typed letter?No.

    Granted, I don't have as many contacts as many of you do so that makes it a little easier.As long as you have pen and paper with you, you can always write a letter. The goal is to let these soldiers know that we are thinking of them and trying to help them make it through another day without their families and friends and the life the are acustomed to, so, however the message gets there is not near as important that it just gets there.IMO