October 17, 2010
“A blank canvas can be intimidating,” – a painting student once told me. The blank sheet of stationary (with or without an imprint) can be just as scary. However, in my opinion, nothing displays our written words better than a clean sheet of stationery. I get scared too, so let me share with you some of Carol’s tips…
- Make an outline of the points you want to cover in your letter. Jot phrases or sentences.
- Better yet, write a draft for clarity and greater confidence for the final letter.
- Next check your spelling.
- For help with keeping your script horizontal, place a pad of lined paper behind your stationery so you can see the lines on the sheet below or have them as guidelines at both edges of your letter.
- Be confident about your pen. Be sure it is the one you want to write this letter with, and it is well inked.
- The lighting is good.
- The chair is comfortable. Your posture is good.
- Attempt to minimize distractions.
- Create an atmosphere with your favorite music.
- Stretch , breathe, write!
If I still need inspiration for an occasion, I’ll buy a greeting card. There are sooooo many to choose from. Greeting cards are a multi-billion dollar business. Some come with a printed sentiment and some are blank inside. Don’t let the printed words rob you of the opportunity to express yourself. Be sure the card has enough blank space for you to write at least 3 sentences! At least! “I’ve ruined so many cards,” a friend bemoaned. To avoid that situation, organize your thoughts ahead on scrape paper. Personalize you note. Write something. People save a greeting card, especially if you wrote on it. It is your written words people want to see!
If you are are at a loss for words, look for something- a phrase or a word within the printed text to inspire you. Perhaps a “thinking of you” could easily lead into a thought about a good time you shared together. Or,” if you where here”…what fun things would you do together. Dream! Allow the card to become an opportunity to share a pleasant memory or create one. Have fun!
My favorite greeting cards are blank inside. They are like a “folded note with stretch room.” Slightly larger than a note card, they give me space to expand on a thought or two. Just one tip for these cards, be sure the surface is “pen friendly'” especially the back which might have a heavier coat of sizing. This might make the ink smudge or crawl. Check how your pen agrees with the surface in a corner on the back of the card.
Greeting card illustration used with permission from Daniella Woolf www.daniellawoolf.com