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Authentically Del

Self-Care, Mental Wellness, & Self-Improvement

in Journaling , Self-Care , Self-Improvement · November 29, 2022

50 Fun & Creative Handwritten Letter Ideas

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With the rise of technology, we seem to have lost the appreciation for the art of handwritten letters. If you are wanting to go old school, here are 50 fun, creative handwritten letter ideas to write!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to write. The written word is such a powerful form of communication and connection.

With the rise of technology, I seem to have lost my appreciation for a good old handwritten letter or note.

There are so many wonderful perks to the online world, of course. (Heck, it allows me to write this blog! Major bonus.) But, I do wish that we could find a way to maintain the art of writing letters by hand.

If we’re honest, texts are nice and convenient, but nothing will beat the specialness of a handwritten letter.

Why Write Handwritten Letters?

I believe in the power of a handwritten letter for so many different reasons. Here are a few…

• They show you really care.

Taking the time to physically sit down and handwrite a letter to a loved one shows that you really care. Not that sending off a kind text doesn’t… but it’s a whole other level of showing someone you’re thinking about them.

• It’s so fun to receive mail.

How often do you receive mail that isn’t bills, ads, or other adulting things? It’s such a wonderful surprise to receive something JOYFUL in the mail.

• They can be kept forever.

Sure, you can screenshot a nice text. But how often do you really revisit those texts?

With handwritten letters, you can physically store them all in a letter storage box or envelope to revisit sporadically.

To this day, I have letters from my childhood that I reread sometimes. They are so much more meaningful than a text or DM.

• You can have more fun with them.

Writing a letter is fun… but decorating a handwritten letter is even better! Decorate and dress up your snail mail with fun, creative add-ons, such as:

• cute cards/envelopes
• fun stickers
• colorful gel pens

Additionally, you can include fun things in your envelope that you couldn’t otherwise (ie. gift cards, bookmarks, additional notes, and little gifts) .

• They feel more meaningful.

All in all, handwritten letters just feel more meaningful. The recipient can recognize the intentionality and effort that went into it.

It really is a beautiful form of connection and communication that many of us miss out on!

50 Creative Handwritten Letter Ideas

Ready to start letter-writing? Here are 50 fun letter ideas to get you started!

Letters to Send to Family

• Write to a grandparent recalling a favorite childhood memory with them.
• Celebrate an anniversary in your family with a handwritten letter.
• Write a letter to your mom telling her all the things she did right raising you.
• Send your sibling a letter recalling a childhood memory. Include a photo.
• Write your dad a letter thanking him for something specific he did while you were growing up.
• Send a letter to a family member that lives far away.
• Write a niece or nephew a fun letter with a small gift enclosed.
• Send a meaningful birthday letter to someone in your family (rather than a generic store-bought card!).
• Write to an aunt/uncle and update them on your life. Ask them to send you an update back!
• Find an old photo of you and your cousins. Send it to them with a letter.

Letters to Send to Friends

• Send a long-distance friend an old photo of the two of you.
• Purchase a $5 Starbucks gift card and send it to the biggest coffee lover you know.
• Write a thank you letter to a friend for a past gift that you still use today.
• Surprise a friend you don’t normally send a card to with an unexpected birthday card. (It’s okay if you have to check Facebook to find their bday. 😉)
• Send a friend a list of all the reasons you love them.

READ: 121 Compliments Not About Physical Appearance

• When a friend posts about an exciting accomplishment or life event on Facebook, send them a letter congratulating them.
• Send a letter to your elementary school best friend recalling a memory.
• Send a letter to a coworker telling them how they make your work life better.
• Put some bookmarks in an envelope with a list of your favorite book recommendations and send it to a friend who loves reading.
• Write a letter to an ex-friend telling them how they touched your life. Clear the air if there is any lingering awkwardness.

Letters to Give Your Partner

• Make a list of all your favorite things about your partner. Give it to them.
• Create a coupon book to give your partner along with a love note.
• Write a letter to your partner telling them your side of the story from your first date.
• Make a memory list of your favorite moments with your partner and give it to them to reminisce together.
• Write a letter thanking your partner for a time they made you feel special.
• Put together an envelope of papers with date ideas to draw from when you need a fun idea.
• Write a letter telling your partner the story of when you knew you were in love with them.
• Explain your love language to your partner in a written letter. Tell them the ways they can make you feel loved.

READ: 50 Gift Ideas for the 5 Love Languages

• Write your partner a love poem.
• Put a special memento from your relationship into an envelope (ticket from a date, first photo, etc.). Write a letter explaining what it means to you.

Letters to Send Strangers

• Send a letter to someone in the military. (Check out this program to send a letter to a deployed soldier .)
• Drop some fun bookmarks in an envelope with a fun note and leave it at your local public library.
• Write a random note of kindness, address it “to whoever finds this” , and leave it in a public park near you.
• Leave a kind note on a random car in a parking lot.
• Buy a $5-10 gift card to a store and leave it on a random aisle in the store with a note for someone to find!
• Write a note of encouragement and pin it to a bulletin board in a public space (coffee shop, library, etc.).
• Put together a quick, kind letter and drop it in a random mailbox.
• Place some encouragement stickers in an envelope with a note telling someone they are doing a great job. Leave it outside a local therapist’s office. We all need to hear this sometimes!
• Write a thank you card to give to a local worker (grocery store clerk, dentist, receptionist, firefighter, etc.).
• Put an extra notecard, stamp, and envelope together with a letter encouraging them to write to someone they love. Leave this in someone’s mailbox. (You could include some of your favorite letter ideas from this list to inspire them!)

More Creative Handwritten Letter Ideas

• Write a thank you letter to a favorite teacher from your childhood. You may also want to include a life update and a current photo of you!
• Send a letter of appreciation to someone who has helped you through a hard time (even if it was years ago).
• Write to the kids you used to watch/babysit. Tell them a funny story from when they were younger.
• Write a letter to someone you feel resentful towards. (You don’t even need to send this one… This is more for your healing!)
• Choose an influencer that you feel connected to. Write them a letter telling them how they’ve touched your life. (You can usually find a P.O. box address if you search hard enough!)
• Write to a past sports coach telling them how they’ve impacted you and your life.
• Send a letter to a child in your life. Kids love getting snail mail!
• Think about a gift you received that you use often. Write a “thank you” letter to whoever gave it to you.
• Write a thank you letter to your favorite grocery store clerk or barista. Tell them how they brighten your daily errands!
• Write a letter to your future self. Store it somewhere safe and set a reminder on your phone to open it in 5-10 years.

How to Write a Great Letter

Now that you have tons of creative letter ideas, you may be wondering HOW to write the perfect letter.

Honestly, there is no such thing as a “perfect” letter.

This is the beauty of the art of handwritten letters. There is no need for perfectionism or stress. Simply writing someone a letter is special enough.

That said, if you want some guidance for letter-writing, I do have a few recommendations for getting started.

Here are 5 quick tips for a great handwritten letter:

• Address it to Someone Specific. If you are writing to a specific person, open the letter with their name. If you are writing to a stranger, address it with a clever opening (ie. if you leave the letter at the library, address it “Dear Fellow Book-Lover” ).
• Include a Term of Endearment. Now that you know to open the letter by addressing the recipient, feel free to get creative including terms of endearment. For example, “Dear Suzy” could be turned into “To the Stunning Suzy Smith” . Easy way to add that extra pizazz!
• Use a Creative Sign-Off. Instead of just signing your name, find a creative and personalized sign-off. You can even relate it to the context of the letter. For example, if you leave your letter in a coffee shop, sign off with “Happy Sipping!” .
• Add in Extras. Bookmarks, gift cards, photographs, stickers, etc. all make great add-ons to a letter.
• Use Your Own Voice. At the end of the day, the most special part of a letter is that YOU wrote it. Let your personality shine through. Make it your own.

There you have it – 50 creative letter ideas and my top tips for a great handwritten letter!

What is your favorite letter idea on this list? Which do you think you’ll write first? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Letter-Writing!

Hi! I’m Delaney (but you can call me Del)! Welcome to Authentically Del where we discuss all things self-care, productivity, self-improvement, mindset, and more. I'm here to offer authentic tips and advice in hopes that I can help make your life a bit brighter! More About Me...

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Bring Back the Art of Letters: 52 Letter Writing Prompts

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 3, 2023

Categories Writing

You’re staring at a blank page, your mind’s as empty as the paper in front of you. Don’t fret! We’ve all been there.

Whether it’s a personal note or formal correspondence, finding the right words can be tricky. That’s where this guide comes in handy.

Dive into our treasure trove of letter writing prompts and you’ll soon be stringing sentences together with ease and flair.

Let’s reclaim the lost art of letter writing together!

Key Takeaways

• Formatting is crucial for clear and well-presented messages
• Handwritten letters add a personal touch and hold charm in the digital age
• Creative prompts for personal letters can include writing about significant events or people, crafting a time capsule letter, penning an apology letter, or composing a narrative about a childhood memory
• Formal letters can be enhanced by adding creativity while maintaining formality, using engaging questions or thought-provoking statements, incorporating storytelling, and using bullet points or numbered lists for clarity and ease of reading.

52 Letter Writing Prompts

Here are 52 letter writing prompts:

• Write a letter to your future self describing where you see yourself in 5 years.
• Write a thank you letter to a teacher who made a difference in your life.
• Write a letter to your favorite fictional character explaining why you like them so much.
• Write a letter to a family member you haven’t seen in a long time updating them on your life.
• Write a letter to your pet explaining how much they mean to you.
• Write a letter to your favorite athlete congratulating them on winning a championship.
• Write a letter to a historical figure explaining why you admire them.
• Write a letter to your favorite author telling them how their book impacted you.
• Write a letter to a friend apologizing for a fight or disagreement you had.
• Write a letter to your parents thanking them for everything they’ve done for you.
• Write a letter to your younger self giving advice about life.
• Write a letter to your favorite celebrity asking them questions you’ve always wondered about.
• Write a letter to a company complimenting them on excellent customer service.
• Write a letter to your favorite restaurant complimenting the chef’s cooking.
• Write a letter to your role model explaining why they inspire you.
• Write a letter to a newspaper editor expressing your opinion on a current event.
• Write a letter to a friend describing your favorite vacation or trip.
• Write a letter to your mayor or local politician about an issue in your town.
• Write a letter to a pen pal in another country introducing yourself.
• Write a letter to Santa Claus asking for gifts this Christmas.
• Write a letter to a soldier overseas thanking them for their service.
• Write a letter to your school principal proposing ideas to improve the school.
• Write a letter to a bully expressing how their actions made you feel.
• Write a letter to a friend recommending a good book, movie or TV show.
• Write a letter to a magazine editor commenting on an article you read.
• Write a letter to a company providing feedback on a product you recently tried.
• Write a letter to your grandparents sharing a meaningful memory with them.
• Write a letter to your friend telling them how much their friendship means to you.
• Write a letter to a coach or mentor thanking them for what they taught you.
• Write a letter to a contest or sweepstakes saying why you deserve to win.
• Write a letter to your favorite band or musician asking them questions.
• Write a letter to a friend describing your idea for a new invention.
• Write a letter to a friend recounting something funny that happened to you recently.
• Write a letter to your future college roommate introducing yourself.
• Write a letter to your congressional representative about a law you support or oppose.
• Write a letter to a company praising or complaining about one of their products.
• Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper giving your view on a current issue.
• Write a letter to a character in a book, movie or TV show explaining your thoughts about them.
• Write a letter to your childhood home telling what you cherished most about it.
• Write a letter to a family member describing how you plan to celebrate a holiday.
• Write a letter to a faraway relative asking them questions about your family history.
• Write a letter to your future child telling them about your hopes and dreams for them.
• Write a letter to your pet telling them about your day.
• Write a letter to your favorite athlete congratulating them on a win or achievement.
• Write a letter to a friend recounting your favorite childhood memory together.
• Write a letter to your parents reminiscing about a fun family vacation.
• Write a letter to a company providing suggestions on how they could improve.
• Write a letter to your favorite superhero explaining what superpowers you’d want and why.
• Write a letter to your favorite movie character explaining why you think their story is inspiring.
• Write a thank you letter to someone who helped you through a difficult time.
• Write a letter to a teacher that changed your life thanking them for inspiring you.
• Write a letter to yourself encouraging you to keep working towards your goals and dreams.

Understanding the Basics of Letter Writing

Let’s dive into the basics of letter writing – it’s not as hard as you might think! You’ve got to understand two essential aspects: Letter Formatting Essentials and Penmanship Importance.

First, formatting is crucial. It provides structure to your thoughts, ensuring that your message is clear and well-presented. Start with a salutation, followed by an introductory paragraph, body text, concluding remarks, and finally a signature.

Equally important is your penmanship. While we’re living in the digital age, handwritten letters still hold charm. Your handwriting reflects your personality and adds a personal touch to the message you’re conveying. So be sure to write neatly and legibly; it’s worth taking the time for! Don’t let poor penmanship tarnish an otherwise beautiful letter.

Creative Prompts for Personal Letters

You’ll find that these creative ideas can make personal correspondence much more engaging. Drawing from epistolary inspiration, you’re able to express yourself in a way that both showcases your creativity and effectively communicates your thoughts and feelings. Emotional articulation becomes less daunting and more of an enjoyable activity.

Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Write about a significant event or person in your life using only sensory language.
• Craft a letter as if it were a time capsule, detailing current events and personal experiences.
• Pen an apology letter to yourself for something you’ve forgiven but not forgotten.
• Compose a narrative letter telling the story of your favorite memory from childhood.

Innovative Prompts for Formal Letters

Switching gears, we’re now focusing on innovative ideas for formal correspondence.

When it comes to Formal Letter Etiquettes, you need to be aware of the structure and language. Always start with a respectful greeting and end with a professional close.

But let’s talk about innovation. You can add some creativity while maintaining formality. For instance, use engaging questions or thought-provoking statements in your introduction to capture attention. Also, try incorporating storytelling where appropriate; this can make your point more compelling.

Business Communication Insights show that being concise yet thorough is appreciated in formal letters. Try using bullet points or numbered lists for clarity and ease of reading.

Tips to Enhance Your Letter Writing Skills

Improving your correspondence abilities can make a significant difference in both personal and professional relationships. With the right steps, you’ll be able to craft compelling letters that effectively convey your thoughts.

Here are some tips:

• Understand the Grammar Importance: Errors can paint an unprofessional image. So, always proofread before sending.
• Focus on Vocabulary Expansion: Using a diverse range of words makes your writing more engaging.
• Practice Regularly: Like any skill, regular practice is key to improvement.
• Use Templates: They provide structure and inspiration, helping you get started.

The Impact of Well-Written Letters

Well-crafted correspondence can have a profound impact, enhancing both personal and professional relationships. The letter influence isn’t just about conveying information; it’s about building emotional connections. A beautifully written letter can elicit strong emotions, evoke memories, or inspire actions in the reader.

You might think that in this digital age, letters are obsolete. But they’re not. They hold a power that emails and text messages simply can’t match. There’s something profoundly intimate and human about holding a piece of paper someone else has held, reading words someone else has painstakingly written by hand.

So, you’ve learned the basics of letter writing and explored creative prompts for personal letters. You’ve also discovered innovative ideas for formal ones.

With these tips to improve your skills, you’re all set to make an impact through your well-crafted letters. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Happy writing!

The Art of Letter Writing: 5 Tips for Crafting Engaging Letters

By Julie Petersen

A few tips for writing letters that fill the soul

In the modern age, writing letters has become underrated, if not completely abandoned. We prefer sending quick e-mails to our loved ones now, or even shoot them a long text because of time concerns. We might forget how much of a personal impact a unique letter can have on our families and friends. Nowadays, we focus so much on technology that we often fail to add that special, intimate touch to the relationships we value.

If that looks like you, I don’t blame you. There is no doubt: writing can be quite a challenge! Writing a letter can be even more demanding. We want to connect our thoughts and feelings to the letter that we are sending, yet we sometimes omit details that could bring us into the open and deepen our engagement. The content has to be special, and the person reading it has to sense a distinctive vibe when opening it — it’s like creating a special bond between the writer and the recipient; a bond that connects their souls, and opens up their minds.

For all of these reasons, finding the perfect balance of creativity and imagination is not an easy job.

Here are a 5 tips on how to write inspiring, creative letters:

1. be yourself.

Writing letters is easy once you get the hang of it. I must specify that we are strictly referring to informal, friendly letters. Being yourself is your best strategy if you want your letter be special. The content has to flow naturally. Letters between friends have to be simple, yet complex. Writing something like “ Dear Mona, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day. Love, Lila ” is not enough. You have to develop your thoughts, and let your ideas flow on that piece of paper and have room to expand. This takes me to point two.

2. Create the Perfect Setting

Because writing letters is such a personal process, you need your own space. Make sure you have alone time whenever you compose your letters, and take time to think about the content first. Get rid of the distractions, and imagine what a perfect letter would look like for you. Would it begin in a certain, exceptional way? What pieces of your imagination would it compile? What elements could add to its complexity? Try not to check your phone or have the TV on while you are drafting the letters. Find a particular spot in the house that is quiet and encourages you to think. Reflect on special moments you had with the recipient, and expand on that. Beginning the letter with a significant memory will give it that special vibe you want.

3. Ask About Them In a Funny Way

If you write a letter to somebody, you probably want to know more about them. So ask away! Make sure you do not expand too much on yourself. Do include everything you wish, but keep it brief since your recipient will probably not appreciate receiving letters that are too long. When you ask about them, do it in a funny, creative way. Be hilarious and relaxed. Take a look at some examples:

• Begin with an old phrase both of you used in the past. If I wrote to my friend, I would say, “Sup, loser? I miss your dumb face! What have you been up to?”
• Start with a funny saying like, “Love is in the air. Nope, that’s bacon. Anyways, I was thinking of you this morning while eating my breakfast. How is your life?”
• Or you can just be honest and say, “I am feeling very emotional today, so I thought about you. Don’t feel too good about it, OK? How are you doing, pal?”

Make sure you let them know how much you miss them, but don’t do it in a mushy way if you are not that type of person. Saying it in a funny context gives it a sense of playfulness, which I am sure will be highly appreciated by your friend.

4. Carry a Notebook With You

If you truly lack ideas,  carry a notebook  with you and write down observations. Maybe when you are having a coffee, you will think of a funny moment you had with your friend. Maybe when you chat with your colleagues you will realize how much you miss a special, deep conversation with your friend. You never know what gives your ideas during the day, so carrying a notebook is a great method to stay creative.

5. Have Lots of Fun

If you don’t write like you are having fun, there is no point in searching for creativity. Writing letters is not something that must be done, but something that you should enjoy doing. Change your mindset, and play with the words instead of searching for the right ones. If a letter does not come out as you want it to, do not freak out. All writers have good and bad moments, so you do not have to worry about it at all. Just  take a break  if you feel the need to, and do something funny – like watch a comedy on Netflix, or play with your pets if you have any. The idea is to loosen up and make yourself laugh. Then when you can get back to writing you will be much more productive, trust me!

Wrapping It Up

When you don’t feel creative, stop writing. There is no point in hanging on to something you are not feeling at the moment. Take a break, or try to apply the above strategies to boost your mood. Do something funny, take a walk, have a drink. Make sure you write everything from the bottom of your heart — stay honest, and be yourself. Finding creativity is not that hard as long as you enjoy the process.

Not only will you find soul-filling joy in the process of letter writing, but your recipient is sure to, as well. Good luck, you got this!

You may also enjoy reading Letters to My Mindful Self | Practicing Mindfulness Through Letter Writing , by Wendy Wolff

About Julie Petersen

In between writing reviews about the best essay writing services , Julie also working as a tutor where she shares her knowledge about writing skills with her students.

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• Writing Prompts

32+ Letter Writing Prompts: Creative & Persuasive Letter Prompts

Did you know that letter writing has risen in popularity over the recent years? In fact, in the year 2017 to 2018 over 36% of children said that they enjoy writing letters in their free time. While in 2011 this percentage was as low as 28%. It’s not a drastic increase, but it’s definitely a clear increase! So to support this continued rise in interest for letter writing, we have come up with over 32 letter writing prompts to encourage lower and middle school children to write more letters in their spare time. 

Our list of letter prompts covers everything from elementary school prompts to middle school letter-writing ideas, as well as persuasive letter writing ideas.  See our post on 150 writing prompts for middle school students for more writing ideas.

32+ Creative Letter Writing Prompts

Over 32 letter writing prompts for students in the 1st grade, 2nd grade , 3rd grade to even 6th graders:

• Favourite things: Write a letter to your pen pal asking them about their favourite things. Start by asking them about their favourite colour, food, animal and favourite subject at school. Then you can talk about your own favourite things.
• Distant Relative: Write a letter to a distant relative (someone you haven’t seen in a while). In this letter, you can talk about the things you miss about them and also the things they are missing out on here at home. 
• Fan Mail: Write a letter to your favourite celebrity. What would you ask this celebrity? Is there anything you would like to share with them? What do you like most about them?
• Future Self: Write a letter to yourself in 5 years time. What would you tell your older self? What things would you want them to remember from the past?
• Thank an everyday hero: Think about someone that inspires you. This could be a teacher, nurse, doctor, policeman and so on. Write a note to them thanking them for the service they provide every day.
• Write to your favourite superhero: Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Spiderman – Whoever your favourite superhero is, write an imaginary letter to them. You can talk about their superpowers, a recent battle they might have had, their arch-nemesis or anything else!
• Lesson Learned: Think about something that you have recently learned and who you learned this from. Can you write a letter to thank them for teaching you this amazing new lesson?
• See you later Letter: It’s the last day of school. Write a ‘see you later’ letter to your friends which you might not see over the holidays. 
• Goodbye Letter: You’re leaving a long adventure and you don’t know when you’ll be back. Write a goodbye letter to your loved ones and friends telling them that you’ll miss them and about the adventure you have planned. 
• Old Memories: Think about your favourite past memories. Who are these memories with? Write a letter to this person talking about your favourite moments from this memory. 
• Weather forecast alert: Write a letter to someone in another country describing the weather where you are right now.
• Cheer them up: Write a letter to cheer someone up who is sad. You could include a funny story or joke in this letter.
• The first time we met: Think about the first time you met your friend. Write a letter to them reminding them of this time. 
• Letter to Grandparents: Write a letter to your grandparents, asking them about the old times. What was school like for them? What kind of games did they play when they were young? 
• Birthday Party invites: Write a letter inviting someone to a birthday party that you’re having. Talk about the party theme, food, music and don’t forget to include the time and location.
• Apology letter: Have you hurt anyone’s feelings recently? Write them an apology letter to tell them how sorry you are. 
• Letter to Santa: Write a letter to Santa , telling him that you have been good with examples. Don’t forget to include a wish list!
• Alien Invasion Response: Aliens are coming to invade Earth! Send them a letter to convince them to stop invading Earth.
• Letter of complaint: Imagine you recently went to a restaurant and the food was bad. Now write a letter of complaint to the owner of that restaurant. In this letter, you can give them ideas of how they can improve their food and service. 
• Letter to publication: Do you have a favourite magazine that you read? Write a letter to your favourite publication telling them how good their recent issue was.
• Letter to your mayor/council: Write a formal letter to the mayor of your town, telling them how to improve your town. You can talk about the issues in your town and how these can be fixed. 
• Trapped on an island: Imagine you are trapped on an island in the middle of nowhere. Write a message in a bottle to someone. This can be an SOS message, a message telling others how good your life is now or how bad it is. What message would you want people to find?
• People of the future: Write a letter to the people of the future in 100 years time. What things would you want them to know about your life?
• Secret Admirer: This one is a good Valentine’s Day writing activity . Write an anonymous letter to someone you like, telling them everything you like about them. 
• Letter to an object: Write a letter to an inanimate object in your room, like a pencil or a chair. What would ask this object?
• New stuff: Write a letter about something new you got recently. You can start the letter by saying, “Today I got…”
• Deforestation : You just found out that a new company is building its headquarters in your town. To build this new building they will have to destroy the local forest. Send a letter to your local mayor stating your opinion. Take a look at these endangered species writing activities for more environmental fun.
• The Job Application: Write a letter to a company that you want to work for in the future. Tell them why you would make a good worker and why they should hire you.
• Animal Testing: You recently found out that a local beauty company is using animals like monkeys and dogs to test their new range of make-up. Write a letter to this company telling them why this is unethical or bad.
• Homework and more homework: Write a letter to your teacher telling them of your opinion on homework. Do you think homework should be banned? Why or why not? 
• Animal Letter writing: Imagine if animals could write. Choose an animal of your choice and write a letter to them. What have you always wanted to ask your chosen animal? This DIY animal envelope tutorial could be a fun idea here. 
• Fairytale letters: We’re sure that everyone has read a fairytale . Pick a fairytale character of your choice and write a letter to them. This could be Cinderella, one of the seven dwarves or even the big bad wolf.
• Dear Mom Letter: Write a dear mom letter to your mom! You can start with the following sentence: I love this picture of you… Check this post for more ‘ Dear Mom’ Letter prompts .

What do you think of these creative letter-writing prompts? Let us know in the comments and you can even share your letters with us too!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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How to write a letter

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER:  A GUIDE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

In this age of digital communication, writing letters is becoming something of a lost art. Emails and text messages can be sent instantly and for a fraction of the cost good old-fashioned snail mail can offer.

So, why bother teaching letter-writing at all? Well, though electronic ‘letters’ are often freer in formatting and language than physical letters, we can also apply letter-writing rules to electronic media. However, physical letters do offer some distinct benefits of their own too.

A WELL-WRITTEN LETTER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

Whilst we pride ourselves here on how to write a great essay, information report, or another text type that is primarily used in an educational setting, the ability to craft a powerful letter or email has literally changed people’s lives, altered the course of history and been the difference between life and death in some cases.

It can be the one opportunity to remove all the noise and confusion on any subject area and honestly tell someone how you feel straight from the heart.  Pen to paper.  

For whatever reason, a thousand emails, tweets, and likes will never have the same impact as a well-crafted handwritten letter.  Its very creation and existence show your reader how passionate and genuine about what it contains.

Letters fall under the transactional writing category; if you want to know more about transactional texts, be sure to check out our in-depth guide here.

COMPLETE LETTER WRITING UNIT FOR STUDENTS

Over 100 PAGES of engaging RESOURCES , various letter SAMPLES , LESSON PLANS and INTERACTIVE DIGITAL RESOURCES to teach your students how to write amazing LETTERS and EMAILS .

Teach this life skill with confidence through this excellent ALL-IN-ONE RESOURCE . No preparation is required.

3 REASONS TO TEACH LETTER WRITING

1. the personal touch: .

Those of us who grew up in an age before the internet got going will remember the excitement of waiting for and receiving a letter. Many of us will have had childhood pen pals we never met or received love letters from our teenage sweethearts. Maybe some treasured letters are still securely stored in a bedside drawer.

There is something extremely personal and intimate about the letter that email cannot capture. Letters are physical, and their increasing rarity makes them seem even more intimate today.

In this day and age, receiving a personally written letter is something a unicorn in communication terms. Students who know how to produce a well-crafted letter can use it to their advantage. For example, any business hiring manager will undoubtedly be numbed by the constant torrent of emails flooding their inbox.

That mailed resume accompanied by a handwritten letter that waits for them on their desk in the morning will surely stand out and secure an attentive read. The letter, in its various forms, is guaranteed to stand out and make an impact in an age where the vast majority of communication is digital.

3. Handwriting

Just as letter writing has declined in popularity, so too has the emphasis on well-developed handwriting skills. You can, if you wish, take the opportunity here to have the students work on their handwriting skills.

While students may protest that they can accomplish the task much quicker by word-processing, another benefit of handwriting a letter is that the speed becomes almost meditative. This allows students to focus carefully on their grammar and punctuation without always resorting to the crutch of spell-checkers and grammar correction software.

FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTER WRITING:  WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The table below outlines whether your letter should be written formally or informally, with some suggested prompts .  Whilst there are many similarities, a formal letter should always be considered as a document with a real purpose and ramifications.

FORMAL LETTER FEATURES

USED FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION THESE DOCUMENTS FOLLOW A PRESCRIBED FORMAT. THEY ARE WRITTEN IN A PASSIVE VOICE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND IN MANY CASES ARE LEGALLY BINDING. SOME EXAMPLES ARE.

INVITATION Make someone feel special about an upcoming event.

APPLICATION Write a professional letter of application for a job or group you wish to join.

REFEREE / REFERENCE Vouch for another’s skills, personality or credibility.

ACCEPTANCE & REJECTION Approve or deny an applicant in a professional manner.

MAKE AN OFFER Make a formal and binding offer in writing.

EXIT / RESIGNATION Formally leave or step down in a professional and dignified manner.

INFORMAL LETTER FEATURES

USED FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION THESE LETTERS HAVE NO PRESCRIBED FORMAT AND ARE WRITTEN IN AN ACTIVE VOICE.

THANK YOU Let someone know you appreciate their efforts.

CONGRATULATIONS Acknowledge someone’s achievements in life.

GRIEVANCE / LOSS Acknowledge someones personal loss or suffering and let them know you care.

FRIENDSHIP & LOVE Tell someone how special they are to you and why?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR / MAYOR ETC. Let someone know how their actions and adversely affect you and others.

LETTER TO SELF Give your older or younger self some words of advice and wisdom.

INFORMATIONAL UPDATE Write a letter back home telling them what you have been up to.

HOW TO WRITE FORMAL LETTERS

The writing process begins with planning.

As with all genres of writing, the process of formal letter writing should start with planning. This should involve sketching a brief outline from which to work rather than a comprehensive detailing of minutiae. The plan should include:

• Note addresses, names etc. – who are you writing to?
• Record the purpose of the letter – what do you want to say?
• List points to be made (each will form a paragraph) – how will you say it?
• State action point – what do you want the reader to do?

Formal letters can be written for a wide range of purposes and may come in various shapes, including a letter of complaint, a cover letter accompanying a job application, a letter of invitation, a reference letter, or a proposal letter – to name a few. Though each will adhere to its own rules of formatting and tone when writing formal letters, students should avoid using slang or contractions.

Language should be straightforward and polite. Encourage students to avoid bursts of purple prose in favor of direct, functional language. Usually, a formal letter will be written to achieve a particular end and should be written with that end foremost in mind. Students should avoid meanderings and stay firmly focused on the task at hand.

TIPS FOR WRITING GREAT FORMAL LETTERS

• The writer’s address should be in the top right-hand corner.
• The date should be written below the writer’s address
• The recipient’s name and address are below that on the left-hand side
• Use the correct opening (Dear Sir / Madam, Dear Mrs Ferguson, etc.)
• Use Standard English
• The opening sentence should explain the purpose of the letter
• Each paragraph should make a single specific point
• Use an appropriate formal tone and register in the wording of the letter
• Avoid contractions, slang, and abbreviations
• The concluding ‘action point’ paragraph states what you want the recipient to do
• The formal ending, such as Yours Sincerely or Yours Faithfully

A Note on Salutations

If the student knows the intended recipient’s name, start with Dear Mr. / Mrs Surname and end with Yours Sincerely. If they don’t know the recipient’s name, start with Dear Sir / Madam and end with Yours Faithfully.

Use of Rhetorical Devices

As mentioned, formal letter writing focuses on attempting to convince someone to take some course of action or other. To do this, it is helpful to employ some rhetorical devices to make the writing more persuasive . Some useful techniques to encourage your students to employ include:

Direct Address: Using the pronoun ‘you’ in a formal letter makes the reader feel that you are speaking directly to them. This helps to engage the reader and encourage them to continue reading the letter.

Emotive Language: Where students are trying to convince the reader to take a course of action, the use of emotive language can often be a powerful tool. Students can use either positive or negative colored words to create the desired response in the reader.

Facts and Figures: Another way to persuade and convince is to employ facts and figures to support the points made in the letter.

FORMAL LETTER STUDENT EXAMPLES

How to write an informal letter

Common features of informal letters:.

There are far fewer rules to follow when writing an informal letter, but there are still some practical guidelines to follow that will prove helpful for students engaged in writing informally.

As with any piece of writing, it is important to consider who the audience is and the reason for writing in the first place. In particular, this will help decide the tone and the language register. The more intimate the relationship, the more informal the language can be.

Though the letter will be informal, it will still have a purpose. Information should still be organized into paragraphs, as would be done with a formal, more ‘official’ letter. Students sometimes struggle with this aspect, as they often conflate ‘informal’ with ‘disorganized.’ Making them plan their informal letter before writing can help ensure it is sufficiently organized.

HOW TO START AN INFORMAL LETTER

Informal letters will start with a greeting appropriate to how close the relationship is. For acquaintances, this may be ‘Dear Tom,’ (using the first name instead of the surname) to a very informal ‘Hi Jane,’. Don’t forget the comma after the name!

After the greeting, a general opening sentence should follow. Usually, this will be something like a ‘How are you?’ or a ‘How have you been?’. If the recipient is married or has kids, you may wish to ask how their spouse or children are.

Next, students should state the reason for writing. The language should be open and friendly in tone and, in contrast to the formal letter, colloquial language, idiomatic expressions, and contractions are perfectly okay and even desirable.

Just as the opening salutation to an informal letter is much more relaxed, so too will the closing salutation. There are many possibilities for the students to choose here, and their decision will depend on who they are writing to and their personal preferences. Some examples of possible closings include ‘Love’, ‘Best regards’, ‘All the best’, and ‘Thanks’.

INFORMAL LETTER STUDENT EXAMPLES

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

PRACTICE LETTER WRITING WITH THESE ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

The most effective way for students to internalize all the features of letter writing, formal or informal, is to gain experience by writing various letters for differing purposes. The following activities offer some suggestions for students to get practising today:

1. FICTION AS A SPRINGBOARD

Have students write as if they were a character from a piece of fiction you have been reading in class. Choosing a dramatic point in the plot , ask students to imagine they are one of the characters writing a letter to another character in the story. This writer may be either formal or informal, depending on the scenario presented. This will give students realistic letter-writing practice while also getting them to engage closely with the text and respond imaginatively to its themes.

2. THE AGONY AUNT

Either offer a range of possible life predicaments or cut out the questions from the ‘agony aunt’ page of a local newspaper. Students must write back offering advice in response to the predicaments expressed in the question or predicament. The response should be written in full letter format. This activity also lends itself to several variations. The response may be written to a close friend, for example, or written from the perspective of a professional agony aunt employing a more formal tone and presentation.

3. A LETTER OF COMPLAINT

Have students think of their favorite candy bar or clothing item. Encourage them to imagine they have bought this product lately and found it to be substandard. Students must write a formal letter of complaint to the manufacturer outlining their complaint and recommending a course of action to satisfactorily resolve that complaint. They must use all the features of a formal letter as outlined above.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HANDWRITTEN LETTERS LOOK OLD AND AUTHENTIC.

• Write in pencil or a calligraphy pen,
• screw them up tightly and carefully unfold and flatten.
• Lightly dab coffee stains over the paper to make it look aged.
• Carefully singe or burn the edges of your paper.
• Add some sepia-filtered photos for effect.

SIGNING-OFF

As students become more confident in their understanding of letter-writing formats, encourage them to exchange letters with each other for peer assessment. You may wish to provide them with a checklist of features to look for while reading over their partner’s work.

Letter-writing can also be a great way to partner up with schools overseas; often, children studying English as a second language will be delighted to receive letters from (and write to) students in English-speaking countries. And though email increasingly encroaches on the traditional territory of the letter, many of the skills garnered in the practice of letter writing are transferable to the modern manifestation. There is ample opportunity here to link letter-writing learning with approaches to writing emails too.

Letter-writing can provide a focus for a wide range of learning objectives while also teaching students valuable practical skills that will serve them well beyond their school years, both in their personal and work lives. And who knows, perhaps in years to come, one of the letters your student writes in your class may become a treasured keepsake in someone’s bedside drawer.

LETTER WRITING GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS (TEMPLATES)

WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE FOR ALL TEXT TYPES

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (92 Reviews)

HOW TO WRITE A FORMAL LETTER TUTORIAL VIDEO

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO LETTER WRITING

Transactional Writing

Personal Narrative Writing Guide

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Content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh.  A former principal of an international school and university English lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience.  Editing and support content has been provided by the literacyideas  team.

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How to Write a Letter With Examples and Tips

Sarah Oakley

Table of Contents

How do you write a letter, how to format a letter in 6 steps, letter format examples, how prowritingaid can help you with writing letters.

Letter writing is still a popular form of communication in a world where we expect instant responses thanks to email and phone calls.

USPS reports they process and deliver an average of 421.4 million mail pieces every day. Millions of those are letters being sent all over the world, not just to the US.

Letter writing is a great way to make your voice heard, make things happen, and show how much you care about something. Writing a letter carries more weight than an email or phone call because it takes more effort, and there are bigger costs involved.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to write a letter to clearly convey your points, and we’ll show you some examples you can use for inspiration.

To write a letter , you need to decide if you’re going to handwrite or type. Handwritten letters show you took the time to express your thoughts on paper. However, typing can save you some time, and you can still hand sign it after it’s printed.

The next part of writing a successful letter is thinking about what you would like your letter to achieve. You could write a love letter, hoping to get a date. It could be a cover letter to accompany your résumé, which needs to secure you an interview. Think about the result you hope to achieve before you plan what you want your letter to say.

You’ll need to decide if your letter will be formal or informal. Depending on the recipient and the reason for the letter, the formality is important, as it can affect how the message is received. If you are writing a personal letter to someone you know, opt for informal. However, if it’s for a job application or for an official, the reader would expect you to use formal letter writing.

Another thing to consider when writing a letter is your tone, which is how your letter sounds to the person reading it. If you’re writing a complaint, you want the reader to know you’re frustrated, but you don’t want to sound rude.

When you’re ready to write your letter, set some time aside for it. Before you write your letter, make a plan for what you’re going to say. Get your writing tools together as well as some envelopes and stamps, then you can start.

A letter is a piece of writing that is easy to identify by the written format. Letters follow a similar format to allow the reader to find and skim the important information.

The formatting details in the next six steps will tell you how to write a letter that gets your point across.

How to Head a Letter

Letterheads start with the sender’s address aligned to the left, right, or in the middle. If you write formal letters, you will need to include this as the receiver may need to respond in writing. For informal letters to those you know, forgo your address if you want to.

If you write lots of letters, consider getting some letterheads printed. Having a stack of paper with your details already printed can save you a lot of time. Alternatively, you can get a custom stamp printed and an ink block.

Which Side Do You Write the Date on a Letter?

Under the sender’s address , you’ll need to add the date you’re writing the letter. Write the date on the same side of the page as your address.

For personal letters where you haven’t included the sender’s address, you still need to add the date. The date gives context to your letter, so you don’t want to leave it out.

If you’re writing a formal letter, write the date out in full with the month first, then the day, then the year. For example, a letter written on 2023-03-15, you would write March 15, 2023. In the US, you need to add a comma between the day and the year.

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Where to Include the Recipient’s Address on a Letter

The recipient’s address needs to be aligned to the left-hand side on the line below the date.

When writing a formal letter, start the recipient’s address with their name on one line, followed by their job title on the next line. Then write the company name and address below that.

For personal letters, you don’t need to include your recipient’s address.

How to Write an Introduction in a Letter

The introduction in your letter is the greeting and the first paragraph. Leave a line space under the address and start with the greeting.

There are many possible greetings you could start your introduction with, such as “Dear [recipient’s name].” For a formal letter, write their entire name. Alternatively, you can write “Mr.” or “Ms.” followed by their initials and surname. If it’s an informal letter, just write their first name.

If you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to, you can use “Dear Sir or Madam.” To get the right address for your letter when writing to a company, you can call and request the name of the person you need to write to.

After the salutation, write your introductory paragraph. Always include the subject in your first sentence, and follow up with your reason for writing. For example, in a complaint letter about a faulty product, you would mention the product and any purchase reference in the first sentence, then explain you would like to complain about the quality of the product.

In a personal or informal letter, still include the subject and reason for writing in your first paragraph. This lets the reader know what to expect in the letter and sets the tone.

What to Write in a Letter

The body of your letter is where you’ll add the main points you want to address. All the points should be in an easy-to-follow order so your reader doesn’t lose the overall message of your letter.

Each paragraph should start with an opening sentence, followed by your evidence or additional information. Then you’ll want to close with a concluding sentence that connects to the next paragraph.

The length of your letter can differ depending on what you are writing about. Don’t write too much to make your letter look longer, as you’ll risk losing the reader’s attention. However, you don’t want to leave anything essential out of your letter, either.

If you’re struggling to order your points or know what to say, try using a template to guide you. Just remember, each letter is unique, so don’t rely on a template to write 100% of your letter. You don’t want your letter to sound generic or copied from the internet.

Ways to Sign a Letter

The last part of letter writing is the signature or sign-off. How you sign your letter will depend on the formality of the letter and if you know the recipient.

For formal letters, use “Yours sincerely” when you know the recipient, and “Yours faithfully” when you don’t. If you are writing to an official, such as a politician you will never meet, you can use “Yours truly.”

Sign-offs are not set in stone, though some people might tell you they are. It’s best to use what feels right for your letter based on the formality and tone you’ve used so far.

In an informal or personal letter, you can sign off with something a lot friendlier. You could use “With all my love” or “Your devoted friend.”

If you are typing your letter, you can handwrite your signature under the sign-off to show you have checked it and are confirming the words above are all your own.

For formal letters, include your full name in capital letters under your signature to be clear about who is signing the letter.

If you’re still not sure about how to write a letter, we have some examples to help you get started.

Here is an example of the indented paragraph format:

123 High Street

London, OH 12345

November 23, 2022

Martin Jones

Marketing Director

Advertising Company

456 West Street

London, OH 23456

Dear Mr. M Jones,

I recently saw your television advertisement for the new beauty salon on 7th Street, and I thought you did a great job. I would like to inquire about your rates for a 30-second advertisement for my beauty salon.

Please send me the costs for filming and producing an advertisement for television. I believe this will benefit my business and bring in new clients.

If there is any further information you require for the quotation, please get in touch with me at the above address.

Yours faithfully,

If you’re using the indented paragraph format, indent the initial line. You should then format subsequent paragraphs with indented first lines. The indented paragraph format is a common format used for both business and personal letters. 

Here is an example of the block letter format:

1 New Street

Manhattan, NY 12345

January 3, 2023

Managing Director

Example Company

123 Old Road

Brooklyn, NY 67891

Dear Mr. J Bloggs,

I’m writing to you today to discuss the price increase in my energy bill dated December 30th, 2022. I don’t recall being notified of this increase.

As you did not notify me of the increase, I did not budget for it. I cannot afford the extra amount and would appreciate it if you revert my charge back to the previous amount.

I look forward to hearing from you.

In this format, align everything to the left, including the addresses and the date. You do not need to indent your first line, but you should leave spaces between paragraphs. You’ll see the block letter format used by businesses as a formal letter format.

Here is an example of a simplified style letter format:

Janet Jones

Retail Company HQ

456 New Acre Drive

Denver, CO 12345

March 30, 2022

Store Manager

Retail Company

Colorado Springs, CO 34567

STOCK LEVELS OF BANANAS AND ORANGES

The stock levels of bananas and oranges in your store are getting low. I would recommend you place an order for these items soon to ensure you continue to provide these to your customers.

Please let me know if you cannot place an order for these products before April 5th, 2022.

I look forward to seeing you again on my next store visit. 

Yours sincerely,

The fundamental difference between this format and the others is that it includes a subject line instead of a greeting.

Once you’ve written your first draft of a letter, you’ll want to edit it to ensure it reads correctly and doesn’t have any grammatical errors. That’s where ProWritingAid can help you.

Start by reading your letter aloud, as this will help you spot any glaring errors. Then you can run it through ProWritingAid to see if there’s anything you’ve missed. The Realtime checker picks up on spelling and grammar errors and passive voice. It also shows places where you can improve readability, which is important for your reader to understand what you’re saying.

You can use the Style and Grammar Reports for a more in-depth analysis of your letter. If you are writing business letters, select the specific document type from the drop-down menu in the Realtime sidebar before you run your reports. This will ensure your results focus on the specific requirements for your letter type.

Even if you’re not typing out your letter, write a first draft and edit it before you write the version you’ll be posting. For tips on editing, you can check out some of the other articles on the ProWritingAid blog.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to write a letter that achieves the results you want.

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14 Types of Creative Writing

by Melissa Donovan | Apr 6, 2021 | Creative Writing | 20 comments

Which types of creative writing have you tried?

When we talk about creative writing, fiction and poetry often take the spotlight, but there are many other types of creative writing that we can explore.

Most writers develop a preference for one form (and genre) above all others. This can be a good thing, because you can specialize in your form and genre and become quite proficient. However, occasionally working with other types of writing is beneficial. It prevents your work from becoming stale and overladen with form- or genre-specific clichés, and it’s a good way to acquire a variety of techniques that are uncommon in your preferred form and genre but that can be used to enhance it.

Types of Creative Writing

Free writing: Open a notebook or an electronic document and just start writing. Allow strange words and images to find their way to the page. Anything goes! Also called stream-of-consciousness writing, free writing is the pinnacle of creative writing.

Journals: A journal is any written log. You could keep a gratitude journal, a memory journal, a dream journal, or a goals journal. Many writers keep idea journals or all-purpose omni-journals that can be used for everything from daily free writes to brainstorming and project planning.

Diaries: A diary is a type of journal in which you write about your daily life. Some diaries are written in letter format (“Dear Diary…”). If you ever want to write a memoir, then it’s a good idea to start keeping a diary.

Letters: Because the ability to communicate effectively is increasingly valuable, letter writing is a useful skill. There is a long tradition of publishing letters, so take extra care with those emails you’re shooting off to friends, family, and business associates. Hot tip: one way to get published if you don’t have a lot of clips and credits is to write letters to the editor of a news publication.

Memoir: A genre of creative nonfiction , memoirs are books that contain personal accounts (or stories) that focus on specific experiences. For example, one might write a travel memoir.

Essays. Essays are often associated with academic writing, but there are many types of essays, including personal essays, descriptive essays, and persuasive essays, all of which can be quite creative (and not especially academic).

Journalism: Some forms of journalism are more creative than others. Traditionally, journalism was objective reporting on facts, people, and events. Today, journalists often infuse their writing with opinion and storytelling to make their pieces more compelling or convincing.

Poetry: Poetry is a popular but under-appreciated type of writing, and it’s easily the most artistic form of writing. You can write form poetry, free-form poetry, and prose poetry.

Song Lyrics: Song lyrics combine the craft of writing with the artistry of music. Composing lyrics is similar to writing poetry, and this is an ideal type of writing for anyone who can play a musical instrument.

Scripts: Hit the screen or the stage by writing scripts for film, television, theater, or video games. Beware: film is a director’s medium, not a writer’s medium, but movies have the potential to reach a non-reading audience.

Storytelling: Storytelling is the most popular form of creative writing and is found in the realms of both fiction and nonfiction writing. Popular forms of fiction include flash fiction, short stories, novellas, and full-length novels; and there are tons of genres to choose from. True stories, which are usually firsthand or secondhand accounts of real people and events, can be found in essays, diaries, memoirs, speeches, and more. Storytelling is a tremendously valuable skill, as it can be found in all other forms of writing, from poetry to speech writing.

Speeches: Whether persuasive, inspirational, or informative, speech writing can lead to interesting career opportunities in almost any field or industry. Also, speech-writing skills will come in handy if you’re ever asked to write and deliver a speech at an important event, such as a graduation, wedding, or award ceremony.

Vignettes: A  vignette is defined as “a brief evocative description, account, or episode.” Vignettes can be poems, stories, descriptions, personal accounts…anything goes really. The key is that a vignette is extremely short — just a quick snippet.

Honorable Mention: Blogs. A blog is not a type of writing; it’s a publishing platform — a piece of technology that displays web-based content on an electronic device. A blog can be used to publish any type of writing. Most blogs feature articles and essays, but you can also find blogs that contain diaries or journals, poetry, fiction, journalism, and more.

Which of these types of creative writing have you tried? Are there any forms of writing on this list that you’d like to experiment with? Can you think of any other types of creative writing to add to this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment, and keep writing.

20 Comments

What is “flash” writing or stories.

Flash fiction refers to super short stories, a few hundred words or fewer.

its very helpful especially to those students like me who wasn’t capable or good in doing a creative writing

I’m glad you found this post helpful, Elena.

I also found this to be very helpful, especially because I don’t do very well at writing.

Thanks for letting me know you found this helpful. Like anything else, writing improves with practice.

Thank you Melissa. It’s very helpful!

You’re welcome!

Over all good list. Yes blogs can be publishing platforms but only if something is written first. I read what you wrote on a blog.

Thanks a lot Good job

Are these types of creaitve writing the same or different if I need to teach children’s creative writing? Can you recommend a website to teach these?

Hi Marie. Thanks for your question. I’ve come across many websites for teaching children’s creative writing. I recommend a search on Google, which will lead you to a ton of resources.

these are very helpful when it comes to getting in college or essays or just to improve my writing

Thanks, Donte. I’m glad you found this helpful.

Free writing really helps me get going. For some reason my prose are much better when I am not beholden to an overall plot or narrative with specific defined characters. I like to free writer “excerpts” on theprose.com. It allows me to practice writing and receive feedback at the same time. I am also trying to blog about writing my first novel, both for writing practice and to keep myself accountable. It really helps!

I feel the same way. Free writing is always a fun and creative experience for me.

Was trying to give an inservice on writing skills and the different types of writing.

Your wok here really helped. Thanks.

You’re welcome.

Hi, Melissa can you assist me ? I’m trying to improve my writing skills as quickly as possible. Plz send me some more tips and trick to improve my writing and communication skills.

You are welcome to peruse this website, which is packed with tips for improving your writing. I’d recommend focusing on the categories Better Writing and Writing Tips for writing improvement. You can also subscribe to get new articles send directly to your email. Thanks!

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Jennie Moraitis

Dedicated to helping you nurture your God-given creativity

Write Now: 18 Letter Writing Prompts

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Here are some letter writing prompts to get you back into writing old-fashioned mail. Make someone’s day today! 🙂

I come from a family of letter writers. When I was a little girl, I would write letters to my Grandpa (my mom would pen in his last name), and he would write me back. He would send photos of the dog and tell me about his projects and the garden. I loved getting mail from him. When friends moved away, I wrote letters to them. And many of them wrote back. I still have letters from a friend who wrote to me by candlelight in the Amazon (her parents moved there for a few years to be missionaries.)

When it was time for college, I wrote volumes back home and received volumes back. I laughed until I cried from letters from my sisters. We went through a stage of making envelopes out of magazine pages so those were particularly colorful (and funny, since we also wrote our own comments on the ads.) My mom wrote beautiful descriptive letters about how life was going and even my dad would drop me a line here and there.

But as email and texting and social media in general have come more and more into play, my letter-writing has slowed almost to a halt. I still write my Grandpa and the little girls we sponsor. And I try to send notes to my mom and sisters. Just this last week I received a novel (what we call a very long letter) from one of my sisters and another from my mom. I need to write them back!

When I ask around, it seems that most of us are not writing ‘real’ letters anymore (‘real’ meaning pen on paper as opposed to long emails, etc.) but that many of us want to write more. This is very interesting to me. I hear things like, “I love receiving real mail instead of just bills!” but then most of us kind of stay in that, “Wouldn’t it be nice?…” place and don’t do the thing. Myself included.

So, I thought I’d write a blog post with some letter writing prompts and ideas so you can get back into the writing spirit.  This isn’t an exhaustive list but hopefully it will get you going with writing letters again. I’m sure your friends and family will appreciate receiving something other than junk mail in their mail box!

  Letter Writing Prompts

1. Be an Encourager. Write out a few ways you’d like to encourage this person on a post-it note before you start your real letter and refer to it as you write. It is always nice to think of how you can encourage your recipient rather than just writing until you can’t think of anything else to say. (Here are some free printable encouragement cards that you could use.)

2. Illustrate your day or a recent trip. You might think your day is too boring to illustrate, but it is actually fun to see a peek into someone’s life. What did you eat for breakfast? What did you notice on the way to work or school? When you start looking at your day as an observer, things will start to pop out at you. I once saw a woman very intently reading a book with a large magnifying glass at a coffee shop. And there was the time I was on a run and saw a man playing the trumpet to the ocean waves. Those little random moments made great illustrations!

3. What’s the weather like where you are? I know, nerd alert, but this is nearly always included in my letters. I can’t help myself. I think it is interesting to read about the ice storm that hit the East coast or how the daffodils are coming up early this year.

4. Describe a new favorite place to visit. Maybe you just discovered a fun coffee shop or a little courtyard where you can sit by a fountain and write. Write about it!

5. The latest and greatest antics from the kids (or pets). You’ll probably naturally add this in. Did your toddler just start counting to twenty out of nowhere? Has your cat decided it will only eat its food when no one is looking? Random, but funny moments are fun to read.

6. Share what you’re learning. Maybe you are in school and you can take this quite literally by sharing some of the things you’re getting out of your classes. But even if you’re way past school age, you’re always in the state of learning. Did you read something interesting lately? See a good movie that you recommend?

7. Talk about your goals. Most likely you’re writing to someone who loves you so they will probably think it is interesting to see what you’re working on right now. And don’t be intimidated by the word, “goal”. It could be something really simple like sharing how you’re on a mission to learn how to make the perfect scone.

What to Include in Your Letter

1. Send a family picture or a picture of yourself. Sounds silly but honestly, so often we take pictures these days and never print them. It’s fun to receive a picture of someone that isn’t a holiday picture (at least I think so. :))

2. Make a paper chain or a banner to celebrate an event. Make it super small so it fits into an envelope. It will be a mini celebration!

3. Send a postcard. You can send this in the letter or separately. It is always fun to receive one of those majestic scenic postcards in the mail.

4. Make a mini-book . Fill it with favorite quotes, illustrations, collage, or whatever you’d like. You could also send blank mini-books and explain how to fill them up.

5. Kid’s artwork. I love receiving artwork from my nieces and nephews. Our refrigerator is like a little museum. If you have kids, before you toss that latest masterpiece because it is cluttering the counter top, consider sending it to Nana or Auntie. You could also take your child’s art and make it into a card by using this tutorial .

6. Send a poem. In my mom’s latest letter, she mentioned coming across an old letter I had sent her years ago when I was working in Santa Barbara, California. I had copied out a favorite poem at the time, “Black March” by Stevie Smith. I had forgotten about it, but just looked it up again. What a beautiful thought to read. Poems or lyrics to a song convey so much truth and are wonderful ways to share your heart.

No More Excuses!

1. Just do the thing. Take 15 minutes, grab a piece of paper, and write. It really won’t take you as long as you think. If you’d rather type, then type it out on the computer and print. Done.

2. Make a date to write. Maybe you don’t have time at the moment to write, so instead, schedule it in. I’m not usually stringent with this—it is supposed to be fun, right?—I just write on my to-do list at the beginning of the week that I need to write a letter to so-and-so and make a point to do it somewhere in those seven days. p.s. This is what I mean by a “letter-writing retreat” in the image above. It takes me 10 minutes to write a meaningful letter during my retreat time (usually nap time!), and I’m always so glad I did.

3. Think of how happy you’ll make that person. Maybe that is a silly thing to say, but if that is what works for you, go ahead and do it. What grandparent is going to roll their eyes at a letter? Most people are kind of surprised and grateful for real mail. You might just make someone’s day!

4. Buy stamps at the grocery store. You wrote the letter, addressed the envelope, and . . . oh, yeah, a stamp. Rather than going to the post office which may or may not be out of the way for you, just pick up a book of stamps at the grocery store the next time you’re there. Write it as an item on your grocery list so you don’t forget.

5. Write how you talk. No need to be fancy. You don’t have to sit down and think up elaborate sentences and make this into a chore. Have fun, jot down your thoughts, and send that letter off into the world!

If you want to do something really fun, you should try making a set of Write Me Back cards for the friend you’re going to write. One of my friends and I did this a few years ago and I loved making/receiving a card every month!

Well, hopefully these few ideas encouraged you to bring some letter writing back into your life. I know that I am going to take these thoughts to heart and write my sister and mom back! I created a letter-writing bundle that is seriously full of prompts like these, tutorials, and printable stationery so you can keep your letter-writing going all year long. Click here to check it out.

Hope you all have a lovely {and creative} day!

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35 responses to “write now: 18 letter writing prompts”.

Oh! I remember those novels. 😉 Remember the time I sent the cat fur from Thomise’s brush b/c I thought you could use a pet? LOL Oh so gross! 😉 I also remember those letters while you were in college. Hilarious! I know I have those in a box b/c they are priceless. Thanks for posting this. Ironically, this has been on my mind as well and right next to my computer is a box of cards. 🙂 I was thinking of sending a long update email and then I read your post….Instead I’m going to do snail mail. 😉 Love you, Jen!

Love you too! I need to write you back too! And yes, oh my goodness, I remember those letters. I have them all saved. They make me laugh every time I take them out. 🙂 🙂

This is such a sweet post! I love these prompts and I LOVE snail mail (: Visiting from http://www.andieconn.com/fad-going-gluten-free-reduced-depression-symptoms/ and would love a visit back.

Thanks for visiting, Andie! 🙂

Really don’t know anyone who doesn’t want a piece of mail that’s not a bill or an a Just the encouragement I need to get busy. Some of my recipients aren’t getting any younger!

Just finished a letter to you! 🙂 🙂 I wrote this post and then realized I need to get going on writing! 🙂

I love these prompts! I love to write letters too, but I’ve found myself not doing it as often as I’d like. I’m basically down to only sending out letters around the winter holidays now. These are a great reminder to start up letter writing again.

I hope these help. I love writing letters (and receiving them!) too but sometimes need a little encouragement to actually make time to do it. 🙂 Have a great day!

I love snail mail. Sending it and receiving it. Email and social media are great and all, but there’s nothing like opening the mailbox to find some happy mail! Thanks for the fun writing prompts.

So true! I love receiving real mail. 🙂

I’m with you – hand written letters are the best!

My grandmother was all about writing “real” letters, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the correspondence. It’s so much more fun to get a letter or a card in the mail instead of junk and bills all the time. Alas, after she passed, I’ve had no one to exchange “real” mail with. I’ve thought about trying to get my stepkids into being “pen pals” with my nieces and nephews their ages, since said nieces and nephews don’t live near us. Maybe I should pursue that a little closer.

What a great idea, Emily. I always loved receiving letters from my grandparents too. 🙂

I loved the advice on writing a poem as a letter. I had not thought doing this before. Such a great idea for a creative letter. I also love the advice to write letters how you talk. I am taking part in this great program at incourage called the Snail Mail Party. Ladies across the US have signed up to send handwritten letters to each other. Well, I type mine usually because of my handwriting. It is such a fun program to encourage one another.

What a great idea, Mary! And yes, sharing poetry, encouraging quotes, or snippets of prose is a fun way to share your heart. So many times I read something and think, “Yes!”…gotta share it with someone. Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂

I love this! It’s been on my heart to write some letters… even if I could do one a month! You’re right… no excuses! Pinning this.

Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop!

Wishing you a lovely week! xoxo

Thanks so much, Jennifer! One letter a month sounds like a great idea–I made myself sit down during naptime this weekend and write some letters…it’s funny because I love doing it but just procrastinate. 🙂 It was nice to send those off! Have a wonderful week! 🙂

I love this post. I do try to send cards and add a little note. I like receiving cards…but love them when there is a little note in it!! I must share this on my blog! Thank you for all these great ideas!

Blessings, Gert

I love receiving little notes in cards too! Thanks for stopping by, Gert! 🙂

Letter writing is such a lost art in today’s world. What a great reminder to teach and encourage our children to write letters. Excellent prompt ideas! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week. 🙂

~Lorelai Life With Lorelai

Thanks, Lorelai! You’re so right–it really is a lost art. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂

Hi Jennie, I love love love snail mail. A great post. I have picked your post this week as my post of the week for The Ultimate Party on G+. I am so going to write a letter this week. Have a great weekend. Julie

Thanks so much, Julie! 🙂

Oh my…great post! I’m always get so excited to see what you have brought to the party! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being part of our party. I hope to see you on Monday at 7. Lou Lou Girls

Love what you said here! Somehow you stroke a chord. I used to write lots and lots too, although they weren’t letters. I wrote short stories and novels in fancy notebooks and I remember them going around my classroom as my friends took turns to read. My friends delivered their comments in person and I still remember the pleasure of seeing the excitement in their faces. I believe there is a kind of magic happening when you put pen on paper no matter what the result is. It is a shame that my writing on paper has also come almost to a halt as I use computer keyboard more and more. These days I’m encouraging my eldest to put words on paper whenever she fancies it, and it is always a pleasure to read her ‘short stories’.

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful memory, Veronika. You mentioning this brought back similar memories of my own in English class. 🙂 There really is something about words on paper that is different from typing things up. I think this is why I still love using a paper planner more than my digital one. 🙂 Thanks so very much for your comment and have a lovely day! 🙂

Great post, Jennie! I love writing letters and think that it is a great way to connect with friends and family, especially the ones who are far away. Thanks for the ideas, I’ll definitely have to try some of them in my next letters!

You’re welcome, Hannah. Aren’t old-fashioned letters the best? It always makes me so happy to see one in my mailbox (usually packed in with the junk mail!) Hope you have a great day!

i recently posted on FB that i wanted to get back into writing people and i asked if anyone is interested in being a pen pal and we could include our children as well. This is awesome for me because I know everyone where as the others that in this group we are starting dont know one another. Thank you for sharing! I love getting letter instead always junk or bills. And my kids love it too…

That’s great, Mandie! 🙂 Have fun with the prompts and with sending out lots of lovely snail mail! 🙂

Great prompts and suggestions! I love writing letters and often include some of the things you’ve suggested, but there are a couple there I’d not thought of, so thanks for the ideas.

You’re so welcome! Thanks for stopping by—I love your Instagram account! 🙂 🙂

I love writing letters. I’m always on the hunt for more pen pals too. Hint, hint. 😉

I love these writing prompts and tips for getting in more time to write. I do it weekly it’s a part of my weekend routine to write letters as I watch my kids play.

Oh Crystal, thanks so much for your sweet comment. I wish I could have pen pals right now but I have a few too many creative projects on my plate, haha. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great week! 🙂

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Cover letters are your employer’s first introduction to you as an individual. Your cover letter touches on your interest in the job, the company, and what skills you possess that make you ideal for the position. Your letter will tell the hiring manager a bit about yourself, as well, such as what passions outside of work drive you.

In that regard, it makes sense to be a bit creative with your cover letter to make it feel like you and to catch the hiring manager’s attention. If you’re considering writing a creative cover letter, or wondering if creative cover letters catch an employer’s attention, then keep reading.

Key Takeaways:

Hiring managers can read through dozens of cover letters in a day, so making sure yours stands out is key to getting an invitation to interview .

A creative cover letter helps grab the reader ’s attention by doing something different, whether that’s done visually or through the written content.

Before submitting a creative cover letter, research the company to look for any guidelines and make sure your letter matches the company culture.

Remember that creative cover letters won’t be well received by everyone.

What is a creative cover letter?

How to write a creative cover letter, tips for making cover letters creative, 10 creative cover letter examples, creative cover letter faq.

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Creative cover letters are exactly what they sound like — a cover letter that’s outside the norm. There aren’t any particular guidelines as to what makes a creative cover letter — it is creative, after all — meaning that there are many ways for you to make your letter stand out.

Cover letters can be creative in a number of ways, such as:

Format. If you’re being creative with your cover letter, you don’t have to follow the standard format. Putting things in a different order, adding color or pictures, or formatting the letter differently are things that’ll make it stand out from the crowd. This can be anything from bullet points to a different size margin.

Just be aware that throwing the rules out entirely can be confusing, so be careful how you go about it.

Personalization. All cover letters talk a bit about your passions or interests. But a creative cover letter can add anecdotes, asides, or references to your favorite books or movies.

Informality. Having a conversational tone is atypical for cover letters, but it’s the sort of thing that will really appeal to certain company cultures.

Humor. Adding humor can be a huge boon to cover letters. The trick is making sure that the jokes land, which isn’t easy in writing. But so long as you don’t go do anything controversial or embarrassing, the attempt will likely be appreciated.

Graphics. You can add pictures, graphics, drawings, or charts to your cover letter. There are only certain instances where this is applicable, but if you’re applying for a graphic arts or drawing position, including something you designed in your cover letter shows them your skills right away.

Audio. It’s also possible to add audio to your cover letter if it’s electronic (which most are).

Creative cover letters tend to work best with creative industries, such as:

Architecture

Graphic design

Entertainment

A creative cover letter isn’t going to follow the same rules as a standard cover letter, meaning that it’ll take more thought and effort to write. As you’re doing something nonstandard, your letter is more likely to be scrutinized, which means that you have to be sure that you write the absolute best cover letter you can.

Research the company. If you’re thinking about changing the design to be more creative than the standard header and content format, make sure that your creative cover letter will be well-received. Some professions are stricter and want to see your skills, experience, and qualifications instead of your creativity.

In these cases, it’s best to stick with a classic cover letter with just a professional header and you can get more creative in the body of your letter .

Choose your format. In industries where creativity is encouraged and a good way to attract attention, you can play with the layout, design, and color scheme. The sky’s the limit and you can get super creative.

You just have to make sure that your cover letter is legible and communicates all of your skills and experience. If you’re getting creative, try matching your cover letter to your resume , website, or portfolio . Use the same color scheme or design across all of your application materials so your submissions are easily identifiable and cohesive.

If you’d rather leave your cover letter looking traditional and just spice up the content, there are plenty of ways to make your writing engaging. Improving your writing and adding a little extra flair can liven up your cover letter, making it exciting for the reader.

Take advantage of your first paragraph. The first sentence is most important, and you can leave it at just a creative first sentence if you don’t want to be too outside the norm. However, your first paragraph is where you can be enthusiastic and creative, all while tying it into the skills required for the job.

You can’t just write anything. It’s important that whatever anecdote, joke, or observation you start with is relevant to the job that you’re applying for.

Tell them why you are interested in the company. One way to get creative is to research the company and find interesting facts or stories that you connect with, then mention them in your cover letter.

Include things about where your interests intersect or why you love that company in particular. Some examples include charities that you’re both passionate about or how the organization has made an impact on your life.

Highlight your accomplishments. You might have an achievement that you’re especially proud of or is particularly relevant to the position you’re applying for.

If that’s the case, leading with that might be a good way to capture your reader’s attention right from the beginning.

Proofread and edit. As this letter is going to be non-standard, it’s especially important you don’t have any errors. You don’t want the recipient thinking that you’re just unaware of cover letter standards, or feel that the rules don’t apply to you.

Reread the letter to make sure the point you want to get across lands. It’s best to have someone that you trust read the letter for you as well, just to make sure it works.

While writing a creative cover letter is in many ways similar to writing a standard one, there are some tips to make it more engaging. The trick to a creative cover letter is to make it stand out, and unique cover letters get noticed. It’s important to try to put your personality into the letter, as that’s what you’re really selling: yourself.

Show off your passions. If you love your career path or you’re super excited for the position you’re applying to, let it be known!

Sharing your genuine excitement and passion for a field, industry, or job is a good way to show your dedication, expertise, and engagement.

Create a story. Your cover letter doesn’t just have to be a dry walkthrough of your professional life and achievements.

Include a belief statement. Like a goal or objective on a resume , a belief statement on your cover letter can give hiring teams a one sentence overview of who you are and what you want to achieve.

It’s a great place to write about yourself and align with a company’s values or goals to show that you’ve done your research and you’d be a good culture fit.

Mention a network connection. If you have a friend who already works at the company or got a referral from someone in your network, you should add that to your cover letter . That shows that you already know people at the company and they could vouch for you.

Connections at companies can be extremely useful, so try networking and seeing where you can find connections.

Proofread. Before submitting your cover letter, make sure you are rereading to look for any spelling or grammar errors. You can even have someone else look over it to catch anything you might have missed. It can look unprofessional to send in a letter with errors in it.

Tailor your cover letter. Make sure you are tailoring your letter to each job. Hiring managers can tell when you send in the same cover letter. Make sure to include the company name and the recruiter’s name if you found it. It can also be a good idea to include any keywords from the job listing or company website.

As the definition of a creative cover letter is so broad, it can be difficult to picture what is meant by that. Remember that while this is a creative exercise these are still business letters, so you can’t completely throw all the rules out the window. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t write up a fun cover letter and get a job with it.

Some people may say that I’m crazy for quitting my real estate job and going to culinary school, but those people have never tasted my signature pasta alla vodka. My unique career journey positions me perfectly to manage ABC Restaurant as they franchise and expand, while keeping the quality of service consistent.

As the recipient of the American Financial Technology “Most Cutting-Edge IT Initiative” award, I’m always ready to bring my best, most creative ideas to whatever IT project I’m tackling. I’m committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and bringing that knowledge and expertise to share with all of my colleagues when we tackle projects.

When I noticed that ABC Company donates 10% of its profits to the ASPCA, I knew that I had to apply for this position. I care deeply about animal welfare causes and even spend my free time volunteering with the ASPCA. Being able to work at an organization that gives back to a group I support while allowing me to grow professionally is an opportunity that I cannot pass up.

As an accountant , I believe that everyone should know how to manage their finances responsibly. I do not just analyze and watch over my clients’ finances, but teach them how to be financially responsible so they can make informed decisions about their money.

When I was a kid, I lived at the movie theater. I would always see new movies as soon as they came out and kept going back to see everything again. Since then, I’ve worked to fit my love of movies and skill as a writer to find a career in media journalism. This position writing for the culture section of XYZ Magazine is the perfect opportunity for me to contribute to an iconic publication while bringing my personal passions into my professional life.

You’re looking for a social media savvy content marketer ? Look no further, I’m right here. I have grown Instagram accounts by 5000+ followers, created dedicated TikTok audiences, and ran Facebook ads with 200% ROI in the last year alone and I’m excited to beat those stats with ABC Company.

Thanks to my former colleague, Jane Doe, I heard of an opening for a PR Director at your company and was immediately intrigued. Jane has nothing but great things to say about your company and once I saw the job description, I knew it would be a perfect fit.

I have been constantly refreshing XYZ Company’s careers page since I found out about their mission to support local nonprofits with innovative tech. When I finally saw a job posting that happened to be in my industry, I applied immediately. I admire XYZ’s mission and I believe my enthusiasm for web development and your mission will make me the perfect fit for the Full Stack Developer position.

If you’ve seen my resume , you know that I’m not exactly qualified for the business analyst position. But what you can’t see from my resume is my dedication to teaching myself the ins and outs of the industry in my spare time or the endless networking I’ve done to understand the role of a business analyst . Here’s why I’m uniquely positioned to wow you as your newest business analyst.

I believe that every business has a valuable service to provide, it’s just about finding the perfect audience for it. As a marketer , I love tackling the “hard to sell” businesses and flipping around their branding and messaging until they’re profitable.

What should a creative cover letter include?

A creative cover letter should include a standard heading but a unique body paragraph. A standard header is important for professionalism, but the body of the letter should be an interesting way of introducing your skills and accomplishments.

How do I make my cover letter unique?

You can make your cover letter unique by adding relevant personal touches. For example, telling a brief story about how and why you left your real-estate job to pursue culinary school can speak to your passion and willingness to learn.

Plus, such an opening is unexpected and clever. What restaurant would expect you to talk about real estate? But, that makes you a more unique and memorable candidate.

How do you end a creative cover letter?

The best way to end your creative cover letter is through charming confidence. Briefly summarize why you’re the best candidate for the job, and thank the employer for their time.

Are creative cover letters effective?

Yes, creative cover letters are effective. For example, up to 83% of hiring managers say that a great cover letter could convince them to schedule an interview with an applicant.

And a creative cover letter makes you even more memorable, which will make it far easier to land an interview.

Should you have a creative cover letter for a creative industry?

It isn’t required that your cover letter be creative if you’re applying for a creative job, but that’s where a creative cover letter is most likely to be effective. It’s important to consider the company culture before deciding what kind of cover letter to write. There are many businesses that have creative jobs — like graphic design — that aren’t inherently creative industries.

Harvard Business Review — How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

Inc. Magazine — 11 Secrets to Writing the Perfect Cover Letter

Harvard University — Resumes and Cover Letters

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Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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Creative Writer Cover Letter Examples

Use these Creative Writer cover letter examples to help you write a powerful cover letter that will separate you from the competition.

Creative writers are responsible for developing and writing content for a variety of media, including books, magazines, websites, and advertising. They need to be able to come up with new and interesting ideas, and they must be able to write in a variety of styles.

When you’re applying for a creative writer position, your cover letter is a great opportunity to show off your skills and experience. Use these examples to write a creative writer cover letter that stands out from the competition.

Formal/Professional Writing Style Example

With a strong passion for storytelling and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, I am confident in my ability to excel as a Creative Writer for your company. My educational background and experience in various writing fields have equipped me with the skills necessary to produce captivating content that will resonate with your target audience.

During my time at XYZ University, I have not only honed my writing skills but have also developed a deep understanding of various writing styles, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. This comprehensive knowledge base allows me to adapt to different projects and deliver high-quality work that meets the expectations of both clients and readers.

In my previous roles as a freelance writer and content creator, I have successfully managed projects for a diverse range of clients, from blogging and social media content to copywriting and technical writing. I am experienced in conducting thorough research and transforming complex ideas into easily digestible and engaging content. My ability to meet tight deadlines, maintain consistency in brand voice, and collaborate effectively with team members has been recognized and praised by previous employers.

I am confident that my strong work ethic and meticulous attention to detail will prove to be an asset to your company. I am eager to contribute my creativity and passion for writing to help propel your brand to new heights. Thank you for considering my application for the Creative Writer position at your company. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further during an interview.

[Your Name]

Entry-Level Writing Style Example

As a recent graduate from the University of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, I am eager to utilize my passion for storytelling and skillful writing to contribute to your organization.

During my time at university, I developed a strong foundation in various writing styles, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. My coursework also provided me with valuable knowledge in editing and proofreading, as well as the necessary research skills to create captivating and accurate content. I was also fortunate to have my short story, “A Journey Through Time,” published in our department’s annual literary journal.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I immersed myself in the world of literature by attending workshops, readings, and book signings to further develop my writing techniques and expand my network within the creative writing community. Additionally, I served as a content writer for our student magazine, crafting engaging articles with a focus on the arts and student life experiences.

I am confident that my educational background, writing experience, and love of storytelling will make me an excellent fit for the Creative Writer position at your esteemed company. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my unique voice and fresh perspective to your team, and I look forward to meeting you in person during an interview to further discuss my qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Networking/Referral Writing Style Example

I was referred to this opportunity by my great friend and former colleague, Jane Smith, who currently works as an Editor in your team. Jane and I had the pleasure of working together at XYZ Publishing, where we co-authored numerous articles and consistently met strict deadlines. Our collaborative strengths and shared passion for creating compelling content make me certain that I would be a great fit for your team.

As a dedicated creative writer with over five years of experience in the publishing industry, I pride myself on my ability to craft engaging narratives tailored to a diverse range of audiences. My extensive portfolio includes published short stories, blogs, articles, and social media content. At the heart of my writing style lies a deep understanding of storytelling techniques and a commitment to producing captivating original pieces.

Apart from my creative writing skills, Jane can attest to my strong work ethic, adaptability, and enthusiasm for collaborative projects. I am dedicated to delivering high-quality content and meeting deadlines, and to continuously improving and expanding upon my writing abilities.

Thank you for considering my application. I am highly enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team and contributing to the incredible body of work your organization produces. I would be thrilled to discuss any openings further, and I hope that my connection with Jane demonstrates my suitability for the role.

Enthusiastic/Passionate Writing Style Example

As a lifelong lover of the written word, story-weaving has been entrenched in my identity for as long as I can remember. When I saw the opportunity to join your team as a Creative Writer, my heart raced with excitement, and I knew that this is where my aspirations and talents would truly come alive.

Your organization is renowned for creating compelling, thought-provoking content that leaves a lasting impression on its audience. The opportunity to play a significant role in crafting such impactful narratives is the very fuel that drives my passion for writing. I am confident that my fervor for storytelling, coupled with my strong writing abilities, would be an invaluable asset to your dynamic team.

Having honed my writing skills through years of creating captivating content, I am eager to embark on this new creative adventure. My dedication to innovatively crafting and refining stories knows no bounds. I truly believe in the power of the written word to transform perspectives, evoke emotions, and connect people on a profound level. It would be an incredible gift to contribute to that magic in my role as a Creative Writer at your organization.

In closing, I want to reiterate how thrilled I am by the prospect of joining your esteemed team. I strongly believe in the potential of our combined creative forces to produce extraordinary content that resonates with readers everywhere. Thank you for your time and consideration. I cannot wait to discuss how my passion and skills can further propel your company to even greater heights.

Problem-Solving Writing Style Example

As a dedicated writer with a genuine passion for storytelling, I believe that my innovative mindset, diverse skillset, and proven track record of creating compelling content make me the ideal candidate to contribute to the continued success and growth of your organization.

Having conducted thorough research on your company and recent projects, I recognize that increasing audience engagement and brand awareness is a challenge frequently faced in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. My background in content creation, combined with my expertise in SEO, social media marketing, and data-driven analytics, has prepared me to tackle this challenge head-on.

In my previous role at XYZ Digital, I was responsible for ideating and developing fresh, relevant, and engaging content for an array of platforms. By utilizing effective marketing strategies and adapting content based on audience preferences, I significantly increased web traffic, conversion rates, and organic search rankings for our clients. Beyond my technical skills, my degree in Communications and experience in journalism have honed my ability to craft thought-provoking articles that captivate readers and inspire discussion.

Moreover, I have a deep understanding of various content types, from blog posts and social media copy to long-form articles and even fiction. My extensive portfolio showcases my adaptability and ability to produce content that resonates with diverse target audiences. This versatility will enable me to bring a unique and creative perspective to your organization, while consistently delivering high-quality content that meets your brand’s objectives.

I am eager to contribute my passion, creativity, and expertise to your team and help drive continued success for your organization. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my suitability for the position further.

Storytelling/Narrative Writing Style Example

As I sat at my favorite coffee shop, scribbling away in my notebook, I felt a sudden jolt of inspiration. The characters I had been developing for months finally found their voices and their stories began to unfold in front of me. I knew then that creative writing was not just a hobby, but a true passion that had been simmering inside me for years. I believe that this profound love for storytelling has prepared me to excel as a Creative Writer at your esteemed organization.

Over the years, I have honed my skills through various writing workshops, online courses, and by devouring any book on writing I could get my hands on. I have worked on numerous projects, ranging from short stories and blog posts to full-length novels. My dedication to the craft has allowed me to develop my own unique voice as a writer, which I am eager to bring to your team.

In my previous role as a freelance writer, I collaborated with clients to create engaging content that resonated with their target audience. My ability to adapt my writing style to suit different genres and voices has earned me praise from clients and colleagues alike. I am confident that my experience and versatility will make me an invaluable asset to your organization.

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my creativity and passion for storytelling to your team. I believe that my unique perspective and dedication to the craft will bring a fresh and dynamic voice to your organization, and I am eager to discuss how my skills can contribute to your success.

Thank you for considering my application.

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