When was the last time you received a personal letter?
A tiny shift from newsletter to a simple letter - a minor rebellion against algorithms
Perhaps because I am feeling a bit under the weather or because it’s the middle of the year, I feel like shaking things up a bit, doing something different. Like changing the way I communicate with my readers.
When I first launched my website, I began sending out a biweekly newsletter where I began sharing my writing updates as I drafted my memoir, Rewriting My Happily Ever After which was published in October 2021.
About a year ago, I scaled back my website newsletter to a monthly format, intending to write more often and explore platforms like Substack where I launched The Coherent Writer. My intentions were good - I wanted to write about some specific topics and attract readers who wanted to read about it. After all, everyone has limited time and attention span.
Yet, now, in the middle of 2023, I feel the need to communicate more deeply instead of just posting a monthly update to all of you. I remember the old days when letters were handwritten and mailed with postage stamps, little surprise envelopes would wait for you when you returned home. The news was not always up to date and the writing was sometimes hard to decipher. But it was always personal.
You got more from a postcard than what we get from text messages these days. The handwriting, the stories and sentiments contained in those letters spoke of what is foremost on the mind of the letter writer. It was truly a snapshot of thoughts that were curated to fit into a blue inland letter or an aerogramme or pages that were stuffed into envelopes, sometimes with a card or mostly, just by themselves.
I have a bag of letters that are reminders of the communication I shared with my parents in the early years of my life in the US as a young woman. When my parents passed on, my siblings and I segregated, sold, or gave away many of their possessions but this stack of letters remains with me even today. I don’t go through them often but they are a tangible reminder of their presence.
Letters don’t have to contain pearls of wisdom (or cash).
Handwritten letters are valuable for what they represent - that you are important, that someone wants to share something valuable with you - their time, their thoughts.
I love getting letters - though it’s not very often, and always via email these days.
For me to receive letters, I need to write them first. So here it is.
My first ‘letter’ to you.
Yes, it’s via email. But it will no longer be a ‘newsletter’. It will be a conversational exchange of what’s happening at this time in my life. I say ‘conversational exchange’ because I would genuinely like it to be a two-way endeavor.
I will write a monthly letter to you, which will arrive in your inbox around the middle of each month. In it I will share parts of my life that are not always featured in my other writing - simple observations, daily practices, random reflections. You can choose to reply anytime after that - a short paragraph, a long rant or just a cryptic line will do. And I will reply to it. I promise!
I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m switching to this new way of communication. It is my minor rebellion against algorithms.
I want to go small - have deeper, more meaningful interactions with a handful of people instead of claiming thousands of followers.
Scaling down has its advantages. I don’t have to spread myself thin. I can be fully present. So can you. We can really get to know each other.
So what do you think? Would you like to get on board with this new experiment which is completely FREE!?
If yes, please signup for my website newsletter: https://www.ranjanirao.com/newsletter-signup/
Of course, I will share what I’m reading or writing or doing or trying. I will share triumphs, trials, travels and plans, many which may or may not materialise. You can share what matters to you.
If you prefer to read my articles right here on Substack, you don’t need to signup for anything new. I will continue to publish articles here but the personal letter, that is only for my website subscribers. It will be about once a month and it will be a tiny ray of sunshine in your inbox.
Whatever you choose is fine, as long as we can stay in touch.
Have wonderful weekend!