In this day and age, a bit of good old fashioned romance goes a long way. Forget text messages, e-cards and Hallmark, if you really want to impress your lover, write a proper letter. 

Image: Fractured Fairytale

There’s nothing better than receiving a hand written envelope filled with devotion amidst bills and junk mail in your morning’s post, or reading about how terribly splendid you are as you munch your cornflakes. Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a bit of personal effort!

Famous writers throughout history have seduced and flattered by committing their feelings to paper. Here are some of the best love letter writers and their words to get you inspired.

Long Distance- Lewis Carroll

Writer of Alice in Wonderland, Carroll’s way with words extended to his long distance relationship with his beloved Gertrude. In his most famous letter, he sends his lover a box of all the kisses he wants to give her. How very sweet! Cheap present, too…

For the Girl Next Door- John Keats

Romantic poet and subject of the acclaimed film Bright Star, Keats is surely one of the best qualified contenders for the ‘most romantic chap ever’ award. His prolific love letters to next door neighbour, Fanny Brawn, have captured the imagination of people all over the world with their doting words of affection and poetic phrases.

Forbidden Love- Ludwig von Beethoven

After the composer’s death, three mysterious love letters were found in his desk drawer.  Scholars have since determined that his ‘immortal beloved’ was a one Antoine Brantano, who was a married woman.

The Artists Way- Frida Kahlo

Image: Libby Rosof

For those with an artistic temperament, lessons can be learnt from the Mexican painter Frida Khalo, whose extraordinary life has captured the imagination of many in the film starring Salma Hayek.

Her rollercoaster marriage to renowned Mexican mural artists Diego Rivera was full of pain, torment and loss, just as you would expect from a love affair between two artists!

Frida was also well known to have sketched various doodles for her husband.

Write On, Lovers!

So, what are you waiting for? Dig out your inkwell and quill, your finest paper and your romantic imagination. Girls, how about a lipstick kiss and a spray of perfume?

Find an address for your loved one and send them a doting surprise in the post. Received any beautifully romantic letters in your life? Share the most beautiful lines with us below.

Citations:

• ‘I have packed them all in very carefully. Tell me if they come safe or if any are lost along the way.’
• ‘I almost wish we were butterflies and lived but three summer days- three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could contain.’
• ‘Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us- I can live only wholly with you or not at all.’

About The Author: Elise Lévêque is a bubbly French-English translator and lucky bride-to-be who left her beloved Paris after falling for the quirkiness of Great Britain… and a Geordie lad! Always full of beans, she’s utterly addicted to writing and romance, currently blogging for White Pages.