From Me to You: The Reluctant Writer's Guide to Powerful, Personal Messages [Paperback]

JacLynn Morris (Author), Paul L. Fair (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

This is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to write sincere personal letters, but struggles with getting the words on paper in a way that truly reflects how they feel. Mixing friendly instruction with model letters, From Me to You gently guides reluctant writers to accurately express their sentiments in letters of love, gratitude, sympathy, forgiveness, apology and comfort. The authors offer direct, step-by-step instruction on how to compose each type of letter, from using four key elements and first draft notes to revising for clarity and focus. With every lesson, readers will find personal, real-life stories that inspire them to reach deeply into their own feelings and muster the courage to write letters involving a certain level of emotional risk.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Few books deliver what they promise; this one does...more. I especially like the chapters on letters of comfort and condolence." -- Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People

"Morris and Fair make a significant contribution to the power of caring between people. I highly, highly recommend [this book]." -- Terry Kay, author of To Dance with the White Dog and Taking Lottie Home

"This book teaches the reader how to deliver a message with eloquence and meaning." -- Alexis Abramson, NBC Today Show Expert Guest and Founder & CEO of MatureSmart, Inc.

About the Author

JacLynn Morris is a freelance writer and marketing consultant who has written on a diversity of topics ranging from child abuse to fundraising. Paul Fair, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in stress disorders, individuals and couples' therapy. He has published several articles in professional journals and written chapters in numerous clinical textbooks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Walking Stick Press; 1st edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582970041
• ISBN-13: 978-1582970042
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oprah Should Pick This Book!, December 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: From Me to You: The Reluctant Writer's Guide to Powerful, Personal Messages (Paperback)

Finally: a how-to book that's fun to read. I won't lend anyone my copy of FROM ME TO YOU because I can't part with this book. It entertained, touched and helped me in more ways than any book I've ever read. Want to do something wonderful for yourself and the people you love? Read FROM ME TO YOU!

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Connecting with Correspondence, January 14, 2002

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Me to You: The Reluctant Writer's Guide to Powerful, Personal Messages (Paperback)

There are times when conversation cannot convey your deepest feelings. You can hide your true feelings when talking to someone you care about. Written words can be gifts of the heart and the way you present them can make all the difference. The fact that you take the time to find a concrete way of expressing your feelings is what matters!

You might be reluctant to send an e-mail or put pen to paper, however if you follow the steps in this book you will find it is easier than you think. The authors give examples of letters for every situation. These letters go beyond "polite" words and are more honest and genuine. They express goodwill or reveal deep feelings. They also communicate the importance and value of your relationship to the receiver.

"Often, just the fact that a person puts time, effort, thought or originality into something to delight or help us makes a message wonderful." pg. 9

The authors show how you use five basic elements to make a message powerful, intimate, satisfying and meaningful. It doesn't matte if you want to express your feelings, give advice, forgive, answer important questions, thank someone or share a favorite memory. These five elements should be included in your letter.

While this book might sound like it is an emotional roller coaster ride, there are quite a few really funny letters. I loved the story of a mother who writes down the sweet and funny things her children do. She intends to give these memories to her children. I know this was such a delight when my mother showed me her notes of what I said and did when I was very young. It truly will delight any child to know their parents cared enough to find the time to write down these memories. It also helps children remember important details of their lives.

Another idea I really thought was wonderful was a letter an Aunt sent her nephew about all the wonderful books she had read that she thought he would enjoy. Of course she could have just reviewed them, yet she chose to specifically recommend books that had given her enjoyment, knowledge and comfort.

Some of the letters helped bridge the distance between friends and family or helped to heal a hurt. These are real letters people wrote at a time in their lives when hurt, anger or misunderstanding left them feeling as if they were stuck on opposite sides of a tightly closed door.

"Maybe the blur of our lives has left us hungry for tangible ways to hold onto what is and was-even as we move toward what will be." pg. 150

So if you want to connect with the people you care most about, "From Me to You" will show you how to share your memories, thank people who have helped you in life, apologize to those you may have hurt, inspire friends and invite people to think of you with love and a smile.

~The Rebecca Review

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book That Makes A Difference and A wonderful one at that, April 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: From Me to You: The Reluctant Writer's Guide to Powerful, Personal Messages (Paperback)

You can read all kinds of self help and advice books without ever getting as much as you will from this one book. Written by a man and a woman who seem to have great understanding about people and their feelings, From Me To You is a joy to read.

It is filled with easy to understand suggestions that I've followed with amazing results. I shy away from saying affectionate things sometimes, but I think them to myself. Then along comes the book, From Me To You, and it helped me to write and send messages to the people who mean so much to me.

And look at me now , I'm even writing this review from my heart to you, someone I don't even know.

From Me To You is a book that made a wonderful difference in my life and I hope you'll get it and allow it to change your life too.