Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion [Hardcover]

Sandra E. Lamb (Author), Sandra Lamb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0312304188 | ISBN-13: 978-0312304188 | Edition: 1st

Do you dread writing notes to say “Thank you,” “I’m sorry,” or “Congratulations”?

When’s the last time you sent a handwritten letter to a faraway friend, just to catch up?

What should you write to a grieving friend or colleague? How do you let friends know you’re getting a divorce?

As our lives get busier and faster-paced, the old-fashioned art of personal correspondence is becoming sadly lost. In this upbeat, wise, and witty guide, journalist and lifestyle expert Sandra Lamb offers a wealth of advice, inspiration, and examples for anyone who wants to add flair, voice, and plain old fun to their letters and notes—as well as anyone who wants to know the etiquette of when and what to write. Using colorful examples and practical advice, the book covers thank yous, congratulations, engagements and weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, births and adoptions, appreciation, love notes, illness and accidents, divorce, condolence, regrets, apologies, and forgiveness.

This delightful, indispensable guide helps us rediscover the joy of connecting with others through the simple act of putting pen to paper.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lamb, who previously offered guidance in How to Write It: A Complete Guide to Everything You'll Ever Write, now addresses a particular gap in many people's writing capabilities: the social note required for so many life passages and important occasions. Ironically, she says, our world of instant communications actually leaves us feeling isolated, and a personal note can remedy that by helping to create a sense of connection. Offering concrete tips and sample notes for all occasions, both happy and somber (thank yous, birthdays, births and adoptions, deaths), Lamb also explains the meanings of possibly unfamiliar holidays and religious rituals to aid in the writing of appropriate messages. Anyone wishing to regain the lost art of the personal note in the age of email will find Lamb's guide a helpful resource.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Sandra Lamb's book reinforces the principles of etiquette, reminding us that writing personal notes is a vital way of sharing appreciation and respect with others. Handwritten correspondence is an art form that is far from lost."
--Peggy Post, etiquette expert and author

"It happens to us all: Our minds go blank and our pens float uselessly above the white space when that sympathy or 'congratulations' card comes 'round to us at work, or we have to send out a thank-you note for a gift that didn't float our boats. Never fear: Sandra E. Lamb has some good advice for dealing with such situations in Personal Notes. One good recommendation: Don't be dishonest, but do couch your truth-telling in good old-fashioned tack."
-- John Mark Eberhart, The Kansas City Star

"Know your own heart, open it, and share it honestly with those in your life. These are the secrets to rich and rewarding relationships. Lamb, in Personal Notes..., offers the keys to doing these things well."
--John Gray, Ph.D.author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (May 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312304188
• ISBN-13: 978-0312304188
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I started professional life as a technical writer and quickly learned that the ability to effectively communicate--and on deadline--is not related to genius. Many of the engineers I worked with were brilliant, but struggled when it came to expressing in writing what they knew. The same is true, I quickly found, in all levels of management.

I determined that a book that gives some simple answers, and lots of examples, would help with this sort of common "writer's block;" and for everyone it would serve to save lots and lots of time for all those writing tasks--business and personal--they faced. That was my motivation for writing How to Write It. And in refining that motivation and making it even more all-inclusive, I wrote a second edition, and now How to Write It Third Edition.

Along the way, I've written Personal Notes, then Write the Right Words, too, because I wanted to give voice to that mysterious element of self-discovery, reflection, and connecting that's possible--to both the writer and the recipient--through this very intimate way of communicating.

I've honed my own writing skills working as a journalist, a marketing and PR expert, CEO, friend, and relative in those daily demands of each. I often write and speak on matters of career, relationships, writing, lifestyle, and etiquette. For more information, please visit, www.SandraLamb.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Tool for Any Desk, January 9, 2005

By 

Bonnie Neely - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion (Hardcover)

Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion by Sandra E. Lambhad thought many times of writing a book on how to write personal notes, a nearly lost social art-form; however, I'm glad I never got around to it because I could not have written the book nearly so insightfully as Sandra. She combines the "how to's" of polite and pertinent note writing with wisdom of the spirit and heart of both the sender and receiver of the notes. Not only does she guide you in how to write notes, she also guides you in the psychology and empathy required to write from your heart. You'll learn how to put yourself in another's shoes in order to know how and when to reach out witrh a note. A very helpful and knowledgeable book for every home, a great tool for teachers and parents, and important skills for business and interpersonal relationships. This would be an excellent graduation or wedding shower gift. Personal Notes is really worth having

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Solace, April 27, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion (Hardcover)

Using the easy steps the author outlines in this lovely book, I was able to offer solace to a friend who'd just lost her job; and to another who'd just lost her partner of many years; and to still another who'd just learned she was receiving a reward she'd worked for for many years. It wasn't that I was "borrowing" the author's words; she helped me get immediately in touch with my own. And, I've never felt I expressed myself better and in a way that was more helpful to another soul!

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Civility, April 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Personal Notes: How to Write from the Heart for Any Occasion (Hardcover)

How refreshing to see such wonderful notes for all sorts of special occasions. I especially love Lamb's suggestions for ways to build traditions, and her ideas for enriching our lives by creating warm and loving bonds with family and friends. Here, too, is the best advice I've ever seen on real ways to repair relationships that have been fractured by harsh words and resulting grudges. Buy it, and embrace it, and cultivate a return to civility!