"Dear Anna, how are you? I am fine." Most letters start this way, and most readers' eyes slide right past it. It's polite, but it says nothing.
The first line of a letter is like the first moment of a conversation across a café table. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Here are thirty ways to begin that make someone want to keep reading.
Start in a place
1. "I'm writing this at the kitchen table, and the light is doing that thing you love." 2. "There's a pigeon on my balcony staring at me as I write this." 3. "I'm on a train, and this letter will probably be a little shaky." 4. "It's raining so hard that I gave up on going out and decided to write to you instead." 5. "I'm sitting in the café where we always ordered too much cake."
Start with them
6. "I thought of you three times today, and I need to tell you why." 7. "Your last letter is still on my desk. I've read it four times." 8. "I saw something this morning that was so completely you." 9. "I have a question only you can answer." 10. "You'd have laughed at what happened to me on Tuesday."
Start in the middle
11. "So, the cake collapsed." 12. "I have finally finished that book, and I have opinions." 13. "Guess who I ran into at the market." 14. "Something small and wonderful happened." 15. "I have news, but first, the weather."
Start with a feeling
16. "I miss you in a very specific way today." 17. "I'm in a strangely good mood, and I wanted to share it." 18. "This week has been heavy, and writing to you feels like opening a window." 19. "I don't have news. I just wanted to be near you for a few minutes." 20. "I've been carrying something I want to tell you."
Start with the senses
21. "The whole street smells of roasted chestnuts." 22. "I'm listening to the song we played on repeat that summer." 23. "My hands are cold, so forgive the handwriting." 24. "The first leaves have turned yellow outside my window." 25. "I'm drinking tea from the mug you gave me."
Start with a little mystery
26. "I have three things to tell you, and the last one is the best." 27. "Don't read this standing up." 28. "Before you read this, make yourself a coffee." 29. "This letter has been in my head for weeks." 30. "I've started this letter six times."
Then keep going
Once the first line is written, the rest flows more easily. Write as you'd talk, follow your thoughts, and end with something just for them.
Remember the feeling of receiving one
The First Letter is a short sensory meditation on receiving a letter, free to read or listen to, with a sample of my magazine, "(meditating) On Art". It's a lovely way to remember why the first line matters.
Remember to take as much time as you need, and meet me at the next one.
Love, Evi