Write Fast: Dear [fill in the blank]

Dear World – Step 2

Next up, write an open letter about something that angers or pleases you.

For this draft, choose one of the love/hate items you listed in Step 1. Caring about something can range from love to hate – and everything in between. Determining what you feel will establish your overall tone. You may want to call out an injustice, but you’re also free to write humorously about something silly.

For your open letter, include an opening salutation and a closing signature. If you’re not sure how to proceed, see the box below.

Think about your intended audience, but remember this is a rough draft. For now, write it fast, putting the draft into your Process Notebook.

Suggested Time for Activity: 15 minutes

Suggested Length: 150 words

Write a short open letter addressed to a particular person or group. Write as much as you can in the time limit, but keep going if you like.

Q. Can my open letter be longer than the target length?

Keep it under 300 words.

Yes, but try to keep it under 300 words (about one print manuscript page). The point is to write this first draft quickly, getting your feelings down without overthinking it.

Q. How do I figure out the letter’s tone?

Your tone will emerge through the writing, but it may take several drafts. Open letters are most effective when their personal tone connects with an audience. By the same token, the way most of us jot down our rage or pain in private journal entries (for instance) is rarely convincing in a public venue.

Your tone will emerge, but it may take several drafts.

This “Write Fast” activity will nudge you to get down your raw feelings about a topic, especially if it truly angers or offends you. But remember: a rough draft is part of the writing process, and in formulating your opinions, your first draft may be very rough. That’s okay. Once you’ve generated a first draft, you can decide how angry, sad, or sarcastic you need to be in order to engage readers.

Q. Whom should I direct an open letter to?

There are many ways to address an open letter, depending on the topic. You can direct it to someone else you know personally, as James Baldwin and other well-known writers have. This is emotionally engaging, especially if you’re offering advice or encouragement to the younger generation. Whether you address them by name or relationship (“Dear Nick” or “Dear beloved son”) is up to you.

The person or group you address depends on the topic.

You can also address a letter to somebody you don’t know, such as a politician, celebrity, or other newsmaker. This approach works well if a famous person has done something to anger you or that’s praiseworthy. At Talking Writing, we devoted an “Open Letters” issue in 2016 to pieces addressed to everyone from Edward Snowden to Taylor Swift to Rupert Murdoch.^[1]

You might address a group or category, such as “Dear White Feminists” or “Dear Apple Music” or “To Everyone Who Talks at the Top of Their Voice on Cell Phones in Public.” This form of address can apply to serious topics or pet peeves. My only caveat: make sure your open letter is personally driven rather than a third-person public statement in which you ask others to sign on.^[2]

The box below provides one basic formula for writing an open letter in three paragraphs and a few possibilities for people (or groups) to address.