Writers: Embrace failure.

Photo courtesy of Gratisography

When I came across a page online with the same message, I immediately thought about us writers. (I’ve probably even used the image before.)

I explored the topic more deeply here, including a link to Enjoying the Fun of Failure.

A page of Goodwill Words

Just thought I’d compile a few of the words I’ve been putting down.

Seems to be more inspiring work than simply writing for myself.

Hope it nudges a few writers forward to give it a try.

I’ll be adding more to the gallery.

My three favorite destinations so far:

More Love Letters

Love for Our Elders

Letters to Strangers

Goodwill words: A reminder to stay young and try something new.


Sometimes my notes to elders turn into mini-pep talks and reminders we still have control over how are days are spent.

It’s quotes like today’s that help move the message forward. So if/when I’m at a loss for words, there is always a quote or a calendar page or a photo from my camera roll to add impact and/or insight that I generally lack.


A plug for Love for Our Elders.
Tagline: We’re fighting loneliness with love, one letter at a time.

Am hoping the card spurs a little interest and action.

image by John Hain/Pixabay

Thanks for visiting. I always appreciate the folks who press the ‘Like’ button to let me know the post arrived safely.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Goodwill words: Laughing at imperfection.


Using another calendar page to spice things up for another ‘elder’.

Nothing like human foibles to evoke a laugh or two.


A plug for Love for Our Elders.
Tagline: We’re fighting loneliness with love, one letter at a time.

Just a reminder: This is not a ‘see what I did? You should too! project. This is me following Austin Kleon’s suggestion to ‘share something small…’.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay 

Thanks for visiting.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Goodwill words: Hoping this recipient wasn’t in retail.

Nothing like my own design ineptitude
to play into the note’s featured image…

One of the other challenges to writing to an unnamed ‘other person’ is the possibility of offending someone.

But in the end, I shrug and have faith the note reaches someone who might a) find the humor b) have pity on me…as a human, a writer, a delusional who hopes to amuse.


A plug for Love for Our Elders.
Tagline: We’re fighting loneliness with love, one letter at a time.

Am hoping the card spurs a little interest and action.

image by John Hain/Pixabay

Thanks for visiting. I always appreciate the folks who press the ‘Like’ button to let me know the post arrived safely.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Goodwill words: Sending hope to a mom facing changes and challenges

This deserving person has experienced a string of bad luck over the years.

A reminder to me: It’s always nice to see that, by sending in a request to More Love Letters, someone is leading the charge to help these letters’ recipients.

Another lesson: There is always a quote available to kickstart any note or letter I’m writing. Yet another: I have fun trying to lighten things up a bit. One of my daily calendars usually comes through…


A few other notes from recent months…1. 2. 3.

Thanks for visiting. I always appreciate the folks who press the ‘Like’ button to let me know the post arrived in legible and at least semi-comprehensible condition.

And a reminder…these notes are just to serve as a nudge forward for those inclined to do something similar to the Goodwill Words Project.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Goodwill words: Another note for *Love for Our Elders*


It’s sometimes a challenge to come up with something different and/or tailored to an unnamed recipient. Love for Our Elders handles the distribution.

So I try to use different sparks or starting points for my messages. Daily calendar pages such as this one are a big help.


And a little plug for Love for Our Elders.
Tagline: We’re fighting loneliness with love, one letter at a time.

Am hoping the card spurs a little interest and action.

Image by Clark Tibbs–Unsplash

Thanks for visiting. I always appreciate the folks who press the ‘Like’ button to let me know the post arrived safely.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Goodwill words: Checking in with a long-time friend

Buddy’s tech skills have come under some household scrutiny of late…
Yes, it’s a mess. The curse of being a lefty doesn’t help.
And forgetting that fact doesn’t help either.

A reminder from this latest foray: Aaaah, the power of imperfectionism. On clear display here. “It’s the thought that counts” could never be more applicable.

But this friend had recently lost her partner of 50+ years and I wanted to follow up our phone visit with something in the mail. Plus, she–an SPCA volunteer and greyhound rescuer–loves dogs. Not sure what she thinks of left-handers, however…

Another reminder: Dog images just plain work for me. And our pets have to earn their keep somehow, right?

Yet another reminder…4 x 6 photos double as postcards quite nicely. [though I’m generally too lazy to dig for a postcard stamp, so I end up slapping on a first-class and get it sent!]


Am hoping the card spurs a little interest and action.


Thanks for visiting. I always appreciate the folks who press the ‘Like’ button to let me know the post arrived safely.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Goodwill words: A little boost for a very responsible 20-year-old


Lesson from this latest letter: There are plenty of folks out there needing support who may not show any signs of struggling.

Another lesson: Red paper and blue ink…not a great contrast for reading off a screen.


Note: Explanation for the amateurish patches of approximated color…

I try to omit the recipient’s name in these posts, even though the More Love Letters website includes them in the Letter Requests section.

Hoping the words count for something.


Thanks for visiting. I always appreciate the folks who press the ‘Like’ button to let me know the post arrived safely.

I am always happy to steer you to letter-writing destinations and resources on the Web. Just let me know what you need.

Curation Corner: Time for some advice…or not.

Image by Michael Arwin Urban from Pixabay

So, let me give you a little advice… ;-|

5 Pieces of Common Writing Advice You Should Absolutely Ignore

A few comments:

Some folks have written complete books on item #1.

Sometimes that longer word just does the work much more effectively.

We’ve all heard about that ‘filthy first draft’ [I prefer the alliterative version.]. But knowing there is a massive clean-up operation ahead often steers me anywhere but there.

The best piece of advice came at the end: “use the wisdom that works for you and discard the rest.”

Keep putting words on the page! Unless, of course, it’s one of your off-days. Or you don’t feel like ‘showing, not telling’. Or you prefer to simply ‘not edit” period/ever/I’ll smack anyone who suggests it!’ vs. ‘edit-as-you-go to’!

There now, wasn’t that helpful?