Heartspoken: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire is an inspiring book that shares with readers the value of handwritten notes and the history behind written communication. Why was this an important book for you to write? 

While I have always believed in writing notes and considered that practice to be good manners, there was a moment in time when I realized suddenly that writing notes from the heart could have far more impact than just being good manners. It was when I received a letter from a stranger… A woman whose son had recently committed suicide. I did not know this woman or her son, but I knew her son‘s fiancé and had written her a sympathy note expressing my deep sadness over her loss. The young woman I had written to sent my letter to her fiancé‘s mother. The mother told me she had read it over 25 times and it had helped her get through the worst time of her life. I truly do not even remember what I said, but I realized at that time that writing a Heartspoken note can have a great impact as well as a ripple effect.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Perhaps the most important idea I hoped to convey in this book was that every person has inside them their own voice for writing heartspoken messages. So many people expressed to me their lack of confidence in knowing what to say and their fear of saying the wrong thing, but I hope I made the case in my book for this being an on grounded concern. The irony is that people rarely remember exactly what you said. What they will remember is that you reached out to them with kindness and caring.

Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?

I was fascinated to learn that the earliest known examples of note writing from thousands of years ago were primarily for the purposes of recordkeeping. It was not until about 500 BC that historians and archaeologists have found evidence of note writing as personal correspondence. The practice did not become very widespread beyond royalty and clergy until the 18th century when paper became more affordable.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will that be published?

I am focusing on getting this book in front of readers now, but I am working on a 40-day devotional and possibly a sequel to this book about note writing for corporate and nonprofit professionals. I write regularly for my blog Heartspoken.com.

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