Appropriate Prose Style for a Personal Letter

Question

Sometimes I write my mother a letter, attempting a lyrical prose style, (although I often fail at it, due to rushing to send it and not double checking what I wrote), but after I send it, she complains that I'm not using the right style for a personal letter.

So my question is, if I want to write a personal letter to someone, as long as the letter is of a kind nature, does it matter what style I write it in, as long as it uses modern English, and as long as the recipient can understand it? Another question I have, which is related is: Have any writers in the past two centuries written personal letters in a lyrical prose style?

Answer 1

What kind of style is appropriate for a personal letter is between the sender and the recipient.

On the rare occasions that I still write anything resembling a personal letter, I usually do so in an informal style, but that isn't saying that a different approach is wrong. I do think, though, that one should be considerate of the person one is writing to.

If your mother objects to your chosen style, I'd suggest asking her what in particular her issue with it is. For instance, it might come across as insincere to her if your letters are so highly stylised. Try to find a mutual understanding and agreement.

A personal letter isn't a work of art for an audience. It's a means of communication between two people.