How to Write a Good Angry Letter
Spoiler alert: Filling it with expletives isn’t the answer
When I was in high school, I got an angry letter from a friend. It wasn’t just a rant and rave, though — it was full of pointed, jealous criticism of my character. I was too confident, I had too much self-esteem . . . You get the picture.
The letter continued for a few pages and concluded, “I’ve always hated you.”
It cut deep and left a lot of scars, and years later I still remember specific parts of. It doesn’t sting anymore, but it took me years to make peace with my confidence and self-esteem and see them as good, not bad.
But Can You Write a Good Angry Letter?
Right from the get-go, here’s the truth: I’m not a fan of angry letters.
The spoken word fades eventually with the softening influence of forgetfulness, but the written word can burn and last forever. An angry letter can do great damage, wreak havoc, and ruin a life. However, there are some places that it can be incredibly effective — as long as you do it right. And that’s the key.
So next time you need to write a really good angry letter, follow these steps.
