I remember the story, Charlotte’s Web, a tale most of us are familiar with, I am sure. It is the story of a pig named Wilbur and the friendships he makes in his barnyard: specifically a smart and sassy spider named Charlotte who creates amazing designs in her web. I also remember the story of the boy who encounters a family of swans living free out in nature. The swans show him a purpose in life as he observes them and learns the Trumpet of the Swans. Oh yes, and who can forget the story of the mouse-boy adopted by a human family: Stuart Little

All of these are great stories, many of them movies now for that matter, and all were written by one man: E.B. White. This man died in 1985 but his stories are still loved by children around the world and especially here in the USA. These stories teach us all a little bit about the simple joys in life:a spiderweb, a swan in flight, a mouse driving a toy car. Ok, so they teach a little bit about imagination too.

This man, was a great writer not because of his stunning personality or specific way of writing prose: he was a great writer becasue that’s what he did: he wrote and he wrote about characters and people that touch our hearts. Now, more than 20 years after his death, another piece of his writing has been published: a piece not known to both teachers and students alike: his letters. Ray Blount took time to review Letters of E.B. White for the New York Times in a piece entitled: “A True Friend and a Good Writer”.  

One of White’s letters included in the book is one sent to his stepson about 2 robins he saved from starvation by feeding them through a straw. About White’s treatment of the birds, Blount writes:

“St. Francis of Assisi, over here. He nurtures robins, and he writes fine affectionate letters to his loved ones, who include many old friends, like the humorist Frank Sullivan: “Thank you, thank you, sweet my Frank, for your lovely letter.” Pretty darn warm and genuine, is how Andy, as White’s friends called him, comes off in these letters. And danged peculiar. “

Maybe White was peculiar. Maybe he was a little strange. Maybe he was an introvert. All of this is inconsequential and Blount agrees with me, because White was a “pretty good” writer, even when he wasn’t trying.

Good writers can do that: they know what they’re saying even if no one else does. White didn’t just write “twee” and “whimsical” letters to his children and friends. He wrote to his biographer about life. The letters in the book show more of White than just his childish side. They also show more of White than the person who rewrote Elements of Style as a writing tool for those interested in taking their writing to the next level. Though I have only read snippets of the letters White penned, I agree with Blount, those letters show more than just a writer: they show a person, a husband, a father, a nature lover, and “A True Friend”.

So all of us prospective writers: take note. Even a letter can be a great piece of writing. Good writers write about what they know. They live their lives and they write and write and write. E.B. White was one of those writers. Just a great example of a man doing what he loved the most. And he was “danged” good at it.

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