These days, there are plenty of ways to get a message across. You can fax it, phone it, blog it, vlog it or copy-and-paste mass e-mail it.

But for a truly personal transaction, it doesn’t get any better than an old-fashioned pen-and-paper handwritten letter.

JacLynn Morris and Paul Fair, authors of "From Me to You: The Reluctant Writer’s Guide to Powerful, Personal Messages," say letters allow the writer to share information that might be too difficult to discuss in person. They also help us choose words more effectively, focus on positive feelings, cope with uncomfortable feelings, consider the receiver’s likely reaction and check the tone of the message before sending.

Letters also offer the recipient some advantages. The reader gets to take the message in slowly and react privately. A letter gives the reader time to process information and decide how to use it.

Although e-mail is a fast, easy way to keep in touch, the handwritten letter is far from dead. Veronica Kramer, owner of Pen Point Paperie, says stationery - and not just special-occasion cards such as wedding invitations or baby announcements - is still a popular item for personal use or for gifts.

Part of the appeal might be the beauty of the paper itself.

"A lot of our customers ... know about paper, and they like a high quality," Kramer said.

And who wouldn’t want to write on it? Luxurious lines such as Crane, William Arthur and Vera Wang use 100 percent cotton, and these are easily personalized with monograms.

"Just getting a note in the mail anymore really means a lot to people," Kramer said. "It’s more personal. It’s that extra time it takes to do that."

A handwritten letter is more than a missive. It’s an assertion of goodwill. It’s something that can be held on to and treasured, stored in scrapbooks and memory boxes.

In their book, Morris and Fair list five basic elements to a good letter. When writing, ask yourself these questions:

● What got me thinking about this person?

● What are my positive feelings for this person?

● What makes him or her special to me?

● What do I remember and treasure about our time together?

● What do I want him or her to get from my message?

The more details you include, the better. Try to help your recipient see what you’re describing, relive what you’re reliving.

Although it might be tempting to write lengthy, poetic pages, it’s generally best to write as you speak. The recipient will find the letter more sincere, and you’re less likely to fall into the trap of greeting-card sentimentality.

A good letter is like a good conversation. It’s an opportunity to update the recipient on what’s going on in your world, and it’s a chance to ask that person questions about his or her own life.

But beware sharing too much. Peggy Post, author of the 17th edition of "Emily Post’s Etiquette," has the following advice:

"You should include only information you would be happy for others to see. This means no idle gossip, no defamatory or unattractive remarks about others, and nothing so personal that it would prove embarrassing to you or anyone else."

To that end, woe-is-me letters, tell-all letters and angry letters are bad bets. And even if you have to share some bad news, end the letter with something positive that the recipient will be able to relate to.

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