First, sit. Letters take time.

首先，坐下。写信是要花时间的

Letters have a rhythm. Letters must be written, and writing takes a while. Three lines can’t do the work of three paragraphs. This is not to say your letter must be long. Three paragraphs can do the work of three pages. Just give them some time.

情书是有韵律的。情书应该是书写出来的，而写信要花点时间。三行文字的情书是不能和三段文字的情书相提并论的。这不是说你的情书一定要长。三段也可以起到三页的作用。花些时间吧。

Be loyal to the past you share.

认真分享的往事

If your love emerged on a kayak trip, then you don’t just mention that experience — you make it. Let the river become your palette. Tell a story that only the two of you know. Or narrate a moment in which she was unaware that you were watching her. Use detail to show what you remember and that you remember.

如果你是在一次独木舟之旅遇到你的爱情的，那么你就不要只提那次经历了，让那条河流成为你的调色板，在你的笔下再创造一次那样的经历。讲述一个只有你们两个人知道的故事。或者描述一个她没有留意到你在注视着她的时刻。使用细节来展示你记住的美丽往事。

Let the example precede sentiment.

先举例后动情

A good love letter declares itself plainly, then illustrates particularly. “I saw you watching the men play chess in the park. So quiet. I love the way you look at things.” Show her what you love in her before you tell her what you love in her. Show, then tell.

一封好的情书本身既能简单地说明，也能具体地描述。“我看到你在公园里看他们下国际象棋。很安静。我喜欢你看东西时的那种表现。”在你告诉她哪些方面惹你喜欢之前，先向她展现你喜欢她的那些地方。先展示，然后再说。

Don’t repeat yourself.

不要老重复

Emotional declarations matter more if you space them a little. Even in a short letter, you must create room. With love, there’s value in scarcity. That’s why it feels like such a jackpot.

情绪表达更重要，如果你给它们腾出一点空间的话。即使是在一封简短的情书里，你必须要创造出空间。有了爱，贫乏中也会有价值。这也是最吸引人的地方，那感觉就像中了头彩一样。

Most of all, remember that it’s private.

最重要的是，记住，情书是私信

Say something that surprises you about yourself. Let her know that she is redefining your terms. In this way most, a love letter is like love itself. There must be risk.

说一些能让自己惊喜的关于自己的事情。让她知道她要去重新认识你。这样的话，情书更像是恋爱，有一定的风险。