A friend thinks that I should start my own business-writing letters for people who can’t write. Should I try?

Question

My boyfriend’s mother (Hope) tells me that I have a special gift that I am wasting. Hope knows that I majored in English in college (and excelled in my classes). On Thursday and Friday, I wrote a letter for Hope to send to a court in Indiana where Hope’s husband is filing for divorce. Hope wanted to tell the court her side of things. I have taken acting classes, and I know Hope’s whole, long, sad, story, so I just pretended to be her and wrote (from her) a half professional-half personal letter that blew her away. I spent a couple of hours writing the letter longhand and then another couple of hours typing it on the computer (mostly with one finger LOL). Hope is a very aware, intelligent woman, but she can’t write very well or spell at all, whereas writing is my whole existence-writing is what has kept me on this planet that I don’t really want to be on.

Answer 1

go for it......everyones life is...a good book..and although i am articulate in writing, i hate dispute letters and i always am paying someone else to do it for me. if i am like that, then there are others.....

Answer 2

I think it is a much needed service, as many people do not have good writing skills these days.  I don't know how you'd price it though, but take a shot at it.

Answer 3

It's a very good idea!!

Answer 4

Wow.... stopped reading half-way through. Make sure you cut actual business letters short, sweet. ;)

To stop kidding, I think that is a great idea. Still, make sure you know what you´re writing about. Writing letters that just need to be phrased in a formal way, that´s probably fine. When it comes to legal matters and such, you really need to know something about court proceedings etc. to be able to write a letter that works well there. You might offer to write applications for people or proof-read them? Or offer proof-reading to college or university students who have to hand in papers? Mind you, I´d only advertise your English major and not offer to proof-read papers for medical students, law students et al. - or make it clear you only proof-read for spelling and grammar matters, not content.

As to your poems and other writing, there are online publishers who publish your books for free - as e-books and print books. Google to find them - and good luck with that. :)

Answer 5

Do some research on the internet about where to send your songs.  Decide who would sound best to sing them.  Should they be sung by male or female vocalists, country & western or heavy metal, soft rock or . . .?  You can also post a notice at the library or grocery store or any other local notice board about writing letters.  You can start this business at home and when you get too much business to handle, you can rent a location and hire an assistant