From Edith Wharton to Henry Miller, great authors have long turned to snail mail in order to express their love, exchange intellectual ruminations, or stay in touch with friends. And luckily for us, these letters often contain significant insights into the lives of these eminent writers, as well as exemplifying marvelous writing in their own right. Many writers have accumulated so much fascinating mail that their letters have even been compiled into books.

Nowadays, letters seem to be going the way of the dinosaur as emails, texts, and even tweets offer quicker, easier communication. But let's not give up so easily -- a beautifully penned note represents more thought and care than a Facebook message, and it's something the recipient, at least, might treasure for years.

Sitting down to compose a full letter may seem daunting, so start out with something a little bit more simple. Take one of these lovely literature-inspired cards, add a thoughtful note inside, and make someone's day!