Tripletters

Tripletters are a compact travel-writing format consisting of brief, letter-like notes that recount experiences from a journey. They resemble postcards and diary entries, but are crafted for digital sharing and archiving. The form emphasizes immediacy and a personal voice while remaining concise enough for online readers.

A typical tripletter includes a destination tag and date, a short evocative scene or moment, and a closing reflection or call to action for readers. Many versions invite sensory detail—sound, scent, texture—to transport the reader. Some incorporate optional elements such as a photo, a map reference, or a link to further reading.

Origins and use: The concept draws on traditional epistolary writing and modern micro-writing practices. It has been discussed in travel-writing circles as a way to deliver portable, engaging narratives in newsletters, apps, or social media. Variants include location-based tripletters that attach coordinates, and serialized editions that publish a new letter from each stop on a route.

Platforms and formats: Tripletters tend to be short enough to fit within typical platform limits, often 100 to 300 words. They are used in email newsletters, blog posts, or app feeds, and may be archived in a traveler’s digital diary. Visuals, such as a single photograph or sketch, frequently accompany the text.

Reception and critique: Supporters view tripletters as a practical, engaging form that preserves memory and fosters reader participation. Critics warn that the brevity can encourage selective storytelling and performative travel, and that privacy or accuracy concerns may arise when sharing details of third parties or sensitive locations.