More Intelligent Life: Handwriting, an elegy.
You know, this is very top-of-mind for me. My handwriting had progressively degenerated into unreadable scratching. I’ve spent about an hour three times a week over the past few weeks ‘working on my penmanship.’ There are a plethora of reproduced turn-of-the-century penmanship books online - and they’re wonderful. I’m happy to say that after about eight hours of practice with my medium-point fountain pen, my handwriting is becoming readable by others again.
Two observations that may assist others:
One: Keyboard use shortens finger-stroke, IMHO. I have to spend time to extend my fingers for longer written forms, like script F’s and such. I feel my muscles/tendons stretching in my fingers and forearm. Didn’t realize such shortening was happening.
Two: Legibility and speed do not mix. I have to stop myself from rushing, and take the time to make a beautiful, open O’s, long elegant L’s, etc.
Beautiful handwriting used to be an indicator of both class and educational achievement (except for attorneys and doctors) — yet there was no real barrier to self-improvement then — and with all these great penmanship resources available online for free, there certainly is none now.
I’m enjoying my little evening’s entertainment, really.
Comments:
My bad - I meant to link:
http://www.iampeth.com/books.php
Go nuts.
Oh, I’d also recommend starting with a flat ruled pad, rather than a Moleskine or other notebook with a spine or spiral. I’ve had to work on hand movement as the line advances - a spine or spiral just gets in the way.
Really? If I flip my spiral around so it’s on the left, and I’m right handed, would it still be an issue?
[Tangentally related: I am fascinated by fountain pens. I still don’t have one but I think I’m going to make one on a lathe.]
The height of the notebook might annoy. But try it and see. I find I’m smoother on a legal pad.
I have a nice medium nib Waterman. Fine points are too scratchy, at the lower price levels, to help maximize your stroke. Gold nibs are incredible to write with ... so smooth. And so flipping expensive now!
Encouragement
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/09/04/opinion/20090908_opart.html
How to - there are a surprising number of resources:
http://www.handwritingsuccess.com/
http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/
Almost like I was waiting for someone to ask
You can get a first pen for as little as $20, first GOOD pen under $100 - and no, you won’t lose them
http://www.richardspens.com/
http://www.gatecitypen.com/
http://www.isellpens.com/
http://www.nibs.com/mainpage.html
http://www.jetpens.com/Fountain-Pens/ct/214?ref=front
What I don’t see that alludes to previous posts, I don’t see anything discussing posture. Which the nuns went to a lot of trouble to beat into me.
But it turns out there are several acceptable methods
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/63592-proper-handwriting-posture-and-technique/
In more than one job I’ve had, I’ve been the company’s oft-used resource for things written in a beautiful hand. I consciously worked on my personal handwriting style as an adolescent—made choices that I’ve stuck with ever since. Once I was a temp in Denver in a company whose Administrator was a woman with the most beautiful handwriting I’d ever seen. It was something out of the 18th century—astonishing! Like Captain Hawden’s handwriting in ‘Bleak House!’
I think you may be right re: keyboarding impacting handwriting. Since using Dragon my handwriting has actually improved, and many of the folks I work with - keyboard jockeys all - have commented how legible my handwriting is compared to others.
Of course, having a family of teachers - and a mother who practices calligraphy, among her many other crafting interests - has helped, too. Parents setting a good example is one way to inspire our children to practice this part of the that ancient data archiving practice of manually committing thought to paper.
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You got any links handy for those penmanship books?