How to improve my handwriting?

[Rata]

Hey guys. Since elementary school my handwriting has always been terrible. It's crammed, strange and simply ugly to look at. Growing up in an age where computers are widely available and part of our everyday lives hasn't helped either.

So, my question is: how do I improve it? Any exercises you guys might want to suggest? Tips?

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

There are a lot of exercises you can do and they can be found online or from books. There are also courses you can take for it.

My best advice and the advice of a lot of others will be to just free write everynight- possibly a journal- and take your time with it. A lot of improvement can be made in a month's time but you have to work at it and take your time

Other than that, relax, pull up a chair and grab your pen and paper.

 

[Mr5x5]

I was known for my terrible handwriting. It still isn't great, but I found just practicing fundamentals helps. Loops and lines. Having something you enjoy writing with helps. I'm still searching for "the pen", but even an inexpensive Platinum Preppy is more enjoyable than a disposable stick pen.

 

[strop]

Of course, we're going to recommend a fountain pen!

Seriously,though, Mr5x5 is absolutely correct. Practice/repitition is the key. A FP will facilitate things though. A nice pen will literally glide effortlessly across the paper. With a ball point you have to press down to get the ink to flow, leading to fatigue in the small muscles of the hand, otherwise know as writer's cramp. Our grade school teachers really did know about this stuff, when they made us sit up straight in the chair, hold the pen with the proper grip, position the paper properly, etc. You find that you actully write by using the big muscles of the arm and shoulder to move the hand. Your fingers don't really move to form a letter. I really don't think it will take long for you to see a difference!

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I was being good and not mentioning getting a FP helps Ohwell.

I'll let the other two be known as the enablers on this one.
(We need a score sheet :d)

 

[strop]

I was being good and not mentioning getting a FP helps Ohwell.

I'll let the other two be known as the enablers on this one.
(We need a score sheet :d)

We have one! http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/328086-Who-is-it

I need to step up my game!

 

[nemo]

Of course, we're going to recommend a fountain pen!

Seriously,though, Mr5x5 is absolutely correct. Practice/repitition is the key. A FP will facilitate things though. A nice pen will literally glide effortlessly across the paper. With a ball point you have to press down to get the ink to flow, leading to fatigue in the small muscles of the hand, otherwise know as writer's cramp. Our grade school teachers really did know about this stuff, when they made us sit up straight in the chair, hold the pen with the proper grip, position the paper properly, etc. You find that you actully write by using the big muscles of the arm and shoulder to move the hand. Your fingers don't really move to form a letter. I really don't think it will take long for you to see a difference!

So true. Start with the basics -- grip, your posture, desk height, and how you move the pen (whole arm). Then start the loops.

Don't be hard on yourself, you will improve with practice!

 

[syngent]

Online lessons can help iampeth.com has a bunch palmer method is what uou would call regular writing, starting a journal will give you something to write and an excuse to continue to practice

Practice is the only way your going to improve

 

[celestino]

Same wisdom as most anything, even razor and FPs; practice, practice, practice.
Try to do it each night and enjoy it with nice fountain pens of all sorts.

 

[andrew98]

Online lessons can help iampeth.com has a bunch palmer method is what uou would call regular writing, starting a journal will give you something to write and an excuse to continue to practice

Practice is the only way your going to improve

If you're going to use a fountain pen, decent paper is a must. It just needs to be thick enough that the ink doesn't feather or bleed through. Otherwise, the Palmer method is probably the best place to start. This thread is worth a read, too. You can see how some folks' writing improved there.

-Andy

 

[Nightshade18]

I had a similar question not so long ago.
I'll second what's been said above with emphasis on making sure your grip is spot on and that you're writing from your arm rather than your fingers. I found that I when I corrected those things my writing initially got a little worse whilst I 're-trained' my arm. Keep at it, if you have the want, you will improve.... I promise.
And one final tip: if you write quickly, start off by slowing yourself down. Concentrate on forming each letter correctly and if you make a mess of a word, re-write it again slower till you get it right.

Good luck

 

[Shutterbug57]

I used the book Write Now: The Complete Program for Better Handwriting. It discusses the stick and ball style we were taught in school and then goes into an italic handwriting style. It really improved my handwriting. So does taking your time.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0876781180/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

 

[platon951]

online search palmer method

 

[PugslyCat]

In my experience, keeping a journal was very helpful. My handwriting improved noticeably after a few days of concentrating on HOW stuff was written as much or more than what I was writing. Taking my time and enjoying the writing experiece also helped, as opposed to quickly scribbling notes.

 

[Retiredgene]

In my experience, keeping a journal was very helpful. My handwriting improved noticeably after a few days of concentrating on HOW stuff was written as much or more than what I was writing. Taking my time and enjoying the writing experiece also helped, as opposed to quickly scribbling notes.

+1, agreed, Paul.

I found that my notes in pencil & ballpoint from meetings & seminars were almost not even readable later. Not because of poor forming of letters BUT because I tended to drop off letters, let the thought trail off and just take short cuts!

Once I decided to practice, practice and practice some more with a FP at palmermethod in order to write notes I had created, I was stunned how much it improved.

Good advice in this thread.......Gene

 

[Alacrity59]

Well practice of course . . . but what to practice? The Palmer method . . . . there was a like to a video I liked. It was about writing with rhythm . . . smooth steady flow. Hopefully someone will remember posting it and link it in?