Handwriting #3: Doing the Writing

Years ago, I knew a guy who tried to learn tap-dancing by reading a book. It didn’t go too well. He had the history and the theory (sort of) but not the moves and rhythm. We have the same problem with this blog item: I can share some tips and tricks and tell you of some problems I have faced, but handwriting is a very physical skill and a lot of what you need will come from just watching someone do it (and watching yourself for places you can improve).

But we have to begin somewhere, so here we go. Personal disclosure: I wasn’t taught very well either, so I began with two really big mistakes. I held the pen in a death grip so tight that my hand was sore after just a small amount of writing (and I destroyed several cheap fountain pens before I learned to lighten up). Not only that, but I somehow got the idea that the goal was to write very fast.

So here is the first rule: Relax! Chill a bit!

What we are trying to make

Seventy-five or a hundred years ago, every educated youth was taught to write in a beautiful style that resembled elegant greeting cards. Your social status was proclaimed by your handwriting. We don’t need to go there now. (If you want to do that sort of writing, I suggest you sign up for a course at a local community center or art museum.)

What we need to make has to be reasonably legible (because you are writing for teachers and others) and reasonably quick and easy. My own handwriting is a mixture of block printing and connected script—and I’m inconsistent. It’s not that unusual for me to do a capital A two or three different ways in the same paragraph—or even the same sentence. That’s OK. If you can read me, that’s all that counts.

Some video tutorials

Another disclaimer: I keep seeing videos and online tutorials that say “This is the ONLY way to do it.” To tell the truth, there are several ways you can hold a pen; not only that, but some people write with their whole arm, while others just move their fingers. And when left-handers ask for advice, we get into a whole different world. Having said all that—and especially if you were as poorly taught as I was—here are some videos to give you a starting point. (There are a lot more on YouTube.)

• How to hold a pen (or pencil) properly and write without pain (It all starts here. I wish someone had shown me this when I was a little kid.)
• Why Doesn't My Handwriting Look Like That? | 5 Tips I ACTUALLY Used to Improve My Handwriting (This is from a company that wants to sell you stuff.)
• 7 Quick Tips for Better Handwriting Right Now (She does talk a lot at the beginning!)
• How to Improve Your PRINT Handwriting! (Yet another from that company that wants to sell you things. There is nothing sacred about cursive. You might do better with block printing.)

Getting some perspective

Don’t expect perfection from yourself on the first try, and don’t expect that your handwriting will stay the same for the rest of your life. It’s a physical skill. (Did you throw a baseball perfectly the first time you tried?)

One more bit of advice: If you hang around Ashland very long (either the University or just the town), you see a lot of athletic activity. On a nice day, you see a lot of runners—thundering herds of high school students, old men, little kids—all just out for a run. On campus, you often see people playing catch or throwing frisbees. They are not doing these things to win a competition; it’s just for fun, but several interesting things are happening as they run or throw. They are building strength and muscle memory and eye-hand coordination. They are just getting used to the activity, so that when they get to the track meet, it is just “more of the same.” Only a fool would show up for a race without a solid history of running.

Take this lesson from the runners: do some handwriting every day. Buy a journal and write down your thoughts several times a week. Write a letter to someone. You are doing more than simply sharpening your skill with a pen; you are getting used to putting thoughts on paper. Then when college asks you to take notes on your reading or to write an essay exam, it will feel like “more of the same.” You will not be starting from zero.

And have some fun with it.