Many people shy away from handwritten notes because they feel their penmanship is just not good enough. One of the most common excuses, just behind “I am too busy” and “No one writes regular letters anymore” is the non-excusable reason of “My handwriting is horrible!” Why is it not a good excuse at all? Because your handwriting is a skill, believe it or not, that you can improve and not something you are simply born and stuck with.
It is common to find faults in your own handwriting, even professional calligraphers feel that way. The recipient of your notes will not be as critical as you are. The reality is that your handwriting is probably not that bad, once you practice a bit more and get your hand and mind warmed up to the idea. If anything, your handwriting represents you as an individual and your loved ones and friends will be glad to have received a personal note you have written, no matter what. However, there are tips and tricks to help you improve your handwriting techniques.
GUIDELINES can help you write evenly and straight on paper. Try lined stationery to help you ease into the fine art of handwritten communication. You can even draw a grid with pencil that can be erased later if you are titling a card or looking for exact alignment. Many people use a guideline underneath their paper to ensure their writing is level.
A ROUGH DRAFT will enable you to practice writing a bit and warm up, before writing on the actual card or stationery. Just like stretching before a jog, you can also warm up your handwriting by writing out some words and different shapes and lines to begin with. The rough draft will help you collect your thoughts and plan your letter out, then you can concentrate entirely on your handwriting during the final draft.
YOUR FAVORITE PEN or PENCIL will help you on your way to beautiful penmanship. It is important to find a writing utensil you feel comfortable writing with. This doesn’t mean you need an expensive calligraphy pen, just let the ease of writing and flow help you decide what feels right. The fit of a writing utensil has to do with your grip, so it is important to practice different grips and use what you are most comfortable with.
GOOD POSTURE can actually help you write better. Many people forget all about posture and lean down onto the paper when writing. Keep yourself sitting up straight, but comfortable and remember that writing involves your arm, hand and fingers. Your arm should be sliding across the paper as you write. Also, many recommend tilting your writing surface to a 45 degree angle. You will have to test out various setups to see what is the best fit for you personally.
WRITE because practice does make perfect. Try to practice your handwriting regularly. You will be surprised how a bit of practice will enable you to auto-correct your own inconsistencies as well as help you identify the aspects that you truly need improvement in. Remember that handwriting is a skill, so you have to work at it to achieve the best results. You will also help to strengthen your arm, hand and finger muscles as you continue writing more and feel comfortable with your penmanship.
Now go on and get back to paper!
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