Here are some scans of my handwriting.
This is a fine Waterman Philéas, with Private Reserve American Blue.

This is my normal handwriting. It used to have many flourishes like the Spencerian school, but it's been truncated in my efforts to write faster.


This is my essay-writing script. I'm in high school right now. They don't like essays written in cursive...


This is my note-taking script. It's like my normal cursive, but legibility is not a concern, and also I employ some abbreviations (that I made up) for common elements.


This is my Chinese Kaishu. I don't know Xingshu or Caoshu.


I also have a straight-up-and-down, two-story-a print style I use to address envelopes and fill out forms, but I didn't feel it was worth scanning.

Well, that's what I've got. Any comments would be appreciated. My Chinese needs some SERIOUS help. I was hesitant to post a scan of it after seeing another member's...Oh man...please don't kill me...please...

Renzhe,

Your handwriting is very readable. Since I know absolutely nothing about Chinese, I think your Chinese looks fine. You will probably get some more useful comments from some of the other members.

Judybug

I think your writing looks great. Great legibility and good rhythm. Do you use the same pen for Chinese?

I think it's fascinating that you invented an abbreviation for a three-letter word. Although I suppose over the long run it will save you time not to write that "e."

I only read a tiny bit of Chinese but I found your writing quite legible. Your English is very easy to read, too. Well done on being proficient at both!

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I used a Philéas for all of them (It's the only fully functional pen I have).

The abbreviations are meant to replace things I don't like writing, or things I think occur often enough that mutilating them would save lots of time. Hmm...maybe I should show them all to you...It's quite interesting, I think, where these abbreviations are derived.

...and here it is.
Sorry they're all out of order. I wrote them as they came to mind.
Feel free to adopt these abbreviations.

Your handwriting is fine! And if you're going to have just one pen, the Phileas is an excellent choice - I much prefer it to the Parker 51 or the Pelikan M200 - ymmv!

You might want to take a look at the the symbols in Tee Line shorthand - I think it was designed around the same philosophy you're using.

I use X for "trans-" in any word. This came in a lot handier when I worked in a translation house--"translate" was XT. That was almost 20 years ago but I never got out of the habit.

W: is "waiting for" (as opposed to w/ which is "with")

CE is copyedit.

Yes, I've considered totally adopting a shorthand system, but I still wanted my handwriting to look like it's English. Most shorthand systems look nothing like English. I had no choice but to make stuff up.
Of course it's not nearly as fast as a shorthand system or even some other peoples' made-up abbreviations, but I'm happy if I can ease my hand from the chaos of full-blown, as-fast-as-I-can English.

I'm taking these off. Curse me, shoot me, stab me, damn me to hell.
It's been a pleasure.

Am I missing something here?

I cannot see the pictures

Kissing,

The pictures WERE here. As I said in the post above, I thought Renzhe had a nice handwriting - and some beautiful Chinese characters. Apparently he removed these pictures.

I think he became disappointed with FPN. He seemed to feel out of place, thinking everybody on FPN had very expensive pens. Several of us tried to point out that not everybody has really expensive pens and you can have an enjoyable fountain pen hobby without spending a lot of money, but I think he decided to bow out anyway. [This discussion was in another topic - can't remember exactly where.]

Judybug

It's a shame that anyone should feel that way here.

My impression is that FPN is welcoming for newcomers, as I was a while ago, and does cater for all prices without any snootiness. Indeed, there are lots of good threads on pens for few ££s extolling their funtional virtues as well as comments on design.

The only common theme I've seen that the pen should be a real one, with a nib, that you fill with ink.

And the site is populated by gentlemen, and ladies, with manners that are 'nice' and my parents would have said.

Ah well...

Chris

I came to FPN for the first time armed with nothing but one Vector . Initially, I was worried that I would be a total out-of-place noobee (everyone gets a little anxious when joining a new, mysterious group of people). But I found this place a very welcoming and open forum that reassures and encourages newcomers to the forum and newcomers to the hobby.

It's sad to hear that he missed out on it



ps- A Phileas is a classy pen in its own right as well. Though they are inexpensive in America, here in Australia, they cost the same as some Sonnets

Renzhe no! Please post them back up as I would love to see your handwriting again!

Here is my handwriting- I assure you that yours is infinitely better!

GDR2004,

I like your capitals. I'm especially envious of your capital "L." My last name starts with "L" and I can't seem to form a capital "L" that I'm happy with. I usually give up and do a printed "L."

Judybug

i cannntttttt see the pics