I just started working to improve my handwriting, using a FP. Doing some "drills" to learn to use my shoulder and upper arm, I'm wearing my bowling wrist brace to remind me not to use my wrist much or to hook it over.

Anyway, writing on a spiral notebook I noticed the thickness of the book bothered me. It works better to put a sheet directly on the table. Any suggestions on posture, technique, etc.?

--John

I've read some argument about whether the use of wrist or the whole arm is more important. I'm really not convinced it's all that necessary.

Then again, my handwriting looks like a chicken was digging for breakfast on my paper.

Any how, I lost the link to the post here but the other day someone posted a lengthy thread about some basic drills, which I'm currently using at least for a starting point of consistency in my writing (and hopefully a marked improvement). It's basically this:

write repeatedly: aa, ab, ac ==> az, ba, bb ==> ZZ (If you get the drift) once per session.

Also, it included repetitive writing of sentences which use all letters of the alphabet -- one per session; one paragraph which uses a wide combination of letters, once per session ...

And repeat the previous in capitals once per session.

I don't have the link to the post, and I won't take the time to re-type it all, but I trust someone else will have better advice than I do.

Try here for guidence on position and posture:
http://www.iampeth.com/books.htm

And this:

http://jp29.org/itbasics.htm

Your writing will seem to become smoother the more your arm and shoulder are involved in the motion. Also, as you write with your fingers, the pen's angle to the paper changes more than if you use your whole arm and shoulder. This changing angle will be a hindrance to you if you use pens with small sweet spots. A sharp italic nib, for example, will tend to dig into the paper when writing descenders and when starting and ending long words. Some round pointed pens will skip when writing large ascenders with your fingers.

You can find a lot more help and advice if you visit the "Penmanship" forum located a few links below this one.

Paddler

I'm doing a row of sin wave, again starting at the top because that's where I need help,
a row of circles
a row of e loops
a row of loops connected at the top (upside down e)
a row of /// lines, a row of \\\ lines, and a row of ||| lines

At the end of the page, I'll write the alphabet (UC and LC and digits) 3 times.

But I have more natural trouble making curves while moving across the page. I can write block letters OK, but the sin waves give me fits. That explains why I can't write cursive well.

I'm thinking of making a trace page so I can get my loops right, rather than being circles pinned to a line, but make the whole shape a smooth curve.

But as long as I feel it in my shoulders etc. I think I'm starting to build basic motor skill.

--John