There are quite a few of us on here who are interested in Calligraphy and Penmanship, some of us dabble in it as a hobby and some of us do it professionally. I was intrigued to know what exactly are your reasons for doing it?
I personally have three motives, my first motive is historical interest, it somehow brings history forwards in time so that I can think along similar lines as those who existed before us. There is something very thought provoking about writing and using the same/similar implements they used.
My second motive is for its sheer beauty... What more is there to add to that particular point?
My third motive is a little odd but I find it a relaxing thing to do, almost like an exercise...

So what about you?

I think my reasons are those you listed under numbers 2 and 3. The historical look - well, maybe, but my scribblings don't look historical anyway.

I dabble with calligraphy, although it is probably premature of me to call what I do by that name. I find it relaxing and I believe that the eye hand coordination is a good thing to exercise. Besides it is fun. /Craig

I don't know if learning Japanese (Hiragana currently) counts but I find it very satisfying to concentrate very very hard on forming the characters so that other concerns and worries disappear from my mind - a vacation for the brain perhaps

For me it's like some kind of meditation, I'm a very hyperactive person, I really can't sit still for a minute! ->
But when I'm writing it's totally different, I can write for hours and I don't feel tired afterwards...

I have always been fascinated with written language. I've never gotten over being amazed that these symbols that make up what we call the alphabet - when put together in certain combinations form words - and words, put together, form thoughts.

Although language is amazing even if you're using a computer to convey it, there is something that is divinely human (or humanly divine) about a thought popping into your brain and flowing on to a piece of paper via a lovely pen. Then someone else can take in with their eyes what you've put on paper and have those thoughts you had in your brain conveyed to their brain. Amazing!

OK, I've bared my soul here. I trust none of you are going to call the men in white coats to put me in a straight jacket.

Judybug

What you have said works just fine for me too. /Craig

I love the beauty of the calligraphy, particularly combined with the beauty of the written word.

As for handwriting practice, I just wanted to have something I didn't mind looking at for hours at a time.

I found out writing is some kind of meditation. I must stay calm to the letters look good...

Of course it counts!

I do find it relaxing. And there's something about forming pretty letters that makes me want to try it---not that I succeed, but it's still enjoyable.

Judybug,

It's the pioneers that take the arrows.

Thanks for saying what amounts to my motivation for slow deliberate writing... in fact, I've spent some time studying the hand of Thomas Jefferson and tried to see if he had some better letterforms for me to incorporate into my Spencerian.

When I write a letter to a loved one, they can hold the paper in their hand... and know that I have done the same. I like to write on toothy paper just to give us both a sense of texture.

I'd like to have anyone show me how they get this type of satisfaction from an email. Triple dog dare...

Brent