I'm trying to improve my handwriting—I'll probably post some samples later for reference—and I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me out with a few questions that I have. My plan is to improve my cursive handwriting first and learn italic later on, when I feel more confident.

So first of all, how do I stop writing with my wrist and start writing with my arm, and how can I tell—or feel—the difference between them?

One issue that I'm trying to correct with my writing, particularly on lined paper, is that sometimes my words run through the lower loops of the words above. How can I avoid that? Should I just skip those areas with the loops?

Also, would anyone be able to tell me where I might be able to find some character sheets (majuscules and minuscules) for me to practice? I'd also be really thankful if people could provide me with nice cursive handwriting samples from where I might be able to get some ideas.

Thanks,
João Pinheiro

The subject of wrist and arm movement in handwriting, has been explored a few times with lots of different opinions and advice - just search through the topics on this forum and you'll find what you're looking for.

On lined paper, each time you start a new line of writing, just miss out one line. That way, the space between two lines of writing will be double that of the height of your minuscules and there will be no clash of ascenders and descenders. Just look at the type you're reading on the screen right now, and you'll see exactly that - 2mm minuscules with a 4mm space between.

Look at the top of this forum and you'll find Ann Finley's excellent letter-by-letter Chancery Italic Script Instructions. There is also a book recommendation list which is very useful.

good luck!

caliken

In my review of some discussions here I found this for character sheets to practice (looped) cursive.
Don't mean to insult you by recommending 3rd grade material, but while you are deciding which book to buy or to check out from a library these are available now free.

http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/cursive.htm


I also found this to be interesting comparison of 5 handwriting programs.

http://www.cep.pdx.edu/samples/compare.pdf

Another resource that I am a fan of is Dubay and Getty's Write Now book. It is available at a wide variety of suppliers (I bought my copy at Pear Tree Pens- not associated, just a happy customer).

Thanks for that link davidwholt!

Thank you very much for the links and information everyone!

davidwholt: No offence whatsoever taken! I do realise that, in order to improve my handwriting, I have to go back to the very basics, and that means doing lots and lots of 3rd grade character sheets.