How to Improve your Handwriting

Well this is common, the habit of unreadable handwriting and for many I wouldn't even class what they write as handwriting. You may think 'It doesn't matter as long as I can read it'. 

Of course it's great that you can read your own handwriting but if others cant, think about all the things you may write out: letters (although e-mail can be a substitute), cards, job application forms, notes, homework and the like for students (if it cant be done on the computer), directions and addresses for somebody, postcards, examinations (which aren't online) etc.

To improve handwriting you will need to put effort, time and patience to make an improvement, until you are able to write at full speed with neatness.

Personally I'm quite happy about my handwriting, but it can be messy sometimes (especially when note-taking). If you want to and if you put in a lot of practice, you can become really advanced and master all sorts of insane 'fonts'.

1. Choice of Pen 

To improve your handwriting it's not necessary to buy a gold plated, diamond covered state-of-the-art fountain pen. In fact a simple Biro will be sufficient, however, fountain pens and handwriting pens are a lot easier to write well with than ordinary pens (like biro's).

Different nibs, pen widths, ink types, will all factor to how your handwriting is formed.

For lefties, special left-handed pens can be bought. I myself am a lefty and have never tried these pens, I find normal pens fine.

2. Grip 

Although you may be concentrating fully on what you're writing, your pen doesn't need to be held with the grip you would use for a sword. 

A light and supportive hold is what's best, allowing your pen strokes not to be so tense and rigid, but letting it flow nicely.

3. Practice 

I'm sure I've said it before, the more you practice the better you will become. 

Try to write a letter per day. If you can't manage this then try a paragraph, bearing in mind the more you do the easier it will become.

Try different fonts and styles, and be patient - it's unlikely that you're going to achieve perfect handwriting overnight.

4. Posture 

You need to stay relaxed but yet straight, keeping the desired amount of grip on the pen, resting lightly on the table (or surface of choice).

Also try to keep your arms bend at 90 degrees.

It's amazing how much posture can affect your handwriting, don't forget to be in an area where you have lots of room for your arms to relax. Hunching them up because of lack of room can make handwriting awkward.

5. Find your Font 

Each one of us have our own preferences to handwriting fonts, so find the one that's right for you. 

It's no good trying to perfect a handwriting style that you don't like and you don't plan to use. (Unless your doing things like calligraphy).

If you're unsure how to go about learning or practising different fonts on your own, don't worry head over to Google images to get some ideas.

6. Lined Paper 

Try to write on lined paper wherever possible, it gives you guidelines to height and form, as-well as keeping it straight.

If you don't have lined paper, you mark very light lines out with a pencil and a ruler. You can also get guidelines to put underneath the paper if you don't want to have to draw your own lines.

If you can draw on a plain piece of paper using guidelines, or self-drawn light guideline - it does look nice.

7. Calligraphy lessons 

You can sign up to a calligraphy class and watch your handwriting grow. While learning calligraphy you will need to be perfectly neat to get the best results, you'll also have a teacher and other class members to help you. 

My grandma does calligraphy and is a very neat hand-writer. :)