Handwriting is one of those personal stylistic tasks that reveals much about a person. The way in which we make curves, lines, and dots on a page seems to correlate to our personalities.
Some readers interpret sloppy handwriting as belonging to a careless or negligent person. Rendering a document unreadable due to poor script can lead to schedule delays and short tempers. If your handwriting needs a little refinement, here are some things that can help:
1. Think about what you want to say. Don't just start writing in hurried fashion when signing a card or drafting a memo. Mull over the main ideas in your mind before putting them on paper. Practice the phrasing mentally in preparation for writing it out. Many famous writers have spent quite a bit of time formulating an idea before spelling it out. Some say that Edgar Allan Poe spend a couple of weeks deciding on the best word or phrase for a story before finishing his tale. Good ideas take time.
2. Practice your style. When you have a few free moments, write your name several times on blank paper. Each time try to improve one small thing about your handwriting. For example, if you usually dot your i's in the wrong place, work on doing them correctly. Or if your m's appear indistinguishable with your n's, work on the former until they take on a shape of their own. Little by little you can work on individual writing problems until they improve, and you will soon see good results in your style.
3. Slow down. Many of us have poor handwriting because we write quickly. Always in a hurry, we slam through a note or dart across the bottom of a card, scarcely thinking about what we're writing, let alone how we write it. The next time you're ready to handwrite a message, steady your hand on the page, press the pen or pencil firmly, and make yourself write more slowly and carefully. You'll be impressed by how much more attractive your style becomes automatically.
4. Get inspired. Browse old books or Internet Websites that feature facsimiles of beautiful handwriting. It's amazing to think that before modern times, all great books, including the Bible, were written exclusively by hand. Examine some of the beautiful printed works made by monks or scribes that preserve the artistic value of careful printing. Design a new signature that reflects facets of your personality.
5. Use quality writing implements. Buy a set of calligraphy pens and experiment with them to create lovely print styles of your own. Try firm, medium, and fine ballpoint pens to get a feel for the most comfortable type for your way of writing. Keep your favorite pens handy at home and at work so that you will feel competent and professional when doing any type of handwriting.
Your handwriting can improve quickly and dramatically with a little bit of effort and interest. All it takes is thought, practice, and good writing utensils to bring your ideas to life in print.
