I've been practicing...

**AllenG** · 08-09-2012, 06:31 AM

And I'm not happy with it...

The top paragraph took moments to write.
The bottom paragraph took a month to get to that third grade level--and I think I lost a pint of blood before I got through with it.

God my hand gets shaky when I try to write in script.

My goal:

**maxman** · 08-09-2012, 06:38 AM

I think it looks nice.
My writing looks like my hand is spasming.

**Isaac** · 08-09-2012, 07:25 AM

I think you have done some great progression.

**SmoovD** · 08-09-2012, 08:18 AM

Keep up the good work. There is evident improvement in your examples. My penmanship is atrocious even after much practice.

**Slivovitz** · 08-09-2012, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by AllenG

And I'm not happy with it...The bottom paragraph took a month to get to that third grade level--and I think I lost a pint of blood before I got through with it...

Nothing wrong with setting goals to improve, but I find your cursive sample quite legible. Of course, I also admire fine penmanship as in your goal sample.

By the way, no need to lose another pint of blood. If you're looking for that dried blood look on paper, I'm sure that Noodler's must have something.

Just wanted to add something, would make it a separate post if there had been additional ones in between. High standards are good, but I think some people these days, through decreasing familiarity with everyday cursive, are too hard on themselves. Handwriting as in the first post is just fine for sending letters (if you still do that), making memoranda, or doing the first draft of the great American novel. If on top of that people want to learn really fine handwriting, or just improve their regular hand a bit, more power to them.

**Andy** · 08-09-2012, 04:40 PM

The bottom paragraph in your photo looks great, I wish my cursive was that good!
Keep up the good work!!

**N2theBreech** · 08-09-2012, 05:55 PM

I think it's looking good, myself. It reminds me of writing samples I've seen from the early 20 th century, which is my goal.

**AllenG** · 08-09-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by N2theBreech

I think it's looking good, myself. It reminds me of writing samples I've seen from the early 20 th century, which is my goal.

I've been using http://www.iampeth.com/lessons_cursive.php <--those as a guide. They are basically the same as what I was taught with oh so long ago. I've also been using the drills found here: http://www.iampeth.com/lessons/spenc...ard_index.html to help.

One of the hardest things for me to do is the overlapping capital O drill. You are basically making a long spiral down the line. Much harder than it would seem.

**AllenG** · 08-09-2012, 08:53 PM

I found a letter my grandfather (b. 1895) wrote when he was eight. It's as neat as that "my goal" jpg I posted. I'll scan it tomorrow and post it up.
I'm 45 and have spent a month trying to write as well as an eight year old. It's humbling.

**AllenG** · 08-09-2012, 08:57 PM

I also found a list of palindromes that use all 26 letters:

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs.

Jackdaws love my big sphinx of quartz.

A quick movement of the enemy will jeopardize six gunboats.

Crazy Fredericka bought many very exquisite opal jewels.

Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes.

Brawny gods flocked to quiz and vex him.

**DunEdinRanger** · 08-10-2012, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by N2theBreech

I think it's looking good, myself. It reminds me of writing samples I've seen from the early 20 th century, which is my goal.

+1

**tinashubby** · 08-10-2012, 05:06 PM

I could write prescriptions.

**jumper** · 08-10-2012, 09:48 PM

I think you should be very proud of your progress to date.

**AllenG** · 08-10-2012, 10:39 PM

Thanks guys.
I gave up writing in script somewhere around the 6th-7th grade, it's been print ever since. It's been relearning how to write all over again.
I didn't even remember how to write a good handful of the capital letters. S, I, T, and F have been the toughest.

**Dave258** · 08-11-2012, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by AllenG

Thanks guys.
I gave up writing in script somewhere around the 6th-7th grade, it's been print ever since. It's been relearning how to write all over again.
I didn't even remember how to write a good handful of the capital letters. S, I, T, and F have been the toughest.

What about Z

**celestino** · 08-11-2012, 09:46 AM

It looks like you are progressing very nicely. Keep up the practice and enjoy.

**AllenG** · 08-11-2012, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Dave258

What about Z

Zee was no problem. Guess it is because I'm not Canadian.

**Alacrity59** · 08-12-2012, 06:43 PM

Ha. . . yes it does require an effort to be Canadian. We try to keep our Zeds, and use our colours, flavours, etc. but not British either so no tyres on our cars.