Writer's Corner

Since the late 1940s, there has been an actual designated psychological condition called “writer’s block.” Even great American fiction writer F. Scott Fitzgerald struggled with this affliction. Many things can be attributed to this condition including illness, anxiety, distraction and the pressure to create. Some writers need a personal muse or divine inspiration to put “pen to paper.” The best coping method is to sit down and simply start writing.

One kick-off is to concentrate on being descriptive. Anton Chekhov suggests “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of the light on broken glass.” Graphic novel author Neil Gaiman recommends this course of action: “The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you're allowed to do whatever you like…  I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter."

So don't let that blank page traumatize you. Let your creative juices flow and express yourself. A fine writing instrument with perhaps a new color ink and smooth writing paper will put you on the “write” path.

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Writer Quotes

“The idea of just wandering off to a café with a notebook and writing and seeing where that takes me for awhile is just bliss.” - J. K. Rowling

“Good writing is clear thinking made visible.” - Bill Wheeler

“Pens don't draw they unravel their handwriting and then tie it up again, but differently. - Jean Cocteau

“A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.” - Franz Kafka

“I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.” - Flannery O'Connor

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In Celebration of Penmanship

Did you know that there is a national and international competition devoted to handwriting?

The AAHC, Annual American Handwriting Competition and WHAC, World Handwriting Achievement Contest brings focus to the fine art of penmanship.

You can enter in one of two different categories. Functional:  this stresses legibility and Artistic: which spotlights calligraphy using decorative stokes. The winners vary based on age groupings. Anyone 8 years or older can participate. You must enter your writings by hard-copy mail. The cut-off time for this year’s submissions has just passed. But you have time to practice for next year!

What a wonderful way to the art of fine writing alive!

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Writer Quotes

“A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.” - Eugene Ionesco

“If I waited till I felt like writing, I’d never write at all.” - Anne Tyler

“Forget about all the rules. Forget about being published. Write for yourself and celebrate writing.” - Melinda Haynes

“Start writing no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” - Louis L’Amour

“The writer is by nature a dreamer – a conscious dreamer.” – Carson McCullers

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Writer Quotes

“I saw that bad handwriting should be regarded as a sign of an imperfect education.” Mahatma Gandhi

“Writing letters… is such a swell way to keep from working and yet feel you've done something.” - Ernest Hemingway

 “A man’s penmanship is an unfailing index of his character, moral and mental, and a criterion by which to judge his peculiarities of taste and sentiment.” Lord Chesterfield

“The post office has a great charm at one point of our lives.  When you have lived to my age, you will begin to think letters are never worth going through the rain for.” - Jane Austen

 “Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company. “-  Lord Byron

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Recording Family History

Family bibles uses expand beyond being just religious scripture document. Many have also served the purpose of providing a home for records of important events that happened such as deaths, births, graduations and weddings for centuries. Many family bibles even include traditions, recipes and family anecdotes.

Recording electronic family history may now be the norm, but hi-tech solutions are not essential. The preference for keeping detailed paper records, including handwritten biographical outlines for each ancestor, family group records and pedigree charts, in a family bible or beautifully adorned journal is once again gaining momentum.

Even though most people are completely comfortable working with a computer, there is something to be said for keeping a fine penmanship record of your ancestors’ past. You not only keep your family history alive you also contribute to preserving the keeping of private and public records using the fine art of handwriting.

It may be time to treat yourself, and future generations, to a fine heirloom pen that can not only record your family’s current activities; it can be used by your great-great-grandchildren in many years to come.

Here’s a good starting point of suggested pens to get your search going:

http://www.penboutique.com/parker-sonnet-sterling-silver-cisele-gold-trim-rollerball-pen.html
http://www.penboutique.com/aurora-ipsilon-satin-blue-rollerball-pen.html

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Inspiring the young to write

In order to keep the art of writing, and writing in cursive penmanship, alive sometimes we all need a little inspiration. It is important to inspire our young ones to keep both arts alive. Here are some fun, sure-fire questions to prompt and get the young creative juices flowing.

1. If I was a super hero what kind of super hero would I be and what powers would I have (This can also be done using villains)?

2. If you were given 3 wishes what would they be and why?

3. If I could invent a new toy what kind of toy would I create and why?

4. If you could be invisible what would you do and why?

5. What would do if you won a million dollars?

6. Write about something you are really good at.

7. Write about 1 thing you want to learn about.

8. Write about a time when you worked really hard to get something.

9. What is the best thing someone has ever given to you?

10. What is the bravest thing you have ever done?

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Penmanship Corner

Writing is a codified system of standard symbols: the repetition of agreed-upon simple shapes to represent ideas. Recognizable systems of writing developed in 3 major cultures within 1200 years of each other. Sumerian cuneiform developed around 3000 BC, Egyptian hieroglyphs around 2800 BC, and the precursor to Kanji Chinese around 1800 BC. The development of writing allowed cultures to record events, history, laws; theories in math, science, medicine; create literature and more.

By the mid-1700’s, there were special schools established to teach handwriting techniques, or penmanship. Master penmen were employed to copy official documents such as land deeds, birth and marriage certificates, military commissions, and other legal documents. Timothy Matlack was commissioned to write the final copy of the Declaration of Independence, and Jacob Shallus penned the final copy of the Constitution of the United States of America.

What better way to make friends than being prepared to spontaneously recite poetry?

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Penmanship Writing Corner - Write Often

Penmanship Writing Corner

Write Often

If you really want to improve your penmanship you need to practice, An occasional note, birthday card , and a grocery list is a chance to practice, as is the ‘honey do’ list. But if you are serious about being able to showcase your exemplary penmanship skills keep a journal, pen a short story or copy cursive writing from a template, anything that will give you more experience forming letters and words.

I must admit my cursive is excellent; it must have been all those black and white composition books where I had to practice over and over again each letter of the alphabet. Like anything worthwhile, it takes time. But don’t despair, it will most likely take less than the twelve years I practiced in school!

It is a personal preference as to what writing tool you use. Rollerball pens are so smooth that they writer smoothly with the least amount of pressure. On the other hand, more pressure is required to write with ballpoint pens. If you write small, and want to explore writing with a fountain pen, you’ll probably want to go with a fine-tipped pen so your writing becomes more legible. If you write in a very simple, minimalistic way without much embellishment, you might want to try writing with a stub-nibbed fountain pen or a chisel-tipped pen just to see how that might change your writing. Whatever you decide “Write-on!”

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Cursive Corner

Penmanship is the technique of writing with the hand using a writing instrument. The various generic and formal historical styles of writing are called "hands" whilst an individual's style of penmanship is referred to as "handwriting".

The biggest controversy to take place in the world of penmanship is happening right now: The Common Core education standards dictate that cursive will no longer be taught in elementary schools. And things are getting pretty heated. Seven states—California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Utah—are now fighting to keep cursive in the curriculum.

I remember being so excited for third grade when I would FINALLY be able to learn fancy handwriting like all the “big kids.” Cursive was presented as something special and advanced and we all wanted to know how to do it. As our teacher handed out our new writing instruments I was thrilled to have my very own ballpoint pen. Being a student of Catholic schools in the 1960s I was subject to hours of the Palmer method of writing practicing my ovals and squiggles. I, for one, hope this time honored tradition continues as it gives me an excuse to use my finest pens!

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Thank You Notes and Quotes

Everyone appreciates a thoughtful thank you note. "Thank you" is a common expression of gratitude. It often refers to a thank you letter, a letter written to express appreciation. The best thank you note is a personal one, one that is hand written. Taking the time to take pen in hand and compose a heartfelt sentiment always spotlights a richer sincerity on behalf of the writer. Going an extra step with a distinctive writing ink color is a welcome accent.

There are various ways to compose proper business and appreciative personal thank you notes. Here are a few good sample beginnings listed to get you started.

Business thank you notes

We truly appreciate your business, and we're grateful for the trust you've placed in us. Please don't hesitate to call me if ever a problem should arise. We hope to have the pleasure of doing business with you for many years to come.

I just wanted to let you know that having you on our team makes all the difference. Thanks for all you do. We appreciate your dedication.

Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. I sincerely appreciate the time you spent reviewing my career goals and recommending strategies for achieving them. Your advice was very helpful and gave me a new perspective on available opportunities.

Personal thank you notes

The flowers are gorgeous! I've never gotten flowers at the office before and it was quite a treat! I felt like a queen. Thank you so much for sending them, and for choosing such a beautiful bouquet. You really made my day!

Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for always brightening my day!

My family will forever be grateful to you for your care, compassion, understanding and support during our crisis. Thank you for your words of comfort and encouragement, for bringing us a bountiful lunch, and for making it possible for us to gather with family. You have such an exemplary and kind heart, and we cannot thank you enough for all you did (and continue to do) to help us get through a difficult time.

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Calligraphy Corner

Calligraphy is the art of lettering that has existed almost as long as the written word. Calligraphy can be practiced using almost any alphabet, and thus can be found in documents from China, Japan, medieval European monks, the United States and many other places. Teaching children calligraphy can help improve penmanship and encourage creativity and attention to detail. Activities will help students practice their calligraphy regularly. These activities don't require special calligraphy tools, although calligraphy pens with slanted tips can be used.

The French believe that giving children the ability to write will free their minds to perform creatively throughout their lives. So they teach handwriting as a subject in its own right. And they teach handwriting in a uniform way throughout primary schools, using traditional calligraphy to produce a distinctive, ornate hand.

Sheaffer and Lamy both offer options to use as introductions into the world of calligraphy.

http://www.penboutique.com/lamy-joy-calligraphy-fountain-pen-set-l15s.html
http://www.penboutique.com/lamy-joy-white-gift-set.html
http://www.penboutique.com/sheaffer-calligraphy-mini-kit.html
http://www.penboutique.com/sheaffer-calligraphy-maxi-kit.html

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Letter Writing Quotes

Never write a letter while you are angry.  ~Chinese Proverb

Then there's the joy of getting your desk clean, and knowing that all your letters are answered, and you can see the wood on it again.  ~Lady Bird Johnson

The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.  ~Walt Whitman

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison

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History of Collecting Autographs

The joy of collecting autographs on signed letters, books, memorabilia and good old fashioned autograph books has long been satisfying hobby for the serious and novice alike. In this fast-paced world of electronic communication personal collections of the past offer the unique satisfaction of holding pieces of history, quite literally, in our hands.

Autographs bring moments in time to life, often with incredible power. The window they open onto the past helps us better understand a person or event of importance to us. Autographs let us feel an individual's presence, experience his or her joy or sadness, inspiration or frustration, exultation or despair. In short, at their best, autographs convey the essence of an individual's personality. There are multiple clubs, magazines and blogs devoted to the subject.

For many people, collecting autographs is a stimulating and absorbing pastime. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, for example, often turned to his autograph collection as a distraction from the pressures of the presidency. Others find autographs a way to learn more about the people and circumstances that especially intrigue them. Some present autographs as memorable gifts, delighting in their recipients' pleasure at owning a memento of an admired individual.

The word autograph comes from Greek meaning to “self write". It is a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author as opposed to a typeset document or one written by a copyist the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.

Autograph also refers to a famous person's artistic signature; this term is used in particular for the practice of collecting autographs of celebrities. The hobby of collecting autographs is known as philography. What might be considered the oldest "autograph" is a clay table from about 3100 BC which includes the name of the scribe. No ancient written autographs have been found, and the earliest one known for a major historical figure is that of El Cid from 1098.

If you are the one providing the autograph, do yourself a favor and invest in a nice writing instrument. It doesn’t matter if the ink is blue or black, if the barrels is thick or thin, just choose something that you love and that makes you feel like an author!

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Calligraphy Definition

1.) Fancy penmanship, especially highly decorative handwriting, as with a great many flourishes.

2.) Handwriting; penmanship.

3.) The art of writing beautifully

4.) A script, usually cursive, although sometimes angular, produced chiefly by brush, especially Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic writing of high aesthetic value.

5.) Fine Arts. A line or a group of lines either derived from or resembling letter forms and characterized by qualities usually associated with cursive writing especially produced with a brush or pen.

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Penmanship for Holiday Season

Parker Red Sonnet Fountain Pen

In this fast paced world of new technology and busy days it is not often we get a reason to stop and reconnect to our traditions. Sending holiday cards allows us that excuse to connect. When carefully addressing aunt Betty's or cousin Bill's card we have the opportunity to not only use our best penmanship, it grants us permission to utilize our finest writing materials and ink. I enjoy getting into the spirit by using a red fountain pen and green ink. In the wonderful world of fountain pens there are many, many options of green ink to grace your cards and letters. Some of the most fitting green colored ink includes Diamine Evergreen, J.Herbin Vert Empire, Noodler's Polar Green, Montblanc Irish Green along with a multitude of others. One of my favorite descriptions of an appropriate green is the Pilot/Namiki Iroshizuku Forest Green: "It embodies the unchanging color of a dense evergreen forest in a long winter."

I have found my perfect pen & ink combo to script my holiday cards. The Parker Sonnet red lacquer gold trim fountain pen and Sailor Four Seasons Special Edition Tokiwa Matu Green bottled ink fit the task with bells ringing. The intensity if the green and the easy feel of the Sonnet complement each other in an exacting manner.

So take some time off from your baking and wrapping this year and choose the ideal fountain pen and bottled ink for you. If you realize that you enjoy the experience so much you decide to use it year long, for all your correspondence, your secret is safe with me. I won't tell Santa!

By Vicki M

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