The Flow of Cursive Writing

"A good penman can make rivers that race to the sea, rivers as wild and dizzy as a flume in the Alps, as choppy as the Isarco, as wide and smooth as the Tiber at Ostia, or as deep as the Po where it rolls into the Adriatic."   - from A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin

A meditative state results when writing in cursive. Both sides of the brain feel the stimulation. The hand moves to energize the brain's logical side. Letters form words in artful flow from the right side's intuitive cells. Integration of both sides occurs as a result. The physical process of writing connects the writer on a sensual level.  

Cursive writing has become a lost art. Children today do not learn it as a requirement in elementary school. Many individuals do not even know what a fountain pen looks like.

Technology requires the fingers to push keys on computers, cell phones and ATM machines. A world of total keyboard input might work for everyone but writers. A pen gripped by fingers stimulates creativity and lets out the magic of words..

When writing with a fountain pen, the wetness of the ink drying on the page reflects a scent of its own. Feeling the elegance of writing and seeing the splash of color adds to the creative flow. Mindful moments with a pen slow and focus thoughts. 

Since childhood, I've considered fountain pens my ponies. My mind has ridden bareback. Without use of a bridle or saddle, a variety of pens behave with finger pressure. Turquoise, emerald, magenta, and sunshine flow from my thoroughbreds, Morgans, quarters and an Arabian or trail pony. The mustangs and stallions often buck the surface for new ideas. Lippizan stallions dance their air ballet.

These fountain pony pens combine with textured paper to push a progression of ideas. Ink on both rough and slick surfaces increases in speed for creativity capture. It slows to corral emotions and thoughts to ponder. Movement to cross a T or dot an i stays fluid without breaking the spell of rhythm and progress.

Cursive writing adds a magical quality to the writing process. 

Hand write a favorite passage or poem with a roller ball or fountain pen. Take time to form the letters, find a rhythm and feel the flow. Discover how this process adds nuances to your writing.

As fingers blend with swirls, loops, and angles of letters, relaxation of the mind occurs. 

The rhythm moves the writer away from the rapidity of life's requests that bombard the psyche. 

Return to your emotional core and connect by thinking and writing with a pen. Without a fountain pen, try any pen that flows. Avoid the use of a pencil.

Experience a freewrite for ten minutes. Find self-reflection in ink.

Want some help? A very nice blog on improving your handwriting with a great practice sheet is available here: https://thepostmansknock.com/8-tips-improve-your-handwriting/.