Great article. I have experienced how effective writing by hand is. I have limited use of my hands after 2 spinal collapses in the past decade. This forced me to never type again. Every online post or publication began by handwriting it in a journal and then dictating it. I rarely have writers’ block now.
I loved this so much. The way you describe writing by hand as effortful rather than efficient really resonated with me. There’s something deeply calming and clarifying about slowing the body down so the mind can move forward. The idea of thinking forward instead of constantly editing backward especially struck a chord. This feels like an invitation to reconnect with writing as a physical, mindful act, not just a digital task. Thank you for such a thoughtful and reassuring piece🙏🏼
You make a really strong case that echoes so much of my experience, plus when you commit ink to paper, it is ever-so-slightly more slow time than keyboard to screen, whereby you’re permitted an extra second or two to ‘edit’ a thought, phrase, sentence in draft which makes the process of ‘pen to paper’ seem more valuable & effective.
I do like to write longhand, but to "write" I seem to need to type. That's how I think better. But, interestingly, I broke my right arm 2 years ago, so I had to teach myself to write left handed. Now I usually write left handed, as it looks so different from my "regular" handwriting. It isn't as fast, but I do like it and I read somewhere that it involves a different part of the brain. It has become my party trick to be ambidextrous. Not that it is a big deal, but I like it.
Yep. The point is to push the writer's block...literally. I especially used to love those multicolor pens to take notes in college. These days, I just grab whatever pen is within reach and just go. Stream of consciousness type writing gets the momentum going. Once the block moves, it immediately starts getting smaller. Just the sheer friction against your mind is enough.
And yes, the proof that you actually wrote it is a solid perk!
I have stacks of paper pads, nice ones that are easier to write on, and a supply of black and blue gel pens scattered all over my house. The car and my purse have small note pads and more gel pens, so I have what I need when something pops into my head.
I have a large bowl we bought from a potter in NC that holds all those little scraps of paper! Now that I'm using dictation more, I should just read them into Word and be done with it!
I have a trick for this. I put everything into one notebook. When that notebook is not at hand when I have a brainwave, I write on anything to hand--envelope, back of a receipt, anything papery, and then ----I tape the note into the master notebook when I have a chance. So the thing that popped into my head is still where I can find it.
Love this. I definitely tap into different parts of my brain when I write by hand instead of typing - especially a journal entry. For me, it tends to be less on the surface of what's going on with me and I find I can delve much deeper. The must though for me is a decent quality fountain pen to do this...
It's been a long time since I wrote an article by hand. Every morning I handwrite my gratitude list and to-do list. Sometimes I handwrite in my journal.
Stace, I love this and wholeheartedly agree. Two game changers for me that might be beneficial to those reading are:
1) Frixion erasable pens. I’ve NEVER liked erasable pens until I found these. They erase 100%, with no mess or smudging. They write smoothly and they have refillable cartridges. I’ve bought on Amazon or at Target.
2) a Page-Up paper holder. It looks like 3/4 of a golf ball with a flat bottom and a curved slit for the page to sit vertically on your desk by the computer. They’re cheap so I own a few for the office and home.
I said two things, but a third is a clipboard that opens like an old school pee-chee. It’s great to clip paper on with a hard surface and you can workout on a treadmill or elliptical and have in front of you to jot notes down on or read drafts of your pieces.
These are great suggestions! Thank you so much! I am currently using a metal, foldable book stand, since I have to prop open a whole notebook. I don't think the golfball ones would work?
Great article, thank you. I wish I could write by hand but I no longer can due to arthritis.
Well, I am the same—-next month I’ll be doing a guest post in the handwriting pub on just that subject
Thank you for letting me know. Sorry you have to deal with arthritis too.
Great article. I have experienced how effective writing by hand is. I have limited use of my hands after 2 spinal collapses in the past decade. This forced me to never type again. Every online post or publication began by handwriting it in a journal and then dictating it. I rarely have writers’ block now.
I loved this so much. The way you describe writing by hand as effortful rather than efficient really resonated with me. There’s something deeply calming and clarifying about slowing the body down so the mind can move forward. The idea of thinking forward instead of constantly editing backward especially struck a chord. This feels like an invitation to reconnect with writing as a physical, mindful act, not just a digital task. Thank you for such a thoughtful and reassuring piece🙏🏼
Thank you so much! I am glad it resonated. <3
You make a really strong case that echoes so much of my experience, plus when you commit ink to paper, it is ever-so-slightly more slow time than keyboard to screen, whereby you’re permitted an extra second or two to ‘edit’ a thought, phrase, sentence in draft which makes the process of ‘pen to paper’ seem more valuable & effective.
Thank you so much for reading! That extra second or two can make all the difference, can't it?
I do like to write longhand, but to "write" I seem to need to type. That's how I think better. But, interestingly, I broke my right arm 2 years ago, so I had to teach myself to write left handed. Now I usually write left handed, as it looks so different from my "regular" handwriting. It isn't as fast, but I do like it and I read somewhere that it involves a different part of the brain. It has become my party trick to be ambidextrous. Not that it is a big deal, but I like it.
I like it, too. And I read a similar thing—that writing with your non-dominant hand taps into personality traits you may not be aware of.
That's really interesting! I may have to try left-handed writing just to see what happens.
Yep. The point is to push the writer's block...literally. I especially used to love those multicolor pens to take notes in college. These days, I just grab whatever pen is within reach and just go. Stream of consciousness type writing gets the momentum going. Once the block moves, it immediately starts getting smaller. Just the sheer friction against your mind is enough.
And yes, the proof that you actually wrote it is a solid perk!
I love the image of the friction of pen and paper causing friction in the mind as well. Thanks for reading!
Great post Stace!
I have stacks of paper pads, nice ones that are easier to write on, and a supply of black and blue gel pens scattered all over my house. The car and my purse have small note pads and more gel pens, so I have what I need when something pops into my head.
It's so helpful to have multiple pads or notebooks around. Of course, then you have to remember which one you left your note in....
I have a large bowl we bought from a potter in NC that holds all those little scraps of paper! Now that I'm using dictation more, I should just read them into Word and be done with it!
Having been a potter for more than 10 years, I’m a great admirer of good bowls. :)
I'd love to see your work! I don't create them; I collect them!
I post pieces once in a while—I have an entire roomful of my pottery.
I have a trick for this. I put everything into one notebook. When that notebook is not at hand when I have a brainwave, I write on anything to hand--envelope, back of a receipt, anything papery, and then ----I tape the note into the master notebook when I have a chance. So the thing that popped into my head is still where I can find it.
That’s a brilliant time-saver!
Love this. I definitely tap into different parts of my brain when I write by hand instead of typing - especially a journal entry. For me, it tends to be less on the surface of what's going on with me and I find I can delve much deeper. The must though for me is a decent quality fountain pen to do this...
I think discovering fountain pens really made the whole writing by hand thing work for me, too.
Do you write anything by hand? If so, what? ✍🏻
It's been a long time since I wrote an article by hand. Every morning I handwrite my gratitude list and to-do list. Sometimes I handwrite in my journal.
I do morning pages daily, and I have actually started a new novel by hand. Don't ask me how it's going yet as I've only got one chapter done so far!
I couldn't imagine writing a book by hand. 🤯
I hear that! Seems daunting.
Stace, I love this and wholeheartedly agree. Two game changers for me that might be beneficial to those reading are:
1) Frixion erasable pens. I’ve NEVER liked erasable pens until I found these. They erase 100%, with no mess or smudging. They write smoothly and they have refillable cartridges. I’ve bought on Amazon or at Target.
2) a Page-Up paper holder. It looks like 3/4 of a golf ball with a flat bottom and a curved slit for the page to sit vertically on your desk by the computer. They’re cheap so I own a few for the office and home.
I said two things, but a third is a clipboard that opens like an old school pee-chee. It’s great to clip paper on with a hard surface and you can workout on a treadmill or elliptical and have in front of you to jot notes down on or read drafts of your pieces.
I hope this is helpful.
These are great suggestions! Thank you so much! I am currently using a metal, foldable book stand, since I have to prop open a whole notebook. I don't think the golfball ones would work?
Those golf-bally things are magical!