This profound meditation upon hand-writing and showing us this beautiful book is both 'stirring'-makes me want to hand-write in a way that bears a certain beauty- as my actual handwriting has fallen into the pit of 'scrawl'...and also does make me sad as my work-a-day world calls less and less for the 'hand-written' and the space and time in which to hand-write seems smaller and smaller...
The essence of expression is the wellspring of the arts. The eloquence of how, we express ourselves is uniquely reflected in personal style, writing, speaking, attire, gestures, etc. The handwritten word can be graceful or chaotic and everything in between. We determine what to share and with whom.
We are dreams sandwiched in between the shadows and highlights.
Thank you, Jesse. I love the affirmation and I love handwriting too. I have practiced Chinese calligraphy— using ink and brush is so exhilarating. I learned that some calligraphy cannot be read. That knowlege gave me sommuch freedom. Thank you for sharing the book.
It’s thrilling (!) to see that we are here, we who still love handwritten letters and notes. Thank you for sharing your joy with us. I recognize that feeling of not quite experiencing my own life as intensely as pre-internet. I grew up with dozens of penpals and wrote and wrote and wrote.
I use Magic a lot too. Because it is really everywhere. In the way you got the book, in the way you find the quotes you need for your article. But also how I come upon this, and you will read this. Sometimes it’s just a shiver, it leads nowhere. But most often it opens up a little speck in the universe, and we can see through it and go oooohhhh. 🥰
Thank you for writing about this incredible book. I just checked it out from the library and it is an utter treasure trove. I will have to get it for a birthday present for myself!
Handwriting is magical indeed. Watching words form on paper is much more satisfying than tapping at my screen. I have many notebooks over the years and most times I can tell what my mood was by size and slant of my handwriting.
An interesting thing happened to me recently when I read my Haiku Year journal from 2006. I was able to recollect the day just reading a haiku entry. Little moments that might have been lost were remembered.
After reading your piece on Joan of Arc I was gazing at images of her three signatures, the closest thing we have to relics of her. If her body had not been burned, perhaps her devotees would have preserved her hand. Instead we have a record of her hand's movement - so fascinating to look at!
I like handwriting a lot more than typing but I do find it hard to write well consistently! But I think I like it so much better because of the being/watching balance being more balanced out when writing by hand! Such a great concept - I have never thought about writing in that way but the being/watching balance shift is definitely something I have noticed for quite some time and try to not let it take over. I think even children now do a lot more watching sadly these days....
I relate to your relationship with writing. As I watch my hand move the pen each morning, the ink flowing dark on the creamy page, I marvel at my thoughts floating from my mind, swimming down through my arm, pouring out my fingertips, into the pen to become visible for another to “watch” one day. Speaking my truth is difficult for me. Writing seems to carry my voice. Thank you 🙏🏼
Jesse, I can tell you that Maestro John Williams writes all personal notes in his own hand, as well as all music notation and orchestrations by hand in their entirety. Nothing is written electronically: he uses his favorite Blackwing pencils.
Hi Jesse, for starters I have loved all your information and thoughts on handwriting. It’s a pleasure to read, to look at your photos and follow the links. I read the comments and sometimes look at someone’s recommendation. Recently vr who mentioned her handwriting ‘lessons’ with Cherrell Avery… amazing 🤩
I’ve always thought my handwriting was fairly hopeless, childish and messy when younger.. and like some others here have mentioned - school 🏫 def influenced - I would say I failed to stick to a particular style… but at the time ‘of gaining a pen licence’ had to deal with ink cartridge pens and I was a messy kid! I was very relieved when the biro was introduced… however, think the damage was done!! 🤔😉My handwriting has definitely changed over the decades and I have been aware that that actually reflects very well the changes in me, as a person. For example when I returned to study in my late 40’s my handwriting became fast and scrawly - my own version of shorthand (and how I wished I knew that skill) the Laptop was becoming more prevalent but still very ‘new’ and how I envied the few in class who were touch typing like a breeze!
How things change over time - This segues very well into your topic that really stopped me in my tracks, and that was ‘lost and found’ … in fact I’m still thinking on this, so thank you🙏
Ahh, I get a daily affirmation emailed to me and this is the one I just got for today Feb 6:
“In this moment, I choose to
open my heart and surrender
to the perfect timing of the
Universe. I surrender and let
things naturally happen. I am
letting the magic enter my life."
This profound meditation upon hand-writing and showing us this beautiful book is both 'stirring'-makes me want to hand-write in a way that bears a certain beauty- as my actual handwriting has fallen into the pit of 'scrawl'...and also does make me sad as my work-a-day world calls less and less for the 'hand-written' and the space and time in which to hand-write seems smaller and smaller...
Genesis P-Orridge probably isn't in Pedro Corrêa do Lago's book The Magic of Handwriting and that's a shame. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9u-gzZgb0P/
Great read by the way!
The essence of expression is the wellspring of the arts. The eloquence of how, we express ourselves is uniquely reflected in personal style, writing, speaking, attire, gestures, etc. The handwritten word can be graceful or chaotic and everything in between. We determine what to share and with whom.
We are dreams sandwiched in between the shadows and highlights.
Thank you, Jesse. I love the affirmation and I love handwriting too. I have practiced Chinese calligraphy— using ink and brush is so exhilarating. I learned that some calligraphy cannot be read. That knowlege gave me sommuch freedom. Thank you for sharing the book.
It’s thrilling (!) to see that we are here, we who still love handwritten letters and notes. Thank you for sharing your joy with us. I recognize that feeling of not quite experiencing my own life as intensely as pre-internet. I grew up with dozens of penpals and wrote and wrote and wrote.
A while back I attempted to create a project called ‘The Handwritten Newsletter’ here in my Substack, take a look if you like. But what I came by to share was this story about my grandfather, Bruno, and his last postcard to me. https://open.substack.com/pub/acabinetofcuriosities/p/nothing-new?r=bu9kr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I use Magic a lot too. Because it is really everywhere. In the way you got the book, in the way you find the quotes you need for your article. But also how I come upon this, and you will read this. Sometimes it’s just a shiver, it leads nowhere. But most often it opens up a little speck in the universe, and we can see through it and go oooohhhh. 🥰
Thank you for writing about this incredible book. I just checked it out from the library and it is an utter treasure trove. I will have to get it for a birthday present for myself!
Handwriting is magical indeed. Watching words form on paper is much more satisfying than tapping at my screen. I have many notebooks over the years and most times I can tell what my mood was by size and slant of my handwriting.
An interesting thing happened to me recently when I read my Haiku Year journal from 2006. I was able to recollect the day just reading a haiku entry. Little moments that might have been lost were remembered.
Watching a bee being helps me be a being being. 🐝
After reading your piece on Joan of Arc I was gazing at images of her three signatures, the closest thing we have to relics of her. If her body had not been burned, perhaps her devotees would have preserved her hand. Instead we have a record of her hand's movement - so fascinating to look at!
I like handwriting a lot more than typing but I do find it hard to write well consistently! But I think I like it so much better because of the being/watching balance being more balanced out when writing by hand! Such a great concept - I have never thought about writing in that way but the being/watching balance shift is definitely something I have noticed for quite some time and try to not let it take over. I think even children now do a lot more watching sadly these days....
I relate to your relationship with writing. As I watch my hand move the pen each morning, the ink flowing dark on the creamy page, I marvel at my thoughts floating from my mind, swimming down through my arm, pouring out my fingertips, into the pen to become visible for another to “watch” one day. Speaking my truth is difficult for me. Writing seems to carry my voice. Thank you 🙏🏼
Beautiful and thoughtful post. I love this daily affirmation as I am running to catch up this week.
Jesse, I can tell you that Maestro John Williams writes all personal notes in his own hand, as well as all music notation and orchestrations by hand in their entirety. Nothing is written electronically: he uses his favorite Blackwing pencils.
Ohh wow, I love this! Thank you for sharing :) That is a lot of great work! And those Blackwing pencils are nice. :)
Please join me in wishing him a happy 92nd birthday today!
Love your post Jesse, thank you truly. I’m loving all your posts👍🩷They always leave me (us?) with so much to think about and ponder 🤔
As well as your dear mother and your substack community. Setting for tea ceremonies!
Yes
Thank you so very much! I am so grateful. Is there any topic you would want to explore in particular? Thank you!
Hi Jesse, for starters I have loved all your information and thoughts on handwriting. It’s a pleasure to read, to look at your photos and follow the links. I read the comments and sometimes look at someone’s recommendation. Recently vr who mentioned her handwriting ‘lessons’ with Cherrell Avery… amazing 🤩
I’ve always thought my handwriting was fairly hopeless, childish and messy when younger.. and like some others here have mentioned - school 🏫 def influenced - I would say I failed to stick to a particular style… but at the time ‘of gaining a pen licence’ had to deal with ink cartridge pens and I was a messy kid! I was very relieved when the biro was introduced… however, think the damage was done!! 🤔😉My handwriting has definitely changed over the decades and I have been aware that that actually reflects very well the changes in me, as a person. For example when I returned to study in my late 40’s my handwriting became fast and scrawly - my own version of shorthand (and how I wished I knew that skill) the Laptop was becoming more prevalent but still very ‘new’ and how I envied the few in class who were touch typing like a breeze!
How things change over time - This segues very well into your topic that really stopped me in my tracks, and that was ‘lost and found’ … in fact I’m still thinking on this, so thank you🙏
I love handwriting and quite like my own
Yayyy I love that <3