Quills (WASRe: Prof. Sinistra and pre-Hogwarts education)/OT

[frankielee242]

No: HPFGUIDX 41878

Meg wrote:
> I say: Are quills really that easy to use. Because I have horrible
>(left-handed) penmanship, I have been using fountain pens for years
to >make it slightly more readable. But I have never mastered using a
>quill. Even in my art classes, dip pens and quills were almost
>impossible for me to use. Fountain pens I was able to figure out but
I >don't see how it is quite that simple to just switch to a quill for
>Muggle-born or raised students.

It sounds to me like no one has ever shown you proper left-handed
calligraphic technique. It's an uphill battle, but once you get the
technique down, the rest is easy. Writing technique for a quill or
dip-pen for righties is not much different than writing in general,
but lefties have to completely change everything from how the paper is
placed to how their wrists bend. 

Since everyone at Hogwarts uses quills, students who've never used
them before would have plenty of teachers more than willing to help
them improve their penmanship. Teachers in general seem more than
willing to help students improve their penmanship, if memory serves...
JKR didn't write anything about it, but I'm sure part of the first
year students' homework is copying out the alphabet a couple of times.

BTW-- the paper involved is just as important as the ink. There is a
reason the Trio keep referring to parchment... Art and Drafting supply
store clerks can usually recommend specific paper brands, weights and
finishes that will give you the effects you and your quill are looking
for.


Frankie, who prints capital block letters out of kindness

PS. Meg and anyone else left-handed-- If you like, I can try to
explain lefty dip-pen technique via email. I'm a righty, but I taught
introductory drawing classes over the summers while I was working on
my BFA.