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I write with both hands, so maybe I can explain some of the issues that I run into with left-handed writing, and how it differs from my experience with my right
by usui 7y ago
I write with both hands, so maybe I can explain some of the issues that I run into with left-handed writing, and how it differs from my experience with my right hand. This is a topic I have thought about greatly.
Left-handed writing, as a core difference from which all other differences stem, has you pushing on the page, which would make a right-handed writer feel uncomfortable since it is never a muscle that needs to be used for the latter. This results in shaky or crooked writing.
Another experience I have from pushing during left-handed writing is that my hand tires faster, as I try to switch between "bent-inward" index finger and relaxed index finger, which I use interchangeably depending on how much fine control I need. Using the bipod or "index and thumb" grip helps for fatigue, but it loses precision.
Finally there is the angle of the palm which varies greatly among left-handed writers, which is how do I rotate the paper so that I don't smudge my writing, or so that I can see my writing as I go? The more the paper is rotated, the more uncomfortable it gets, but it has utility. Here are some nice diagrams on the variations: http://www.musanim.com/mam/lefthand.htm http://www.musanim.com/mam/lefthand.htm
For right-handed writing, most of these are never a concern for me. My right hand "pulls" on the page in the rightward direction and I never have to rotate the page in order to align with the writing line. Writing comes by pointing the pencil where I want it to go and then "moving" it right, rather than for left-handed writing I have to push "right and forward".
The rise of writing on tablet computers has improved the writing experience for left-handed writers by a significant amount because it can pan, zoom, and rotate as necessary. Still there remains the issue of having to push.
So if I can choose to use my right hand to write at all, why would I use my left hand? This may be a placebo effect, but I find that using my left hand to write allowed me to soak in concepts and let them ruminate as I write the notes. It becomes a more "personal" attachment to the notes I'm taking, whereas right-handed helped produce as much writing as needed.
One advantage with left-handed writing comes when using a tablet. Many notetaking apps such as "Goodnotes 5" do not present a color wheel to appear at where your pencil is pointing. The color palette stays fixed at the top right corner. Having to change color rapidly but keep the pencil in the same place is possible by using my right finger to change the color. And if I have to use the tools stuck at the top left corner, I switch to writing with my right hand and use my left hand for tool selection.
Finally, one nichr benefit from using both hands to write is simultaneous two-handed writing. Once can produce writing faster by using both hands to write at the same time if you can visualize ahead fast enough. It also helps when using two different pen colors (red + blue) simultaneously. It would be great if I could think in parallel and write notes in two different topics or languages at once.
I wonder if there are any other ambidextrous writers on here who can also weigh in with their experience.