[Boris]

Me? I write with my wrist, and I realized this today after deciding to write in a journal I have after a few days of thinking what I write with. I as because I recently read on several websites that you should write with your shoulder because it is supposed to help you write more legibly, and that it won't make you sore or fatigue as soon or as much as writing with your fingers; unfortunately, I don't remember most of my sources, but here is one: 8 easy tips to improve your handwriting
It is an old website published in 2011. Another website mention that it helps those who have carpal tunnel write because it doesn't hurt a lot.

Anyone with Carpal tunnel wanna give that a try? It does take practice, though... I tried... and... well... uh... it made my writing look less pleasant, but that's because I rushed it. I still need to practice writing with my shoulder.

[Tohopekaliga]

Hadn't thought about it before, but I use my shoulder mostly, and a bit of elbow. Interesting to think about.

[Serra Britt]

Probably mostly with my wrist, even when drawing. I know I'm supposed to move more at the elbow and shoulder, but I think I have a lot of practice to do before that becomes natural.

It's pretty much the same with writing for me. Stuff sure looks better if I use my whole arm though.

[Kaderin Triste]

I wasn't sure so I actually had to test. I write mostly with my shoulder, but a little bit with my wrist depending on factors like paper size and how close to the bottom of the paper I am.

[Espy]

I do a lot of art (sketches, doodling, mostly), so most of my writing posture derives from my art posture. I generally use my wrist, elbow, and shoulder equally, but if I'm trying to write quickly and I'm stressed (eg exams), my shoulder tends to lock up, and then my wrist gets overworked and starts hurting afterwards.

Also happens if I'm doing a pencil drawing and I'm trying to not smudge shit.

[SparX]

I keep my wrist straight when writing or drawing generally, and move at the elbow . . .
I had to sit there and test it out also XD My hubby realized he bends and moves at his wrist.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Serra Britt

Probably mostly with my wrist, even when drawing. I know I'm supposed to move more at the elbow and shoulder, but I think I have a lot of practice to do before that becomes natural.

It's pretty much the same with writing for me. Stuff sure looks better if I use my whole arm though.

Of course, it does take practice, but... I heard it's not supposed to take too long... you're supposed to notice your improvement. I practiced yesterday, but my practice won't mean anything if I'm not writing on a table or anything.

Originally Posted by Espy

I do a lot of art (sketches, doodling, mostly), so most of my writing posture derives from my art posture. I generally use my wrist, elbow, and shoulder equally, but if I'm trying to write quickly and I'm stressed (eg exams), my shoulder tends to lock up, and then my wrist gets overworked and starts hurting afterwards.

Also happens if I'm doing a pencil drawing and I'm trying to not smudge shit.

I write quickly with my wrist as well... I tried doing that while practicing with my shoulder... but it didn't turn out too well... it didn't turn out well at all.

Originally Posted by Sparx

I keep my wrist straight when writing or drawing generally, and move at the elbow . . .
I had to sit there and test it out also XD My hubby realized he bends and moves at his wrist.

Wristers unite!

On a serious note, I haven't heard much of people using their elbows.

[Potironette]

Wrist and fingers. But when I think about it, how does writing with shoulders work for centimeter-sized alphabets :o?

[Boris]

Easy! The same way you make giant letters, just not moving your shoulder as much as you would for giant letters.

[Yokuutsu]

How is it supposed to be more legible through your shoulder?

It's fine muscle control which you have with your wrist and fingers, not the shoulder that should control that .-.

[Coda]

It seems I write... almost entirely with my fingers, with the tiniest bit of wrist motion.

[Potironette]

While I was taking a test today, I realized I had my wrist locked and basically wrote with my elbow. Turns out I write with my elbow I guess!

...Huh, I just realized that if I moved my shoulder up and down by centimeters I could probably write with it.

[Quiet Man Cometh]

Judging by what aches after a while, my fingers. It's posture dependent though, also affected by what I'm writing on and where my pen is on the paper. I use more elbow when I'm at the top of the page than the bottom, probably for space.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Coda

It seems I write... almost entirely with my fingers, with the tiniest bit of wrist motion.

I never heard that before, so I'm curious to see how that's done.

Originally Posted by Potironette

While I was taking a test today, I realized I had my wrist locked and basically wrote with my elbow. Turns out I write with my elbow I guess!

...Huh, I just realized that if I moved my shoulder up and down by centimeters I could probably write with it.

You probably can... I haven't been practicing writing with my shoulder.

Originally Posted by Quiet Man Cometh

Judging by what aches after a while, my fingers. It's posture dependent though, also affected by what I'm writing on and where my pen is on the paper. I use more elbow when I'm at the top of the page than the bottom, probably for space.

Hmm, that's interesting... I wanna round everybody up to see how they write.

Originally Posted by Yokuutsu

How is it supposed to be more legible through your shoulder?

It's fine muscle control which you have with your wrist and fingers, not the shoulder that should control that .-.

I can't explain it. I'm just repeating what I read, but I think it does help if you have carpel tunnel or something.

[Coda]

I'd never heard of it either until I paid attention to what I was actually doing. Might explain why my handwriting is so bad or why my hand starts to hurt if I'm writing for a long time. (Paying a bit more attention, it looks like I pivot at the elbow and keep my wrist straight for the purposes of moving around the page.)

[Boris]

An upside to writing with your shoulder is that if you write for a long time, it won't hurt as early as your hand and wrist would. Just a question... would you practice writing with your shoulder with me if we actually knew each other?