Creativity Now, 2nd Edition

Go back to pen and paper

THE PRINCIPLE

Reconnecting your hand and your brain stimulates creativity

How long has it been since you’ve written anything by hand? For most people it has been a long time, and for the current generation of youngsters it’s becoming almost a lost art. Even the tradition of passing notes in class now happens in the form of texts between mobiles. But it may be that what we gain in ease and speed, we lose in terms of the direct connection between head and hand.

In an article in New York magazine, Sam Anderson put it this way: ‘Handwriting makes one’s relationship to words intensely personal.’

Poet Robert Graves observed, ‘A true poet’s handwriting corresponds with his inimitable personal rhythm.’

You don’t have to be ...