Steps
2
Write less. A keyboard is much more efficient; a simple finger-tap forms an entire letter. Indeed, writer's calluses are noticeably less common as a result of the widespread use of keyboards nowadays.[
3
Hold your writing instrument correctly. Use the tip of the thumb and forefinger and the side of the first joint of the middle finger. Wrapping fingers around the pen or pencil tends to push the instrument against other fingers hard rather than just pushing it across the paper with a finger keeping it from slipping; having a knuckle against it compresses the skin in a small spot between the hard knobby knuckle and the writing instrument.
You may need to gently treat a callus that interferes with a proper grip.
4
Use a writing instrument with a big enough grip that it need not be squeezed hard not to slip, and preferably one that has a non-slip coating. For instance, a moderately fat pen, or a fatter than usual pencil. A pen or mechanical pencil with a rubber tube around the gripping area is best. Squishy foam is not necessary, though you might like the feel of it: the objective is not to enable squeezing the writing instrument hard (a waste of effort), but merely to keep much force from being needed to prevent it from slipping.
5
Use a writing instrument with a smooth surface rather than an angular one that can focus force. Round pencils and pens are better than hexagonal. If rolling away would be a problem, slip something light and not round over some part of them.
A ridged or grooved metal or hard plastic "non-slip" surface can be worse than a smooth surface: the way it reduces slipping is by focusing pressure to dig opposing grooves into the skin to push against, not by harmlessly increasing surface molecular attraction as a high-friction compound like rubber would.
6
Use a writing instrument that moves across the paper easily. Pens are better, especially fountain, roller-ball and gel types (which are more prone to leaking and smearing, however); all but very cheap ballpoint pens are OK. If you must use a pencil, a refillable mechanical one is best; the refillable plastic body can be made much better for a few dollars and the leads are much smoother. A medium or wide tip writing instrument is best because fine tips tend to dig into and drag on the paper, requiring more force.
A pressurized-cartridge pen such as a Space Pen[4keeps its ink always ready to write and so avoids the need to scratch the ball point against the surface until ink begins to flow. But, to avoid finger irritation over long-term use, avoid Space Pens with grooved metal grips.
A mechanical pencil that takes retractable, replaceable long erasers is very convenient.
Buy mechanical-pencil lead in quantity from discount office supply sellers for a good price – it is a simple product and should not cost a lot.
1
Recognize the cause. A writer's bump is caused by a pen or pencil rubbing, applying focused pressure or lateral force against, or otherwise irritating the finger. This damages the various layers of tissue, causing the body to protect itself with a tough but gross lump.[1] The use of thin pencils and pens seems to increase the chances of developing a writer's callus because the grip has to be that much tighter to manipulate it when writing.[2]- Don't simply remove a callus without addressing the underlying problem. You could risk a blister, or worse.
2
Write less. A keyboard is much more efficient; a simple finger-tap forms an entire letter. Indeed, writer's calluses are noticeably less common as a result of the widespread use of keyboards nowadays.[
3
Hold your writing instrument correctly. Use the tip of the thumb and forefinger and the side of the first joint of the middle finger. Wrapping fingers around the pen or pencil tends to push the instrument against other fingers hard rather than just pushing it across the paper with a finger keeping it from slipping; having a knuckle against it compresses the skin in a small spot between the hard knobby knuckle and the writing instrument.
4
Use a writing instrument with a big enough grip that it need not be squeezed hard not to slip, and preferably one that has a non-slip coating. For instance, a moderately fat pen, or a fatter than usual pencil. A pen or mechanical pencil with a rubber tube around the gripping area is best. Squishy foam is not necessary, though you might like the feel of it: the objective is not to enable squeezing the writing instrument hard (a waste of effort), but merely to keep much force from being needed to prevent it from slipping.
5
Use a writing instrument with a smooth surface rather than an angular one that can focus force. Round pencils and pens are better than hexagonal. If rolling away would be a problem, slip something light and not round over some part of them.
6
Use a writing instrument that moves across the paper easily. Pens are better, especially fountain, roller-ball and gel types (which are more prone to leaking and smearing, however); all but very cheap ballpoint pens are OK. If you must use a pencil, a refillable mechanical one is best; the refillable plastic body can be made much better for a few dollars and the leads are much smoother. A medium or wide tip writing instrument is best because fine tips tend to dig into and drag on the paper, requiring more force.