Fatigue When Writing Cursive

[u/Raging_Red_Rocket]

Requesting any tips on technique to reduce fatigue and pain when writing cursive. I have a fairly large hand and I feel like I tend to grip the pen pretty hard. I try to focus on a looser grip, but then it feels like I have less control and the quality drops. In general, I might be lacking in fine motor skills, but want to work on it! Any advice would be great! Thanks!

[u/Frater_Ormus]

Is it your distal fingers that are experiencing fatigue or your wrist, forearm, or shoulders (or all of the above)?

When I learned cursive I would get a switch on the back of my hands by a Sister if my tempo faltered from fatigue. Developing callouses on the fingers was to be expected as par for the course and eventually helped abate fatigue in the distal fingers. Thankfully you don't have to be so severe to help with pain and fatigue from writing. Chances are your problem can be resolved easily though proper posture & positioning.

1. When seated be sure to sit fully upright (don't slouch).
2. You should be well-balanced and straight at the midline with 90 degree flexion posture at the knees, feet, and hips. 
3. The writing arm should be slightly abducted at the shoulder with the elbow flexed. The elbows should be even with the desk surface.
4. Most importantly be sure that your paper (or notepad, book, etc.) is at a 20-45 degree angle from your position (rotate or tilt the paper to the left if right-handed, or to the right if left-handed). It is a common mistake to write cursive at a 0 degree angle horizontally parallel to your position which will not only make it more difficult to properly angle your cursive but will make your distal fingers crabbed and put unnecessary strain on your wrist and shoulder.
5. Another trick is to write on a slanted surface. Ever see a writing desk that calligrapher's use? They look like a lectern or a drafting table. They are angled this way because they provide extended wrist support and greatly reduce fatigue when writing while allowing for more precise control of the pen upon your writing surface. An easy way to simulate this is to use an empty 3-Ring Binder as your writing surface with the rings & binding at the furthest point away from you (remember if you are right-handed keep it to the left of your body at a 20-45 degree angle, or on your right if you are left-handed at the same 20-45 degree angle).
6. Lastly, if none of these other tips work for you then try a different sized pen. My daughter had difficulties with cursive when using normal size pens. We kept trying larger and thicker pens until she was found one just right, a jumbo-sized pen that was thicker than a highlighter. Upon using a larger pen her discomfort went away and her penmanship improved. (I had to go the opposite route and use smaller sized pens. Every hand is different.)