It might sound silly, but writing in the air actually employs the correct muscle groups for a proper handwriting technique contends Dyas Lawson, calligraphy teacher and handwriting coach. Donna Young, creator of Young Minds Printables and Resources for teaching at home, agrees, she advises air writing as an early writing activity for children. Your elbow should be bent, fingers, wrist and forearm unmoving as the arm and shoulder make the motions. Start with big letters. As this becomes comfortable reduce the size.
Lawson argues that the switch to pen and paper should begin with the following simple strokes in series: X, /, \, O, | and overlapped spirals. Don't draw the strokes, use the same muscle groups practiced with the air writing. Again, start big, make no effort towards beauty, just consistency and practice.
Lawson strongly encourages the practice of these strokes until they have even spacing, smooth strokes, are evenly spaced and uniform in size. He urges practice 15 minutes per day for several weeks. This one exercise teaches 4 out of McCandless' 5 points.
As the new method of forming simple strokes becomes more natural reduce the size and continue practicing in the same way. Lawson claims that at this point the practice will spill over to your handwriting and you will have no trouble incorporating the new techniques in your handwriting.
Maintain cognizance of the muscles you are using until cursive handwriting comes easily. Don't allow yourself to slip back into old habits. While on hold or doodling in meetings, allow yourself a few moments of penmanship practice to continue reinforcing the new techniques.