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I'm looking for some advice on using the swami. I'm trying to write a prediction through a window envelope but am comming across a few problems. Firstly I just can't seem to write in a straight line, does anyone else have this problem and how do you get around it? Secondly the motion of my hand during the writing makes it all very obvious what I'm up to. Is there anyway that I can do the writing without the hand moving so much? Or does the audience just not notice this?

There are some excellent tips for handing these things in the first of Corinda's Thirteen Steps.

As a starter, though... how much are you trying to write?

Granted, many of the most experienced performers can produce entire books on a business card with these things, but most of us mere mortals need to keep things a little more modest.

Especially if you're starting out, try condensing it to the minimum number of characters.

If the target is a playing card, use 'AS' instead of 'Ace of Spades', for example. Or ask the spectator to think of a two-digit number or geometric shape.

I certainly wouldn't attempt 'nice to see you to see you nice' unless both I and the spectator were very very drunk.

Again to re-iterate I would use no more than 4 letters/numbers and 5 max but I do tend to stick to 2 or 3 as much as possible but that's just me. Another good way to practise that I found was to start doing pocket writing when I was out just for practise of course (I know either 13 steps or practical mental magic contain something on this just not sure which one) because pocket writing is harder I found once you have this reasonably good it's pretty easy to use a swami in the open because it's naturally a bit easier. Also you are killing 2 birds with one stone because you are learning both . This may not work for everyone but my unconventional ideas seem to work for me.

That's some good advice above. As well as keeping what you're writing sort, try keeping your hands low when you write and do the writing on an off beat or during a moment of misdirection.

If you want to perform straight away (while practising writing in private) an alternative is to use the gimmick to tick, circle or otherwise mark a choice in a list (for example).

I've never used a swami so can I temporarily hijack this thread (you can have it back in a minute )

What's the best swami to get?

I think it's probably one of those things of personal preference. I've got a vernet boon writer which I think is the best for me. A lot of people say that the TT type is good, but getting a TT to fit me is a nightmare at the best of times so I chose the boon.

Lady of Mystery wrote:A lot of people say that the TT type is good, but getting a TT to fit me is a nightmare at the best of times so I chose the boon.

Seconded.

I don't like the idea of TT swamis as I struggle finding one to match my skin tone.

I think I'll take a look at vernons boon

I also have Vernets boon seems to work best for me

Ive yet to find the perfect one. Lincons boon is close.

I do offer a solution to this problem in Smoking, which you might find of use.

daleshrimpton wrote:Ive yet to find teh perfect one. Lincons boon is close.

I've heard a lot about this device and even found his website once (lost it again now). Anyone know the URL?

http://www.lincolnworld.com/products/

I've ordered Lincoln's boon and should have it in a week or so. It looks nicely designed from what I saw on his DVD, so I live in hope.

I think it was Iain on another site that mentioned Piatt's Scarab, sold by Ronjo's. I've tried that too, and it's nice, but for some reason it's the only such device that's ever been 'spotted' (thankfully only by my wife on a practice run). I think it might have something to do with its metallic sheen.

Vernet's boon is okay. I use them quite often, but keep losing them. I'm banking on the idea that the Lincoln boon will be more cost-effective in the long-run, as it has its own measures in place to reduce the risk of loss.

As with Lady of Mystery, I rarely find a TT that fits snugly, and so a TT writer wouldn't work well for me. I did find a junior-size one at Dude That's Cool Magic. It's a better fit than most, but the lead itself is very messy, and I can't think of a practical way to conceal it about my person without getting covered in graphite.

And as for the under-nail type, I always seem to find that my nails are either too short or filed to the wrong shape for a good fit, and haven't got the patience to treat my nails like bonsai...

Pete

pcwells wrote:http://www.lincolnworld.com/products/

Ah, many thanks to you and Dale.

pcwells wrote:As with Lady of Mystery, I rarely find a TT that fits snugly, and so a TT writer wouldn't work well for me. I did find a junior-size one at Dude That's Cool Magic. It's a better fit than most, but the lead itself is very messy, and I can't think of a practical way to conceal it about my person without getting covered in graphite.

I use a small paper envelope.