Using a pen or pencil for journaling is subjective. They both have pros and cons. Pens are permanent; pencil lines can be erased. Pencils offer variations of shades, but pens come in different colors. The content of the journaling and personal preference are the determining factors.
You can keep your pencil notes from smudging by changing how you hold your hand against the page, putting a piece of paper under your hand when writing, and using a harder pencil. When your notes are finished, you can spray them with a fixative, like a hairspray, or interleave them with wax paper.
A fountain pen can definitely improve your handwriting. It slows the pace, so you’ve time to shape characters consciously and make more deliberate pen strokes. It gives you greater control than a slippery ballpoint, leading to improved consistency. You also use less pressure, so your hand is not so fatigued.
Handwriting and calligraphy are separate skills, but learning calligraphy can improve your handwriting if you let it. Deliberately applying calligraphy techniques to your handwriting will improve your pen control, pen grip, letter consistency, neatness, spacing, and flow of your writing.
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