Reddit mentions of Rhodia Wirebound Pad 8.25x11.75, Lined, Orange

Resident Engrosser's/Copperplate here... As the others have said, fundamental's first and foremost! Stay away from making any crazy flourishes in the beginning. This will take a lot of time to learn to a somewhat efficient level and even more work to get to the next level after that.

• Guidelines, guidelines, guidelines. For the love of god, more guidelines. Your angles are all over the place right now. Engrosser's/Copperplate is at a consistent 45 degree angle. Please watch this video to understand how to properly use guidelines. It's essential to improving correctly.
  
  I made a large guideline sheet using some heavy watercolor paper laying and drawing (with a thin sharpie) the diagonal guidelines with a ruler and protractor. I highly suggest Rhodia paper as it's easy enough to see the guidelines through the sheet... It's exceptionally good paper that I use for practice all the time.
  
  Look on IAMPETH and the lessons below. Especially the videos by Joe Vitolo. It helped me to really understand the letter forms. And if you have the time, read through this post by /u/ThenWhenceComethEvil, who is currently studying to become a master penman. Very indepth beginner's information that are essentials.
  
  I can go more in depth about nibs/holders/ink, but we can save that for another time. Or I can answer those questions as well.
  
  Just remember to take things slowly. If you do want to continue to pursue the script, it will take a lot of patience. I've found each step of improvement very rewarding for myself, I hope you can continue on and don't give up!

That paper is going to be really heavy, more like cardstock. A 24-32lb copy paper might be more appropriate for day to day.

As for notebooks, take a look at the hardcover Black n' Red books or maybe something top wirebound? Until recently, I hadn't found a legal pad that worked well (then I found these) so I used Rhodia pads with the spiral on top, like so. Definitely lets you hold up with one hand and write with the other.

I don't user nicer paper for everyday use because frankly, I go too it too much to be constantly buying more, but I do keep a couple of nice notebooks for special purposes.

1. A Moleskine notebook/journal that I fill with quotes using different nice pens. These quotes can be from famous people or just someone close to me, but they're good to look through for inspiration/motivation when I need it.
   
   
2. For similar purposes as #1, I have a Rhodia notepad where I write down all the milestones I want to achieve and have achieved in my life as a sort of "checklist."
   
   Here are the links to the aforementioned:
   
   Rhodia notepad (in hindsight I wish I'd bought the wirebound one, but I got mine from my university bookstore on sale along time ago).
   
   Moleskine (you could probably get the same quality paper for cheaper btw, Moleskine is definitely nice but usually considered a tad overpriced for what it is).