How to Write a Check

Perhaps this should be a question. Today It took 6 tries before I wrote the check correctly. Twice I put the dollar amount in the Pay to the order space. I signed my name where the amount should be. I wrote the wrong date and when I thought I had finally had it correct-I wrote the wrong last name. Finally on the 6th attempt I got it, but the numbers had smeared.
I never write checks. I'll write a few at the beginning of the school year, then about 4 per month. It is just easier to swipe the debit card or pay bills on-line. Now I need to order checks. Six in one day, at this rate I'll need checks sooner then I thought.