1. A method of processing pointer input, comprising: providing a transparent first graphical user interface overlaying a second graphical user interface; receiving pointer input in a handwriting area corresponding to the transparent first graphical user interface; displaying a guideline at a first position when a pen contacts a first position in the handwriting area; displaying the guideline at a second position only when the pen is lifted from the first position and subsequently contacts a second position in the handwriting area a threshold distance from the first position, wherein the threshold distance depends upon a direction of movement of the pen from the first position to the second position; displaying handwriting objects represented by the pointer input in the transparent first graphical user interface; recognizing text from the pointer input; and providing the recognized text to a software application.