A blotter/desk pad is a great solution to this problem. I built my wife a pandemic desk, and pine was what I could get locally. I have no illusions that it'll hold up as well as, say, oak or ash, but it's done alright over the last couple of months.

She also prefers rollerball or gel ink pens to regular ballpoints. As they require less pressure, that's likely helping.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_SeZtpDdJK/