I was in the middle of working on Sublimation, my newest fanfic project,
when I picked up my copy of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six and started reading.
Sublimation, as far as technical writing is concerned, is a pretty simple
project.  Mostly dialog and a bit of thought, with just enough environment
to get by.  I was working on the beginning of page eight when I called
intermission and started reading.

Now, while reading I didn't really think I was learning anything.  I was
reading a damn-good book, but that was about it.  The plot engine was pretty
good, and even provided me an example to use for some further C&C with Mme.
Hydra concerning subterfuge and underground style black ops sort of jobs
that might be applicable in fanfic practice.

Then I went back to Sublimation after 160 some odd pages of R.6 and
performed the obligatory grammar check.  Word informed me that I had a
measly 5.3 grade level average reading level in the story, with a miniscule
2.3 sentences per paragraph rating.

Without consciously being aware of any change in my writing style, I
proceeded to write what amounts to about half of a printed page, and once
again performed a grammar check, curious to see if I was doing any better
according to Word's sometimes sage advise.

Reading level, 5.7.  Sentences per paragraph: 2.6

Have any of you ever been directly and immediately affected by exposure to
The Real Thing?  If so, was it something that stuck with you or was it a
kind of come and fade thing?  I'm curious to see what you all think of this.
A .4 increase based on 1/16th of the story seems pretty dramatic to me.

Back to writing, lest this "gift" wear off :P

Draxonx@bellsouth.net