Re: [FFML] Reading Clancy good for writing?

From: "Doug Murphy" <draxonx@bellsouth.net>
To: "Drc@Egroups. Com" <drc@egroups.com>,
       "Studio Yogipigs Productions" <studioyogipigs@egroups.com>,
       "Turtyl" <turtyl@montana.com>,
       "MadamHydra@aol. com" <MadamHydra@aol.com>,
       "Krobin729@aol. com" <Krobin729@aol.com>,
       "Jeanne Hedge" <jhedge@wwa.com>, "Ffml@Fanfic. Com"

<ffml@fanfic.com>,

       "Rob Barba" <ashita@cchono.com>
Subject: [FFML] Reading Clancy good for writing? [NO. But I'll get to

that.]

Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 08:01:25 -0500


<snip>

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.


So? Well, the grade level I can understand (shut up, you want him to 
review RNU one day don'cha?) but why are you hung up on how many 
sentences are in your paragraphs?
If you look at a standard piece of fictional prose, most of the times 
you'll hit a block of script that is just that, back and forth 
conversation between characters. Something like that will always bring 
down an average. As for average reading level, I once typed in the 
broken up version of Mary had a little lamb from "Fox Trot" and the 
computer informed me that my reading level was 11.4 and that I shouldn't 
have one sentence in a paragraph. That was the day I stopped taking it 
seriously.

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

kind of come and fade thing?


Besides the fact that I hate Tom Clancy (why he needs 10,000 words to 
describe a wristwatch is beyond me) reading *anything* improves one's 
writing. The best authors in the world are also avid readers.


- Shakudo -
Notices it's time to dust off the ol' library card.
Eternal Worshiper of Makoto Kino, Ukyo Kuonji, and Sakuya Kumashiro
Holder of the files of Ranma Nibun no Usugurami and Sailor Moon D

Email: shakudo@hotmail.com
URL: http://www.Im_broke_so_dont_click.com

I love the way those cute little anime girls say, "kawaii!"


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