Dick and Jane exercise

[zrcc28]

Mr. King, and any other readers,

Wow. Great advise in your book 'On Writing'. I loved it. I have just completed the Dick and Jane exercise. It was quite an interesting fossil I dug up when Jane came home to Dick.

Thank you for writing this book. It is a great help to those of us who are just starting out in fiction writing.

[ginapenn]

I've read On Writing multiple times (I could probably quote it-I'm a writer and it's probably my bible) but I have yet to do the Dick and Jane fossil. Right now there is a rather lengthy line of stories in my head waiting to be told so it's possible when those are exhausted I'll try this one out and see what happens.

[Bryan James]

...Right now there is a rather lengthy line of stories in my head waiting to be told...

So rally the troops and move them out. (I'm talking at both of us).

~BJS

[Doc Wilson]

Can someone remind me of what the Dick and Jane exercise was? Its been a few years since I read On Writing and the old synapses ain't firing like they used to.

[Bryan James]

"Dick and Jane"

Married young couple with a baby. Domestic abuse begins and escalates, but wait...Willy Wonkise it and reverse your immediate preconception about domestic abuse.
Difficulty: No Jennifer Lopez. And there was something about a teapot.

[StarDragon77]

"Dick and Jane"

Married young couple with a baby. Domestic abuse begins and escalates, but wait...Willy Wonkise it and reverse your immediate preconception about domestic abuse.
Difficulty: No Jennifer Lopez. And there was something about a teapot.

Are we allowed to post it here? I tried the assignment myself and...it's not the best that I've done...but I think it does fulfill the criteria of what was put down in the book.

[Moderator]

As noted in the FAQ (http://www.stephenking.com/faq.html#1.5), we're no longer accepting the Dick & Jane exercise.

[StarDragon77]

As noted in the FAQ (http://www.stephenking.com/faq.html#1.5), we're no longer accepting the Dick & Jane exercise.

Well, damn. I had hoped to post it somewhere. *shrug*

[Jennifer8]

I hope it's okay to post it here for a chance someone might read it...


Sorry, but as noted in the FAQ, we're not accepting any new submissions for this writing exercise.

[Bryan James]

PM it to me, Jennifer8. I'll read it.

[ginapenn]

Yeah, it's a bummer that it can no longer be submitted. Imagine the amount of server space you'd need to house that much information, especially if a lot of people responded!

[A blue 8]

i do believe probally its was the most influential book i ever read

[shanblue]

I purchased "On Writing" a few weeks ago. I've been toying with the idea of writing a novel for some time, and I'm not getting any younger.

So far, I love the book. I just got to the Dick and Jane exercise, and I wrote my story. My Jane uses the typical abuse techniques to take over Richard's life, then turns the tables on him, scratches and bruises herself up, and gets Richard thrown in jail. The teakettle saves his life, but seals his fate as well.

I'm a little disappointed that we can't post it here. But thank you for it. I just may be able to write after all.

[BrianM]

Thank you Mr. King. What a wonderful experience. I am almost finished my first novel which sprung fully developed from my head. I did plot it and did all sorts of character work first. The minute I started writing everything changed and the result in a much better piece. The Dick and Jane exercise confirmed the approach for me. Thanks again for taking the time to share your process and your insights with us.

[Morris128]

I have to say, that was a great excercise. I knew that writing withour a plot would be easier from experience, but I didn't realize how quickly a story could come out of it. I wrote 8 pages of work in thirty minutes, when usually it takes me a a couple of days to get through two pages. I will not use this strategy all of the time, but when the time is right, its good to not plan anything. Just like you say, life is not determined, so why should the lives of your characters be. Thanks again, I appreciate the advice you have given me through On Writing.

[arowhena]

Ahrrr…
I just finshed my Dick and Jane story. It came out to just under 2,000 words or 5 pages. I did it one sitting as King suggested. I’ll edit it tonight.
But now that it’s done I popped over here to find a place to post it. And I’m a little disappointed that there is no place.
Reading your posts though, I think you guys may be taking the Dick and Jane challenge literally. P. 170 – 173. What I read was a terrible plot line followed by an equally ordinary story. I’m pretty sure King wants us to go the extra mile – and take this thing and make it our own! By this I mean, I think he wants us to take his little plot and story and extract its essence and only the essence. For me – the word obsession floated before my eyes. And that’s what I wrote about.

[DwayneHoover]

Damn also. I just read it today and it filled me with a strange purpose. I was going to sit down this weekend and close my door and shut out the world and blast some Bob Dylan, hoping to have a place to put this story. I could see the amount of space a five page essay would take up on one of these pages might not be a good thing, (but maybe if we could post them on our own profile for people to check out)./ Damn, I am bummed now. I signed up today for that purpose, honest to god or whatever. Oh well. Telepathy only goes so far i guess.

I do like the site though. especially the political discussions, maybe i can go get lost in there for awhile.

That is my luck, none.