Chapter 114 113 "Someone can take your place in the editing job, but writing cannot take your place."
"I heard that Fang Minghua also wrote a very powerful novella that was published in "Yenjing Literature" "Their magazine originally wanted to recommend that article, but it was inappropriate to recommend two novels by one author for selection at the same time, so they removed it," Yang Li said.
"Yes, that novel is called "The Donkey Gets Water", have you read it?" Feng Mu asked.
Yang Li shook her head:
“I’ve heard of this, it’s such a strange name, but I haven’t seen it yet.”
"I suggest you take a look. It's worth a look. Latin American magical realism is the first of its kind in China." Feng Mu said.
"Well, let me buy a copy when I have time." Yang Li said: "Chairman Feng, what kind of person is this Fang Minghua, so good at writing novels?"
"What? What kind of person?" Feng Mu chuckled: "He will definitely come to Yanjing to receive the award. You will see it then."
"Well, Chairman Feng, what about Fang Minghua's three articles? Are all novels selected?" Yang Li asked.
"Of course it won't work, there has to be a balance, right? Look at this book "Garland Under the Mountain" ranked 21st, right behind "Youth", the number of votes is not much different, what I mean is I chose "Wreaths Under the Mountains"
"What about "Into the Dust"? It's ranked 12th, so it can't be removed, right?" Yang Li asked.
“A very important reason why this novel received high votes is that the movie of the same name adapted from it was released at the end of last year, which gave it extra points. However, in terms of the literary artistry and ideological quality of the novel, it should not be ranked. So high." Feng Mu explained patiently.
"Of course this is my personal opinion. There are still fourteen judges. Yang Li, please inform Ding Ling and Zhu Wei that they will come for a meeting tomorrow afternoon!" Feng Mu finally said.
"What about Mr. Palladium?" Yang Li asked.
Feng Mu pondered for a moment after listening and said: "Lao Palladium is old and still lives in Shanghai, forget it, but send the minutes of the meeting, the speeches of each judge, and the results of the awards to Ba Lao A piece of the past, he makes the final decision!”
At this time, Palladium was at his residence, listening to the report of Xiao Dai, deputy editor-in-chief of the "Harvest" editorial department.
No. 113, Wukang Road, Shencheng.
This is a garden house with a single courtyard and an elegant environment. The main building is a European-style fake three-story building with fine pebble walls and dark green wooden windows. The overall building is simple and elegant.
In the living room on the first floor, Xiao Dai reported to Palladium about the manuscript appointment.
“Ba Lao, I originally wanted him to write an avant-garde novel, whether it was stream of consciousness or magical realism, but I didn’t expect that he would actually start with Journey to the West.”
< br>
Xiao Dai said, forwarding the letter from Xijing to Palladium.
Palladium put on his reading glasses and looked carefully for a while, then took them off and looked at Xiao Dai again: "What are your thoughts?"
"I am very conflicted, judging from his conception Judging from the outline, it is very interesting, a typical stream of consciousness technique, but it completely subverts "Journey to the West". I am worried that if it is published, it will cause a lot of controversy and some people may be dissatisfied."
" Controversy? Pioneer novels are inherently controversial, not only in our country, but also in Europe and the United States. Look at his article "The Sun Also Rises," which was a hot mess in the literary world last year." Palladium laughed.
“But the issues you mentioned must also be considered.” Palladium pondered for a moment: “Let’s do this. You write a letter to encourage him to write. After he finishes the manuscript, you take a look at it. If necessary, invite him to come. Shencheng will revise it in person and we will publish it if it is suitable. If it is really difficult to publish it in China, there are also Xiangjiang and Baodao, we can recommend it there."
"Then I'll reply to him right away." Xiao Dai stood up after saying that.
It was five days after Fang Minghua received Xiao Dai's reply. During this time, he put aside all the distractions in the outside world and devoted himself wholeheartedly to writing.
Li Tianfang knew that he was creating, and took the initiative to reduce his workload. He also joked: "There is someone to take over the editing work, but writing can't take over for you."
"Thank you very much. Sister Li understands, I’m here to treat you to dinner.” Fang Minghua said with a smile.
"Forget it, Xiaofang, haven't you been entertaining a lot of guests recently? The royalties are still there for you to marry your wife." Li Tianfang joked again: Xiaofang, you and that girl Tangtang, now How is it developing? ”
"It's just like that."
Fang Minghua hesitated, stood up, and walked away.
It is now March in spring, and a patch of grass is growing and orioles are flying.
The letter from Xiao Dai from the editorial department of "Harvest" finally arrived.
The main message in the letter is that the editorial department was busy with work some time ago, so I haven't been able to reply to the letter. I apologize. I am very interested in the idea of the novel. Please finish the manuscript as soon as possible and send it to the editorial department of "Harvest". If necessary, you will be invited to Shanghai for face-to-face exchanges. "You're very busy at work, don't you know how to respond?
Fang Minghua remembered that when Lu Yao was writing the article "Life", he kept in touch with the editor of "Youth Literature" at all times!
From the conception of the article to the specific plot and character settings, everything was discussed with each other.
However, Fang Minghua has also made up his mind to complete it as soon as possible. If "Harvest" is not published by then, and no mainstream domestic magazine is willing to publish it, we will find a way to publish it in Xiangjiang or Baodao!
“Minghua!”
A girl's voice came from outside.
It’s Song Tangtang.
The girl walked in, holding a net bag with a box in it.
She put the box on the desk. Fang Minghua took a look and saw that it was tea.
He opened it and smelled it. There was a faint fragrance of tea, and then he looked at the shape of the tea leaves.
It turned out to be Longjing! And it’s still top quality!
“Tangtang, where did you get it?”
Fang Minghua was surprised.
I heard Song Tangtang say that his father is not as fond of tea as Zhao Hongjun’s father, but likes drinking. It is said that there is a lot of Maotai in his family.
“My cousin’s grandfather lives in Hangzhou. I asked her to help send some back from her hometown. I will get some for you when the new tea comes on the market this year.”
"Thank you,"
After Song Tangtang was transferred back to Xijing, she often came to see him. Every time she came to pick up something, such as White Rabbit toffees and apples, this made Fang Minghua feel a little embarrassed.
Why do you always take things from other girls?
I bought it for her, but she said she didn’t need it, she didn’t need it!
Today it’s tea again!
"Tangtang. I'm so embarrassed."
"Why are you being polite to me? But you should drink less strong tea at night. It's not good for your health!" Song Tangtang said: "What have you been writing these days? Let me Take a look."
"Here." Fang Minghua picked up a stack of manuscripts from the desk and handed them to the girl.
"There is only a little bit of tail left. After you finish writing, you can modify it and contact editor Xiao."
"Then you write, I won't disturb you."
Song Tangtang picked up the manuscript and sat aside to read it quietly.
In mid-March, "The Legend of Wukong" was completed, with a word count of about 200,000. It is considered Fang Minghua's first full-length novel after time travel.
He immediately contacted Xiao Dai from the editorial department of "Harvest" and sent the manuscript first, waiting for the other party's response.
Finally I can rest for a while.
It’s spring now, and there are red flowers and green willows everywhere. Have you invited Song Tangtang to go out for a spring outing?
What he didn't expect was that Song Tangtang was rehearsing a dance recently and didn't have time. On Sunday, Fang Minghua had to take a correspondence course again and he didn't have time.
Hey, what a pity.
But what makes him happy is that the final results of the awards for outstanding short and medium novels have finally come out.
His "The Sun Also Rises" and "Red Dresses Are Popular on the Street" won the Outstanding Novella and Short Story Awards respectively.
(End of this chapter)