The next day, in the afternoon.
Zhou Changyi knocked on the door of the Northern Shaanxi Writers Association with the manuscript of "The Ordinary World".
The secretary-general wearing glasses was surprised and delighted: "Comrade Changyi came just in time. Originally we planned to send someone to the guest house to deliver manuscripts to you. We have carefully selected this batch, and basically all of them are It was written by a professional writer from the Writers Association. "It's hard work, I really don't know how to thank you."
Zhou Changyi handed over the manuscript of "The Ordinary World" and asked them. Pass it to Lu Yao.
"There are a lot of words in Lu Yao's novel. How can Comrade Chang Yi finish it so quickly?"
Everyone in the Northern Shaanxi Writers Association was very surprised. Some even suggested that he read it several times and read it often. new.
Zhou Changyi politely refused, saying that he was on a tight schedule and had heavy tasks, so he couldn't devote all his energy to "The Ordinary World".
The Secretary-General was keenly aware that something was wrong, frowned and said, "What do Comrade Changyi think of this novel?"
"It's very good, very good." Zhou Changyi smiled. laugh.
"It's pretty good, so what's so good about it?"
The staff of the Northern Shaanxi Writers Association were very dissatisfied with this answer. The more polite Zhou Changyi was, the more they insisted on asking the question.
Zhou Changyi looked embarrassed, "What should I say?"
The secretary-general said: "Just say whatever you have to say."
"Then I will tell the truth. .”
After careful consideration, Zhou Changyi said implicitly, “Nowadays, everything in the country, including literature and art, is in a vigorous and prosperous situation. The majority of readers yearn for beauty and look forward to the future. Literature that praises suffering and traditional realist literature are becoming a thing of the past. time, looking for roots Science, hallucinatory realism, and modernism are the current mainstream trends in the literary world..."
The secretary-general's face immediately fell, "Comrade Changyi means that "The Ordinary World" is outdated? "
“No, no, no, it’s not outdated.”
Zhou Changyi waved his hand, "There are no problems with the story structure and logic of "The Ordinary World." But at first I thought that Teacher Lu Yao's new work would develop in new trends such as root-seeking literature, hallucinatory realism, or modernism. I didn't expect it. It’s the path of “Life”. br>
Everyone present heard the implication in the words, that they felt that "The Ordinary World" did not conform to the trend of contemporary literature. Only then did they suddenly realize that he came to the door in person this time to reject the manuscript directly. , and it is even possible that you have not read the novel from beginning to end at all.
Everyone is unhappy, but it is difficult to get angry. After all, publishing houses these days prefer new literary works such as root-seeking literature and modernism. Even magazines such as "Yanhe" under the Writers Association are no exception, so Realist works like "The Ordinary World" written in traditional narrative methods have received mixed reviews and criticisms. Many people, like Zhou Changyi, feel that Lu Yao is following the same old path.
Otherwise, the major publishing houses would not care whether it was booked in advance or not, and would have been fighting over the competition for "The Ordinary World".
The secretary-general looked solemn and told Zhou Changyi not to tell anyone about the rejection of the manuscript today.
Zhou Changyi understood that this was to protect Lu Yao's self-esteem, so he agreed.
Although he could promise not to say anything, there is no airtight wall after all, and the news that "The Ordinary World" was rejected still spread.
When the news reached Lu Yao's ears, he felt as if he was struck by lightning. He had no idea that the novel he had worked so hard for three years, almost day and night, would be read by even a young editor of "Contemporary" If you don't catch your eyes, you will instantly break your defenses and doubt your life.
"Pingwa, am I really behind this era?"
"How could it be, don't think so!"
Jia Pingwa looked The shocked Lu Yao was lying on the bed, his eyes empty, and he hurriedly said a few words of comfort.
"Then why does he think my "Ordinary World" is outdated?"
Lu Yao's tone was filled with sadness and grievance.
“Nowadays, many young editors do not know that the sky is the limit, and they always like to be new and different. Don’t take his words to heart.”
Jia Pingwa complained for Lu Yaoyao, and Zhou Changyi was not able to appreciate it. No, but Dialect can definitely appreciate "The Ordinary World".
Lu Yao felt that if "The Ordinary World" could not conquer a young editor of "Contemporary", how could he gain the discernment of dialect? What's more, today's dialect is the standard-bearer of contemporary Chinese literature. Root-seeking literature, hallucinatory realism, migrant literature, forensic suspense reasoning genres, etc. Many of the popular new literary trends were started by dialect. He can really appreciate it. "Ordinary World"?
“That’s not necessarily the case.”
Jia Pingwa said that he held high the banner of "reviving realist novels" at the National Young Writers Symposium.
Lu Yao fell into self-doubt, "But he is using hallucinatory realism to revitalize realist literature. Pingwa, do you think Yanzi, who wrote novels such as "Hunting" and "Looking for a Gun", is really Will you still like traditional realism themes like "The Ordinary World"? "
Jia Pingwa was speechless for a moment. Whether it was "Hunting" or "Looking for a Gun", once it came out, there were no words. Not rave reviews.
As "The Ordinary World" has not yet been published, it is not yet known what kind of response it will have in the literary world and among readers.
What’s more, this is still an unfinished work. Only the first part has been completed now, and the second and third parts are not yet completed!
"What can we do, what can we do..."
Lu Yao felt deep despair, covering his face with his hands, and his head went blank.
Jia Pingwa was also at a loss. At this moment, he saw Lin Da walking in from outside the house and politely called "sister-in-law."
Lin Da glanced at Lu Yao coldly. In order to create "The Ordinary World", he basically didn't take care of his family, but seeing his sick look, his heart softened, "You guys are not the same as others." If you are just thinking wildly here, you might as well wait for Yanzi to come over and ask him properly!"
As soon as he said this, Lu Yao straightened up suddenly, as if he had grasped the last bit of life, but his eyes suddenly went dark.
Seeing him swaying and about to fall, Lin Da hurriedly went to help him:
"Since he wrote "The Ordinary World", his health has become worse and worse, flat and flat, please trouble you. Help me take him to the hospital together.”
…………
Under the eager expectation of Lin Da, Jia Pingwa and others, together with Qin Zhaoyang, Zhu Wei and others. The companion dialect finally arrived.
As soon as I walked out of the train station, I was greeted by people from the Northern Shaanxi Writers Association, the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Xiying Film Studio, and the editorial department of "Yanhe".
Fang Yan shook hands and said hello one by one. When passing by Mo Shen, he inadvertently noticed Zhang Yimou beside him.
Zhang Yimou said emotionally: "Teacher Fang, welcome to northern Shaanxi!"
Fang Yan let out a light sigh, "Why are you here?" "This matter is just a matter of course. It’s long.” Zhang Yimou said with a embarrassed smile.
Mo Shen explained on his behalf that Zhang Yimou became famous in the film industry for "Yellow Earth", "That Man and That Dog in the Mountain", and "The Ring", and Wu Tianming became famous in the film industry. He wanted to recruit him from the Guixi Factory to the Xiying Studio, and made him an offer that he simply could not refuse. Not only would he get a raise in salary and benefits, but he would also be given a house as a couple. More importantly, he would be allowed to take charge of his own business and switch from being a photographer to being a photographer. Director, make the movie you want to make.
Dialect said: "A good bird chooses a tree to roost in, and staying in Xiying Factory will indeed not humiliate you."
Zhang Yimou showed an honest smile: "Director Wu also promised me that when I work for Guixi Film Factory again, I made two movies to repay the kindness of Director Wei and Director Guo, and then directed a movie for Xiying Film Studio."
After chatting for a while, Fang Yan turned his attention to Lin Da.
As the editor of "Western Movies", a publication of the Western Film Studio, Lin Da received instructions from the factory early:
"Director Wu and the others specially told me to let me interview you properly. This Oscar-winning screenwriter wants to understand the concepts of marketization, entertainment films, commercial films, and overseas film festivals. It would be best to invite you to Xiying Studio to hold a symposium for everyone.”
< br>
"If I have a chance, I will definitely go to Xiying Studio to have a look."
Fang Yan glanced around, but Lu Yao was nowhere to be seen, and then asked about his whereabouts.
"He is sick and is still resting in the hospital."
Lin Da's helpless tone was mixed with worry.
Fang Yan was startled: "Sick?"
"You also know that he is a person who forgets to sleep and eat when he is creating, confuses black and white, and does not care about doing anything."
Lin replied: "I wrote like this for three years, and my body was exhausted. "
Mo Shen curled his lips, "In my opinion, Lu Yao was not only exhausted, but also angry. Some of the young comrades were really outrageous."
Fang Yan and Zhu Wei looked at each other curiously, "What's going on?"< br>
“Let’s talk about it on the road.”
Mo Shen saw Zhou Changyi, Qin Zhaoyang and other editors of "Contemporary" gathered together, his face was full of displeasure.
Qin Zhaoyang also vaguely noticed that the attitude of the comrades in northern Shaanxi literary circles was very wrong. They were hot on the outside and cold on the inside, and their words were full of resentment.
After asking Zhou Changyi, he knew the whole story and immediately criticized: "How could you do this! Lu Yao is a long-famous writer and a representative figure in northern Shaanxi literary circles. Do you know that you Doing this is tantamount to insulting him and the literary community in northern Shaanxi!”
“I didn’t expect this matter to go away! "Leaked out."
Zhou Changyi apologized: "But Teacher Qin, I still stick to my point of view. Lu Yao's "The Ordinary World" is really outdated and completely inconsistent with the current literary trend. , just like eating, you say abalone is expensive, but I won’t eat it if it tastes unpalatable.”
"Then you shouldn't be so hasty, at least keep the manuscript for a few more days."
Qin Zhaoyang glared, "When we get to Chang'an, leave it to us to handle it!"
See Zhou Changyi shrank in fright While making a self-examination, an editor of "Contemporary" smiled bitterly:
"This will hurt the hearts of the comrades in northern Shaanxi."
"Especially at this juncture. ”
Qin Zhaoyang shook his head and sighed. At present, Chinese literature is blooming, but the strength and reputation of northern Shaanxi literature are not as good as before.
With the sudden rise of many new literary armies such as the Guangdong Army, Hunan Army, and Jin Army, the existence of the old team of the Shaanxi Army has seriously declined, especially when various schools, trends of thought, and writing styles collide with each other. Nowadays, Northern Shaanxi literature lacks innovation and is unable to succeed, so it gradually becomes silent.
It was not until the emergence of masterpieces such as "White Deer Plain", "Abandoned Capital", and "The Ordinary World" that once again shocked the entire literary world that the troika of Lu Yao, Chen Zhongshi, and Jia Pingwa regained their Leading the Shaanxi army to rise again, before that, northern Shaanxi literature had been declining.
Precisely because of the transition from prosperity to decline, the entire northern Shaanxi literary circle is sensitive and has low self-esteem, so it has high hopes for "The Ordinary World".
Fang Yan was well aware of the key points, so after attending the grand welcome banquet arranged by the Northern Shaanxi Writers Association, he rushed to the hospital without rest and visited Lu Yao with Zhu Wei, Mo Shen and others. He was seen lying weakly on the hospital bed, with a hanging bottle and infusion.
"The doctor said it's nothing serious. I just need to rest."
"My sister-in-law has already told me."
Fang Yan said: "Creation is creation, but we must also pay attention to our health. As the saying goes, the body is the revolution "
"It's worth paying some money for it."
Lu Yao pointed to "The Ordinary World" on the table, "Let's not talk about it for now, Yanzi. Take a look quickly.”
Lin replied: "Your novel is so long. Yanzi will not be able to finish it in a while, so let him take it home and read it slowly."
Seeing Lu Yao's impatient look, Fang Yan comforted him Said: "It's okay, sister-in-law, we can watch and chat at the same time."
Mo Shen, Lin Da and Jia Pingwa looked at each other, knowing that he was eager to know whether the three years of hard work he had put in was worth it. All wasted.
Fang Yan flipped through the manuscript, and then passed the manuscript paper he had read to Zhu Wei.
The more Zhu Wei looked at it, the more he felt something was wrong. His brows gradually knitted together, and he finally understood that Zhou Changyi's rejection of the manuscript was indeed excusable.
If it were him, even if Lu Yao was a famous writer, he probably wouldn't let "The Ordinary World" be published in "People's Literature".
The atmosphere became solemn in the silence. Lu Yao paid attention to the expressions of the two people and felt a little thump in his heart.
"What do you think? Are my realistic novels really out of date?"
"Why do I say this? Realism will never go out of style!"
< br>Dialect said: “As a creative school of literature, realism is the oldest and the most vital. It is almost a red line that runs through the literary history of various countries in the world. For example, in Britain, there are Shakespeare, Dickens, Hardy, and Graeme. Green.
For example, France has Balzac, Stendhal, and Flaubert; Russia has Turgenev, Dostoyevsky, and Tolstoy; and until the 20th century, there was Gorky, the socialist realist. The founder of socialist literature, let alone our China, for example There are too many to mention, and as a creative technique, realism will never be outdated. Look at the works that are now called modernism, such as magical realism, hallucination realism, absurd realism, and black humor novels. Tracing back to their roots, Isn’t it still realism? "
With a serious look on his face, he vowed: "My mentor once told me that realism will always be a type of literature that cannot disappear, because humans are the most realistic animals, and realism is what the people want most. You see, practical issues are what the people are most concerned about. "(End of this chapter)