1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 159 "Director Lin"

The November issue of "People's Literature" was released as scheduled, and Lin Weimin's works once again occupied the golden position of the publication, which aroused the attention of readers.

The booklet of "Farewell My Concubine" was published two months ago. During this period, the sales have been very good. The initial wave of criticism has long subsided, replaced by all kinds of rave reviews.

The Guowen Society received feedback from bookstores all over the country, and planned to reprint it this month, and Lin Weimin could receive another manuscript fee.

This month, "Wind Voice" was published, and taking advantage of this upsurge, the sales of the November issue of "People's Literature" were booming, and it was expected to hit a new high.

In a good situation, news of the adaptation of "The Cliff" also appeared in the newspaper because of Tang Guoqiang's starring role, which also attracted a lot of attention.

The name Lin Weimin is very hot in this year's literary circle.

The editor of "Zhongshan" Yu Zhaohuai sent a letter, wanting to make an appointment with him for a manuscript.It's not just Yu Zhaohuai alone. Over the past year, Lin Weimin has received so many letters of solicitation that he has specially created a shelf for letters of solicitation on the bookshelf where letters from readers are placed.

In the face of countless letters or telephone requests for drafts, Lin Weimin could only politely decline, because one's energy is limited after all.

Others' draft requests can be ignored, but not Yu Zhaohuai's.

If he hadn't published "One Penny Matter" with his insight, Lin Weimin would not know where he is now.

Lin Weimin specially called Yu Zhaohuai, and Yu Zhaohuai was very happy when he received his call.

Since the beginning of this year, Lin Weimin's name has appeared in his ears so frequently that it can be compared with several other domestic hot writers in the past two years.

Recently, Lin Weimin published "The Wind" on "People's Literature". This is already his third spy war novel, and the writing efficiency is amazing.

Yu Zhaohuai also wanted to try writing the letter of invitation for a manuscript to him. He also knew that Lin Weimin was busy now, and how many publications across the country wanted to ask him for an invitation letter.

"Yes, yes, I'm really busy now. I'll just write a short story, please understand. Okay, goodbye!"

On the phone, Lin Weimin promised Yu Zhaohuai to write a short story and post it on "Zhong Shan".

After putting down the phone, he felt a little headache, what kind of short story should he write?

Now that you have agreed to others, you can't fool things around.

He rummaged around in his head, but he didn't think of a good idea for the time being, so he could only put this matter aside.

Anyway, as a writer, if you have no inspiration, it is normal to wait a year or so, which is understandable.

Back to the office to continue working, still digging for gold among a pile of manuscripts.

A letter from the author caught Lin Weimin's attention. This letter was not for the submission of the manuscript, but to discuss the return of the manuscript with the editorial department.

Most writers usually only have one manuscript after finishing the manuscript, which is sent to the editorial department or publishing house.There is not no editorial department that returns manuscripts these years, and it is the only one in the country-"Harvest".

The rule of "Harvest" returning manuscripts was established by Balao, and it has become one of the characteristics of the editorial department.

The author of the letter is not a well-known writer. He has only published two short stories in "Contemporary" and is also an amateur author. He said in the letter that he has mediocre talent and can publish works in journals at the level of "Contemporary" all his life. There are not many opportunities, and I very much hope that the manuscript of that published work can be preserved as a souvenir.

After reading the letter, Lin Weimin felt a little touched. Every work is a child to an author. It is a pity that a child can be successful and famous if he is published in a well-known journal.

Catch up with the editorial department meeting the next day, Lin Weimin brought this matter up.

It is not the first time an author has responded to the issue of returning a writer's manuscript, nor is it the first time an editor has raised it, but this will undoubtedly increase the workload of all staff in the editorial department.

The biggest problem is the preservation of the manuscript. No one can guarantee whether the manuscript will be damaged or lost during the editorial department. If the manuscript is promised to be returned, once it is damaged or lost, it will be a breach of contract for the author.

Colleagues discussed for a long time, everyone said their own things, and did not reach a consensus. The biggest obstacle is that returning the manuscript is not the choice of most editorial departments or publishing houses. Everyone is just following the trend, and it is good not to make mistakes. .

Some people also put forward an argument, that is, to do so would be suspected of picking up people's tooth wisdom.

Now in China, "Harvest" has the habit of returning manuscripts. Although the colleagues in the editorial department don't say it, everyone knows that "Contemporary"'s goal is to be the best pure literature publication in China, and "Harvest" is standing in front of everyone. of a mountain.

Now that I want to learn "Harvest" and return the writer's manuscript, I feel that "Harvest" is simply lower than "Harvest".

Tan Chaoyang, who presided over the meeting, saw that the discussion had been fruitless, so he knocked on the table to interrupt everyone's discussion, "Well, let's vote to see if we want to implement this measure."

Everyone remained silent, acquiescing to Tan Chaoyang's approach.

Seeing this, Lin Weimin raised his hand. According to everyone's argument just now, this matter will most likely be rejected, and he intends to fight for it.

"Editor-in-chief, I have something to say."

Qin Chaoyang clicked on Lin Weimin, "Speak."

Lin Weimin looked at the colleagues around him and said, "I really understand the difficulties you mentioned just now. I am also a member of our editorial department. I admit to the troubles and influences you just mentioned, but I want to talk about My point of view."

He put his hands on the table and leaned forward with a solemn expression.

"I would like to ask everyone, what is the goal of our "Contemporary"?"

Faced with Lin Weimin's question, everyone did not speak, but told him with their eyes.

Lin Weimin asked himself and answered: "That's right, we want to be the number one literary publication in China."

"However, what should we do to be number one? The sales volume of our recent issues has already surpassed that of "Harvest". With this sales volume, are we the number one literary publication in China?"

Lin Weimin shook his head, "I don't think so."

"It is important to sell a good publication, but what is more important is our influence.

How to build the influence of a publication?We rely on our works, on cultivating potential writers, on planning topics, on the excellent working ability of our editorial colleagues, and more importantly, on cultivating the credibility of our editorial department. "

Lin Weimin spread his hands, "What is credibility?"

"When it comes to our "Contemporary", people will say that it is the number one selling literary magazine in China."

"When it comes to our "Contemporary", people will say that the works they publish are the best, and they have stirred up the situation in the Chinese literary world!"

"When it comes to our "Contemporary", people will say that they have the most professional editorial team in China, and countless authors have benefited from it!"

"When it comes to our "Contemporary", people will say that they are the most humanistic and caring editorial department."

"The above, the first three points I mentioned, I personally think are the hardware of our editorial department and publications. The software is our humanistic temperament and care. How should this humanistic temperament and care be reflected?
I think returning the writer's manuscript is a good attempt.

A colleague said just now that we are picking up the wisdom of "Harvest" by saying this. I disagree with this statement.Obviously it is a good thing, why are we afraid of being said to be picking up the teeth of others?When did our "Contemporary" become a publication that fears people's words?

Lu Yao's "Thrilling Scene" is not unpopular with publications, but why was it not published?Is it because of publication scruples?
The reason why we are willing to publish "Contemporary" is because our starting point is literature itself, not other considerations.

"Harvest" has its merits. It is a good student among our domestic publications. What happened to our studies?
Is it a good thing to be blindly complacent? "

When Lin Weimin said this, the expressions of his colleagues all became serious. He was the youngest in the editorial department and the latest to join the unit. Everyone was a little uncomfortable being taught by his junior with these words.

Lin Weimin also knew that what he said was a bit serious, and he really couldn't control his emotions for a while, "That's all I said, if I am not thoughtful, please forgive me."

After he finished speaking, the meeting fell into a brief silence.

After more than ten seconds, Tan Chaoyang suddenly burst out laughing, and said, "A young man like Weimin has courage. What Weimin said is right, if our "Contemporary" wants to be number one in this field in the country, we must win the Come out with the courage to be number one in the country!"

"Everyone looks at Wei Minjin's editorial department. He is both a colleague and a teacher. He has grown up like this. Everyone should be happy for him!"

Lin Weimin cast a grateful look at Tan Chaoyang. He knew that Tan Chaoyang was afraid that what he said just now was too serious, offended his colleagues, and wanted to make amends for him.

Rong Shihui also joked: "You young people are alive and well, but you are going to toss us old bones to pieces!"

Qin Chaoyang cooperated and said, "If you're going to make a fuss, you'll make a fuss! Aren't we old bones just to cheer up the young people?"

"Hahaha!"

The two sang and laughed, and the atmosphere of the meeting was relaxed, as if they had set the tone for this matter.

After talking and joking for a while, Tan Chaoyang put away his smile and said, "Okay, let's vote by raising your hands, those who agree."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Weimin, then Long Shihui, and then colleagues raised their hands one by one.

It's all said and done, if you don't raise your hand, you will be embarrassed, and you will be scolded as worthless!

Seeing that the proposal was approved, Lin Weimin smiled unconsciously.

"It just so happens that our sixth issue of this year has already been published, and this news should be published in the first issue of the first year of 82. It is good news for the authors."

When Qin Chaoyang said this, he caught sight of Lin Weimin's smile, glared at him, and reprimanded: "Don't raise your eyebrows first. Do you think big talk is just casual? To be number one in China, it's a big tone, don't mention it first. Return the manuscript." You will be responsible for the matter, if the manuscript is lost or damaged, I will take it as your fault."

Lin Weimin exclaimed, "Don't, leader!"

All the colleagues laughed, and the laughter was full of gloating joy.

After all his colleagues left, Tan Chaoyang blinked at Lin Weimin, and the two of them smiled knowingly.

How can one person be responsible for such a big matter as the return of the manuscript? It requires the joint participation of all colleagues.

The reason why Qin Chaoyang said that was to protect Lin Weimin.

The proposal he made naturally required him to do his best. Even if some people were reluctant to raise their hands just now, but seeing Lin Weimin reaping the consequences, he should let go of the discomfort in his heart.

Back in the office, Lin Weimin was inevitably teased by his colleagues, saying that he could be half of the editorial department, and the suggestion of the reader questionnaire mentioned earlier was also the same.

Yao Shuzhi casually called out the title "Director Lin", which was unanimously approved by everyone as Lin Weimin's nickname.

A few days later, Lin Weimin received a call from Yu Zhaohuai, asking him how the idea of ​​the work was going. The editorial department of "Zhongshan" intends to put this work of his in the first issue of the first year.

Lin Weimin thought that a short story would not take much time, and said, "It will be soon, it will be soon, it will only take a few days."

After Yu Zhaohuai's press call, "Farewell My Concubine" was reprinted, and Lin Weimin received another manuscript fee bill from the agency. This time, the agency came up with a big deal and directly printed 50 copies, and Lin Weimin's small coffers instantly swelled.

After buying the Erjin Yard next to the Forbidden City, he only had 9000 yuan left in his small coffers. During this period, he received the adaptation fee of "The Cliff", the publication fee of "The Wind", and the reprint of "Farewell My Concubine" The manuscript fee, the small treasury has almost returned to the level before buying the second entry yard.

Lin Weimin was in a good mood and added a dish to dinner, and most of it went into Han Zhuangzhuang's stomach.

After packing up, Lin Weimin hid in the study, he was still considering the manuscript that he agreed to Yu Zhaohuai.

I have thought about a lot of themes in the past two days, but I always feel that it is not suitable for short stories.

Lin Weimin thought of his first work "One Penny Matter" published on "Zhongshan". The article was completely based on "one penny" as an introduction, leading to a stubborn character and a thought-provoking story. .

Looking back on that work, he found that many things he had dealt with were still too immature, so he might as well tell a new story with this core.

Thinking of this, Lin Weimin suddenly remembered a work by Zhang Yimou that he had seen before.

This work should be regarded as the most underestimated of all Zhang Yimou's works. The whole film is wrapped in the shell of urban light comedy, but it tells about one of the eternal topics of human beings since ancient times-communication.

It seems relaxed, humorous and absurd, but it is actually full of philosophical thoughts.

Lin Weimin felt that he could combine this work to recreate an interesting work, different from the style of his previous works, more similar to "The Death of Yura", but more witty and absurd.

For creators, breaking out of the comfort zone is the most uncomfortable, but it is also an excellent time for inspiration.

For a lifetime of thinking, Lin Weimin's pen did not stop for a moment, and he even forgot the time.

When he woke up from the world he made up, the sky was already bright.

Only then did Lin Weimin feel tired from not sleeping all night, but he was still a little excited at the moment and didn't want to rest.

Looking back at the newly written work last night with a sober perspective, he frowned.

Last night, I was completely immersed in my self-indulgence, and the writing was still a bit too much. I should restrain myself a little more. Lin Weimin planned to make some changes before sending it to Yu Zhaohuai.

(End of this chapter)