Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 461 460 A novel is sweeping across America
Fang Minghua was also standing at the company's door.

He attended the event as a family member of Song Tangtang and a good friend of Zhao Hongjun.

Compared to the lively scene, Fang Minghua looked a little bleak today, except for occasionally saying hello to people he knew.

Song Tangtang noticed her husband's expression. After the unveiling ceremony, she came to Fang Minghua and asked with concern: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." Fang Minghua shook his head, looked at the snowflakes flying all over the sky, and suddenly sighed and said:

"Tomorrow is New Year's Day again. 1989 is here."

"What's wrong? What's different?"

"The flowers are the same year after year, but the people are different year after year. Have you finished your work? Let's go home." After Fang Minghua said this, he got into the car parked on the side of the road.

The domestic literary scene in 1988 was still vibrant and exciting.

Avant-garde novels are still popular, with backbone forces such as Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Can Xue carrying the avant-garde banner and running wildly on the literary road. In particular, the movie of the same name adapted from Mo Yan's novel Red Sorghum won the Golden Bear Award in Berlin, allowing Chinese and foreign readers to see the talents of the new generation of Chinese writers.

At the same time, another force was quietly rising in the literary world. The Huashan Conference, hosted by Yanhe Magazine at the foot of Mount Hua, pushed new realism novels to the center of the literary world.

Chi Li, Liu Zhenyun, and Liu Heng.
It turns out that excellent novels are not just avant-garde modernism, but also realism. Realistic novels are beginning to regain their value.

Just as the two major genres of avant-garde and new realism fiction began to collide with each other, there was a writer whose works were outside the mainstream of serious literature, but at the same time they had to be taken seriously.

Wang Shuo.

This year (1988), four novels, "Floating Out of the Sea", "Half Sea and Half Flame", "Rubber Man" and "The Troublemakers", were adapted into films.

This year was called the "Wang Shuo Year" by the literary, film and television, and critical circles.

Some people are full of vigor and vitality, while others leave sadly.

Shen Congwen, a great literary master, passed away quietly, just like the poem written by Xu Zhimo: "Waving his sleeves, not a single cloud is taken away."

But on the other side of the ocean, a novel was sweeping across America.

Although it is midwinter and the wind is biting cold, there is a long line outside Noble Books, the largest bookstore in New York, to buy a new book "Ghost" which has just been released.

A sentimental and sad novel that will bring readers to tears.

It combines romantic love and adventure, explores the mysterious world separated by yin and yang in a love story of life and death, and reproduces the realm of true love that lasts forever.

At the same time, Emily was invited to participate in a cultural talk show "Round Table" hosted by the famous New York host McDonald.

On the show, the two talked about the book.

"Miss Emily, I heard that Mr. Minghua was inspired to write this book after watching the musical The Phantom of the Opera with you?"

"Yes, we were talking about this musical on the way back to the hotel, and I was amazed at how touching the love story between humans and ghosts was."

"But he said that Eric was just a person with a congenital facial defect, not a real ghost. True love can transcend identity, status, race and class. So the idea of ​​this novel came about."

"Mr. Minghua is such a talented writer, his thinking is very imaginative." McDonald crossed his legs and sighed.

Then he leaned towards Emily again: "I remember that his last novel about love, The Bridges of Madison County, was also written after he and you went to a small town called Winterset in Iowa?"

"Yes, there he saw the Rothman Bridge, which is the prototype of the bridge in the novel, and heard a widow's love story, and wrote the book "The Bridges of Madison County," said Emily. "It seems that Mr. Minghua and you have a good relationship. Being with you can generate wonderful inspiration and write this wonderful novel." McDonald smiled.

"Maybe. I feel really happy when I'm with him." Emily said slowly as she recalled the days she spent with Fang Minghua a few months ago.

Fang Minghua naturally did not see this interview in the United States, but Li Li, who had returned from San Francisco during the winter vacation, told him about it.

The girl came back yesterday and couldn't wait to come to Fang Minghua's house tonight. She held Ruirui in her arms and sat on the sofa, telling Fang Minghua and Song Tangtang about her experiences in the United States.

"Brother-in-law, your book Ghost has been well received by readers since it was published. It topped the New York bestseller list in the first week! I dare say it can definitely become the second Bridges of Madison County!"

"Lili, thank you for your good translation." Song Tangtang interrupted.

"Of course, who else can I translate for if not my brother-in-law?" Li Li replied, and suddenly remembered something: "Also, the female writer Emily was on the American talk show Round Table, and she talked to the host about the writing background of my brother-in-law's book."

"what did she say?"

Li Li glanced at Song Tangtang, whose face was calm. "She said that it was her brother-in-law who got the inspiration after watching the musical The Phantom of the Opera with her."

"Minghua told me this. What else?"

"The host said that my brother-in-law and Emily have a special affinity, and being with her can generate wonderful inspiration and write beautiful novels."

Unexpectedly, Song Tangtang nodded and actually agreed.

"What the host said makes sense. Both of your brother-in-law's best-selling books in the United States were written after he got together with Emily. How about that, Minghua?"

Song Tangtang looked at her husband and said, "Go to the United States again in two years and spend a few days with Emily. Then you can write another romance novel."

Hearing Song Tangtang's teasing tone, Li Li couldn't help but laugh.

Fang Minghua was a little embarrassed and explained, "No, don't listen to their nonsense. The host did it on purpose to increase the ratings of the show! Okay, let's not talk about this. Lili, has anyone contacted you to discuss adapting the novel?"

Fang Minghua quickly changed the subject.

"Look at me! I almost forgot about this." Li Li took out a notebook from her small handbag and handed it to Fang Minghua.

Just a few days after the novel was published, a Hollywood director contacted me. I said that there was a ready-made script, but it would be up to you to decide after I return from winter vacation.

Fang Minghua took the small notebook and saw that there were several directors' names written on it.

Richard Linklater, Nora Efron, Jerry Zucker.

Li Li was also thoughtful enough to attach each director’s resume and representative works.

"It's him!" Fang Minghua set his sights on Jerry Zucker at first sight.

In history, this was the director of "Ghost".

Of course, letting him take the photo is the best choice.

"Lili, you can talk to him when you get to the United States. Also, I've joined the Writers Guild of America, so you can seek their help on my behalf."

Fang Minghua said: "As for the script purchase transaction, it requires a lump sum of cash, without any profit sharing. That's a trap!"

(End of this chapter)