The literary era since 1979

Chapter 280 Suspense or Science Fiction?
If we say within two days, then it means within two days.

Li Zhi soon received a call from Fangyan in the rental house, saying that she had passed the interview and was successfully admitted.

Early the next morning, I dressed up beautifully and went to Chinatown in San Francisco happily.

I thought I would see Fang Yan again, but was disappointed to find that he was not there. Instead, I met Mike and Bai Ruoxue.

After ten days or half a month of getting along, he not only became familiar with and adapted to the job of the foundation's secretary, but also gradually became familiar with Bai Ruoxue and others.

Although Fang Yan remained elusive during this period, we learned more about him from Bai Ruoxue.

"According to what you said, Teacher Fang is not only a writer, but also a poet, lyricist, scholar, and film screenwriter..."

Li Zhi blinked, her face full of surprise.

Bai Ruoxue said: "Now there is another title, philanthropic educator."

Li Zhi was obviously very interested in Fang Yan's identity as a "film screenwriter" and kept asking about the film works he adapted.

After Bai Ruoxue finished listing them one by one, Mike added: "There is also "Saving Private Ryan"! Teacher Fang is writing a script for Spielberg!"

When Li Zhi confirmed that it was the famous Hollywood director who made "Indiana Jones" and "ET the Extra-Terrestrial", she was stunned.

Bai Ruoxue smiled and asked, "Is Teacher Fang still writing the script?"

"It's almost finished. It will be finalized after a few minor revisions." Mike said excitedly, "It's our turn now. We must not embarrass Teacher Fang."

Only then did Li Zhi realize that the reason Fang Yan hadn't come here for so long was because he had too much to do and had devoted all his energy to creation.

His eyes were full of admiration. "Teacher Fang is really amazing. It's a pity that except for the interview, I have never met him again."

"Don't feel sorry, you'll see him sooner or later." Bai Ruoxue consoled him, "Teacher Fang once talked to us about you."

"Really?!"

Li Zhi was amazed.

"Teacher Fang said that your appearance and conditions are very suitable for being an actor." Mike looked him up and down, "I think so too."

"Me? I can't do that."

Li Zhi was dismayed, and after a moment's hesitation, she said, "I'm telling you, don't tell anyone else."

After seeing Bai Ruoxue and the other two's solemn promises, he whispered that before going abroad to study, he originally wanted to be an actor.

It happened that Cinema City was actively recruiting actors, so she dressed up carefully and went to the interview with full confidence.

What she never expected was that her carefully crafted outfit would be severely criticized by the interviewer, who even called it tacky.

"You think you're too rustic, don't you?"

Looking at her fashionable outfit, Bai Ruoxue's eyes widened.

Li Zhi shook her head and laughed, and at this moment, the phone rang.

Bai Ruoxue hurriedly answered the phone, and after a while of humming and ohing, she told Mike and the others:
"Teacher Fang called and said that Teacher Nie and his team came to San Francisco and asked us to have dinner together."

………………

Noon in Chinatown, San Francisco.

The bright sunshine shines on the red brick and green tile Chinese buildings, the gold-painted and red-painted archways, and the endless stream of people flowing on the streets.

Bai Ruoxue and the other two left the office and not far away they arrived at the restaurant mentioned in Fangyan.

"Let me introduce you, this is Pan Yaoming..."

"This is Ms. Nie Hualing who invited me to participate in the international writing program this time."

With the introduction of Fangyan, Li Zhi, Nie Hualing, Wang Anyi and others got to know each other, and they had the illusion of being in a dream.

I secretly felt lucky that I could join the Fangyan Cultural and Educational Foundation. It was really great!

"If you want to master Cantonese, you can ask Brother Yaoming for advice in the future." Fangyan smiled and patted Pan Yaoming's shoulder.

“Learn from each other and make progress together!”

Pan Yaoming waved his hand and said, "My English is not very good either. Please give me some advice if you have the chance." Li Zhi agreed readily, then watched Fangyan take out a thick stack of manuscript paper and handed it over carefully.

Nie Hualing was very excited: "Is this "Guns, Viruses, and Steel"? "

"It's still a first draft." Fang Yan said.

"No rush, take your time."

Nie Hualing talked about the publishing process of American university presses, including the initial review of manuscripts, reporting of topic selection, typesetting and design, three reviews and proofreading, application for book numbers, and finally printing and mailing. Each link takes a certain amount of time.

Among them, the three reviews and three proofreadings and the application for book numbers take the longest time, so it takes at least 4 months to publish a monograph.

If a solo book is published, it will take about 4 to 6 months to complete the publication, and the earliest it can be published is by the end of the year.

"No problem, follow the University of Iowa procedures."

Fang Yan left the decision of ordering food to Bai Ruoxue and the others.

“When it is published, the school will hold a small academic conference, usually attended by professors from the school.”

Nie Hualing changed the subject and said, "But maybe professors from the Russian history, sociology, and anthropology departments of Ivy League universities will be invited to attend the conference. When that happens, you must be fully alert and well prepared."

Fang Yan said: "Don't worry, I promise I won't lose face!"

"Well done."

Nie Hualing was quite pleased. She never thought that this year's international writing plan would be completely different from usual ones.

Not only did it shine because of the dialect, but it also found a long-term and stable donor for the international writing program.

"Yako, now that you've finished writing the script for Saving Private Ryan, what are your plans next?"

Wang Anyi asked curiously, "Do you have any other writing plans?"

"There are several directions for now, but I haven't thought about them yet."

Fangyan asked back, "What about you?"

Wang Anyi said that he had participated in no less than a dozen discussions in the writers' workshop. The current mainstream direction of literature around the world is magical realism initiated by Marquez, but he is not good at this and plans to settle for traditional realism.

Fangyan touched his chin. It’s not like he hadn’t thought about it before.

However, I give priority to popular literature.

After the rise of romance, martial arts and other novels in the mainland literary world, it is time to think about themes such as suspense, science fiction and horror.

“Science fiction!”

"Of course it's science fiction!"

"Teacher Fang, can you write science fiction?"

As a science fiction fan, Mike was so excited that he almost jumped up.

Bai Ruoxue opened her mouth, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

Noticing that Fangyan was distracted, Pan Yaoming nudged him gently with his elbow and said, "Don't think too much while you're eating."

Nie Hualing reminded: "Don't be too tense, and relax yourself occasionally, and combine work and rest."

"Yes!"

Wang Anyi smiled and said, "This time, Teacher Nie specially brought us to San Francisco to have a good time."

It would have been better if I hadn't said it. Now that I say it, Fangyan does feel a little regretful. I have been in the United States for so long, but I haven't had a single day of relaxation.

After writing this book for such a long time, can't I just enjoy myself?!
Seeing that he was interested, Bai Ruoxue turned to look at Li Zhi and Mike and asked about the two people who had lived in San Francisco for a long time.

“Since it’s summer, of course we should go to the beach!”

Mike thought without hesitation, "Baker Beach is the most popular place in San Francisco. It can be said to be a landmark of San Francisco!"

(End of this chapter)