The literary era since 1979

Chapter 336 Beijing-style novel
"The romance between a stewardess and a retired navy soldier is rare."

Dialects turned page after page.

"Yeah, this is the first time I've seen a novel about a flight attendant."

Zhu Wei was quite interested.

After all, the profession of flight attendant has a kind of mystery in the eyes of readers and editors, and the love story with demobilized navy soldiers is true and touching, which is sure to please the majority of readers.

"Nonsense!"

Lu Shuyou snorted coldly, "Although this subject matter is indeed fresh, a romance novel is still a romance novel after all. It is not of high quality and lacks any artistry or thought. How can it be published in People's Literature?"

"Director Lu is right. Such popular literature is unlikely to be accepted by the upper class, let alone be published in People's Literature."

Yu Deli's tone was full of disdain.

"You can't say that!"

Wang Fu said seriously: "Most of the works we published in the past were about farmers, workers, and educated youth, but there are still too few themes about veterans and stewardesses, who are contemporary youth. I think we should pay more attention to them."

Chen Xiaoman held a similar view and turned to look at Fang Yan:

"Yanzi, what do you think?"

“Although Wang Shuo’s novel is a bit unconventional, it has a lot of innovation in terms of content and narrative.”

Fangyan looked around.

Lu Shuyou frowned. "New idea? I read it two or three times, but I really can't see any innovation in it."

Yu Deli nodded in agreement, "I didn't see it either. I hope Teacher Fang can give me some advice."

Fangyandao: "Wang Shuo used a lot of Beijing dialect and slang, which gave the whole novel a Beijing flavor."

"Yes, it has a Beijing flavor."

Zhu Wei clapped his hands and said, "I had the same feeling when I watched "Camel Xiangzi" and "Tea House"."

"nonsense!"

Lu Shuyou blew his beard and glared, what level is Wang Shuo? How can he be compared with Mr. Lao She!
"Don't be angry, Director Lu. There is really no comparison. Mr. Lao She captured the soul of Yenching culture, while Wang Shuo only captured its form."

Fangyan stood up and smoothed the situation over.

Seeing Zhu Wei shrink his head, Wang Fu was more interested: "Director Fang, what do you mean by 'soul' and 'form'?"

Fang Yan patiently explained: "There are many elements of Yanjing in Mr. Lao She's works, but he used Yanjing more as a background and region to show the social and historical changes in modern China. Wang Shuo is different. He brought out the characteristics of Yanjing language and culture."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone became curious and sought answers.

"That's 'Kan'!"

Fangyan smiled and said that some of the people in Yanjing today are just like Wang Shuo, with a "ruffian" and "dissolute" vibe.

Compared with Mr. Lao She's old Yanjing accent, it is obviously a new Yanjing spoken language, and the new Yanjing accent is naturally also a new Beijing-style novel.

"A new Beijing-style novel?!"

Hearing this word, Lu Shuyou, Chen Xiaoman and others were shocked at first, and then fell into deep thought.

"Yes, "Air Hostess" is written in the New Yanjing dialect, which can be seen as the inheritance and development of the traditional Old Yanjing dialect."

Fangyan looked left and right and said, "So I think this novel still has some merits!"

"I almost forgot, Director Fang, you are an advocate of ethnic and regional culture, and you will definitely be fond of this kind of Beijing-style novels."

There was a complex light flashing in Yu Deli's eyes.

Lu Shuyou looked solemn. "Since Director Fang is optimistic about this new Beijing-style novel, I can't say anything more. But I still want to remind you that even if this novel has a Beijing-style flavor and is novel, it may not meet the selection criteria of People's Literature."

Are you teaching me to do things?

Fangyan said seriously, "The most important criterion for judging People's Literature is whether it is popular among the people."

Yu Deli and Lu Shuyou looked at each other.

Before they could speak, applause broke out. Zhu Wei, Chen Xiaoman and others clapped and cheered.

"Zhu Wei, go contact Wang Shuo and ask him to come to Renwen Press tomorrow morning." Fang Yan grinned and said, "Since he insists on asking me to revise the manuscript, I must meet him in person."

…………The next day, Humanities Society.

Wang Shuo looked cynical, wearing slippers and walking without caring about his relatives.

But when he walked into the director's office and saw Teacher Fang, he immediately changed his nonchalant attitude and greeted her politely.

Zhu Wei rolled his eyes in annoyance. He was arrogant at first but respectful later. It was laughable to think about it!

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Fang Yan smiled and said, "Counting the days, it seems like we haven't seen each other for a long time, right?"

Wang Shuo said: "Yes, it's been almost a year."

Fang Yan tried hard to suppress his laughter, "Didn't you go to eastern Guangdong with your childhood friend? How did you end up like this?"

"Hey, don't mention it! I didn't make the deal and almost went to jail!"

Wang Shuo has been depressed till now and tells the truth.

Ever since he followed Ye Jing to become a trader, he didn't enjoy much of the good life. Because of the crackdown on speculation, all his business was ruined. He himself was not cut out for business, and all the money he had earned was lost. His childhood friend Ye Jing was even more careless and was put in jail. He was only released at the beginning of the year.

"So you're thinking about earning royalties again?"

Fangyan's mouth corners slightly raised with joy.

"Hehe, literature is the only thing I can show off." Wang Shuo said with a wry smile: "What do you think of my article "Air Hostess"? "

Fangyan asked: "How did you come up with the idea of ​​writing a love story about a flight attendant?"

"I'm just trying to please you."

Wang Shuo said, "I think it is easy to please female readers when writing about girls, especially romance novels, and male readers will also be interested in mysterious and beautiful stewardesses. If I write about an old farmer, I might get my manuscript rejected."

Fang Yan raised his eyebrows and said, "You have a good business sense and a good sense of the market."

Wang Shuo smiled and said, "I have traveled a lot, and although I haven't made much money, I know that writing has to be sold to people, so at least I have to write about things that people like to read, such as humor, comedy, youth, and love. It would be best if it's the kind of thing that makes people want to die after having enough fun!"

Zhu Wei curled his lips, “Vulgar!”

"Those elegant ones are like a peacock spreading its tail. They are beautiful, but when you turn around, they become ugly."

Wang Shuo didn't care, "Teacher Fang, I didn't say anything about you."

"Only someone as talkative as you can write such a rogue Beijing-style novel."

Fang Yan narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are you dating someone?"

Wang Shuo was surprised, "Teacher Fang, how did you figure that out?"

Fang Yan said: "The sour smell of love in it can only be written by someone who is in a relationship, it is sour and not mellow."

"Correct! Teacher Fang, you have a really good eye. You can see this!"

Wang Shuo admired her so much that he actually fell in love with a woman named Shen Xujia. It was love at first sight.

Fang Yan said: "Are you trying to earn some money from writing articles and start a family?"

Wang Shuo said with a shy face: "Teacher Fang, the royalties, hehe, royalties..."

"Now it has been changed and a new standard for royalties has been promulgated."

Fangyan pulled out a copy of the "Trial Regulations on Book Remuneration" from the pile of documents.

It was announced in early March, which was when I was on a business trip in Chengdu. The most important one was that the maximum standard for manuscript remuneration increased from 3 yuan per thousand words to 10 yuan per thousand words, and the remuneration for the number of copies printed also increased significantly.

Although it cannot be compared with the royalties of 10% or 20%, it is better than nothing. Even a little bit counts!
"20 yuan per thousand words? That's great!"

Wang Shuo's eyes lit up and he felt that he was going to make a fortune.

"Don't be too happy too soon. You should still remember my rules for editing manuscripts, right?"

Fangyan smiled so hard that his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Gulu~"

Wang Shuo swallowed and prepared himself to put on the bit and reins.

Isn't it just locking up the production team's donkey in a simple five-star dark room and giving him a beating with a whip?

(End of this chapter)