Literary Master 1978

Lin Chaoyang thought that Li Shifei came to ask for a manuscript, but he did not expect that he actually came with a "proposal composition".

Marquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature, making magical realism, a literary genre born in Latin America, a prominent school in the international literary world today.

This is especially true in China. As soon as the results of the Nobel Prize for Literature were announced in October, literary young people from all over the world started talking about "magical realism" and stopped talking about "the explosion of Latin American literature."

This phenomenon itself is very magical realism, but in this land, it is completely normal.

"Flower City" was the first literary magazine in China to report on Marquez's award-winning speech. During this period, they also reproduced magical realism works by writers such as Delfo and Marquez, but the effect caused made the magazine president It feels almost meaningless.

Because the influence of imported and reprinted works is more limited to the group of literature lovers, if magic realism is to truly take root and flourish in China, there must be a major influential work Only local works will do.

One of the purposes of Li Shifei's trip to Yanjing this time was to connect with many writers and invite them to write manuscripts. Another, more important purpose was to find writers who had the potential to cooperate with them in accomplishing this grand goal.

Some people may ask, magical realism is just something written by a foreigner. Why does "Flower City" have to spare no effort to promote this literary genre?

In fact, the reason is very simple. Literary genres are just things summarized by people in the industry or researchers. According to the current definition of magical realism, "Journey to the West" is actually a work of magical realism.

Therefore, regardless of the source of the hero, since it is a good thing and makes it interesting and useful for readers to read, what does it matter if it is "used as a doctrine"?

Then there is the consideration of "Flower City"'s own development. If any literary magazine wants to develop and form a strong influence, it must rely on something.

For example, "Harvest" has Ba Jin's signature brand, and "Contemporary" has the backing of the Humanities Society.

In addition, being able to publish works of great influence and promote talented young and middle-aged writers are good ways for literary magazines to quickly expand their influence.

"Flower City" has been famous for its "foreign style" since its inception. In the past few years, the magazine's influence has reached a bottleneck period, which can also be seen from the magazine's sales.

One year after its first publication, the sales volume of "Flower City" reached 600,000 copies per issue, but there has been almost no significant change in the past two or three years.

Li Shifei said that Lin Chaoyang seeks innovation and change in his creations. Is this not the case for him and "Flower City" magazine?

Lin Chaoyang has been in the literary world for more than four years, step by step, and has achieved great fame with his works. Now with the blessing of the Mao Dun Literature Award, he has become the number one young writer in China.

It can be said that among the young writers in today's literary world, there is no one like him.

Looking at his creative achievements over the past few years, he has dabbled in many literary genres and styles, such as realism such as "Qiu Ju's Lawsuit", stream of consciousness such as "The Death of Van Gogh", and "The Chess Master". "This type of revolutionary romanticism.

In today's literary world, there are many people who write in a certain style to death, but there are very few writers like him who are constantly seeking innovation and change.

Now "Flower City" hopes to use their power to produce magical realism works with local colors. Li Shifei feels that Lin Chaoyang is a good partner.

Lin Chaoyang not only has strong creative ability, but also has an enterprising spirit that is constantly seeking innovation and change. With both ability and motivation, he is the perfect candidate.

Listening to Li Shifei's request, Lin Chaoyang looked thoughtful.

Li Shifei saw that he seemed to be worried, thinking that he could not let go of his dignity and was afraid that his creation of magical realism works would be said to be unfair.

So he persuaded: "Magical realism is not a patent of Latin American literature. Domestic readers have an eager demand for works of this genre.

Our magazine wants to always let Chinese people read foreign works, so it is better to promote more magical realism works with our national characteristics. "

Little did he know that Lin Chaoyang was not thinking about these things at all. Li Shifei was equivalent to the company's purchaser. How could he come to purchase goods without a price?

What's the use of just saying these nice things? Can I still give you the manuscript for free?

Zhang Guangnian has been working and living in Yanjing all year round, and has always heard about Lin Chaoyang's calculations about manuscript fees. Seeing that he has not spoken for a long time, he has a general guess in his mind.

He reminded Li Shifei in a joking tone, "Old Li, this requirement of your magazine is a 'proposal composition', and you have to pay more for it."

Hearing this, Li Shifei immediately felt blessed. He had also heard some of Lin Chaoyang's style before coming.

"We at "Flower City" have always been generous in terms of manuscript fees. This time when we came to make an appointment with Chaoyang, we also showed great sincerity.

As long as the manuscript can pass review, we are willing to pay 20 yuan per thousand words. "

Listening to Li Shifei say the number "20 yuan for a thousand words", Lin Chaoyang's eyes couldn't help but light up.

You should have told me earlier!

20 yuan per thousand words, which is much more generous than the Humanities Society and Yanjing Publishing House.

Li Shifei's price was not given randomly. Lin Chaoyang had just won the Mao Dun Literature Award. This was the first time they invited a manuscript for "Flower City", so it was reasonable to increase the manuscript fee.

After talking about the manuscript fee, Li Shifei noticed the change in Lin Chaoyang's expression and asked expectantly: "Chaoyang, look..."

Lin Chaoyang finally spoke at this time, "It's a coincidence. I'm currently writing a work with a magical realism color. I can show it to you first."

Li Shifei was overjoyed when he heard this, "Oh, this is really fate! Maybe your novel is tailor-made for our magazine. Can I take a look now?"

Lin Chaoyang got up and went to the study to get the manuscript, "It's a long novel, it's expected to be written 240,000 to 250,000 words, and there's still a part that hasn't been finished."

Hearing that it was a 240,000 to 250,000-word novel, Li Shifei was even happier. He took the manuscript and wanted to read it immediately, but when he touched the thickness of the manuscript, it was at least 170,000 to 180,000 words, and it was not something that could be read all at once.

"Chaoyang, I have an unwelcome request. Can I take this manuscript back to the guesthouse to take a look first?"

Writers generally rarely show unfinished works to others, let alone take them away.

If this is damaged or lost, it will be a major blow to the writer's creation. Such things happen from time to time in the literary world.

But Lin Chaoyang has always been very service-oriented. After a brief thought, he said, "How about this? You stay at home for the next two days. We can discuss after reading the manuscript."

"This..." Li Shifei hesitated, "I'm afraid it will cause you trouble."

In those days, people's interactions were far less distant than in later generations. It was common for friends to stay at home.

Many editors would stay at home when they went to ask writers to write, or vice versa, when writers came to the editorial department to revise their manuscripts, they would also stay at the editor's home.

"It's no trouble. Just don't complain about the simple conditions at home."

After agreeing to stay overnight, Li Shifei couldn't wait to flip through the manuscript.

He was going to stay here tonight, regardless of whether it was late or not, but there was Zhang Guangnian next to him.

Lin Chaoyang looked at Zhang Guangnian, and the meaning in his eyes was probably: I'm going to see him off.

Zhang Guangnian ignored his gaze and pulled him aside, "I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"What else can it be? Joining the Writers Association."

"Didn't I tell you? I'm not interested in this."

"Is this something you are interested in or not? We need unity, unity, do you understand?"

Zhang Guangnian saw that Lin Chaoyang was a bit stubborn, so he simply played the emotional card.

"I was busy with your childbirth a few days ago, and I am so old!

I got home after ten o'clock that day, and I was exhausted. I rested for several days before I recovered."

On the day Tao Yushu gave birth, Zhang Guangnian and a group of award-winning writers waited for Lin Chaoyang in the hospital for most of the day.

Lin Chaoyang muttered, "Did I ask you to wait?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing."

Zhang Guangnian put moral pressure on Lin Chaoyang again, "Do you have the nerve to ask a nearly 70-year-old man to run around in the cold weather? People will criticize me if I tell others about it."

As the saying goes, a gentleman can be deceived. Zhang Guangnian's previous persuasion was useless, and his current operation just happened to grasp Lin Chaoyang's weakness.

"What do you want to blackmail me for?" Lin Chaoyang said helplessly.

"Is this called blackmailing you? This is to encourage you to improve!" Zhang Guangnian said righteously.

He added: "Joining the Cultural Association is not as troublesome as you think. You don't have to come to meetings. You can participate in the occasional activities that you can't avoid as a way to relax and meet friends."

"In addition, our Cultural Association does not only hold meetings, but also has many field trips and interviews, which can help everyone gain knowledge and help your creation."

Zhang Guangnian said here, as if he had made up his mind, and said to him: "Next year, our Cultural Association will visit Hong Kong, and you will be given a place."

Visiting Hong Kong?

Lin Chaoyang disagreed. Putting aside the filter of Hong Kong movies, this city is really unsatisfactory for tourists.

But he also understood that this was his perspective from the future.

Nowadays, being able to go abroad for a stroll is a rare experience in this life for most people. Any unit that has such an opportunity will have its head beaten into a dog's head.

Going to Hong Kong is not strictly speaking not going abroad, but it is no different from going abroad, after all, it is still under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.

Zhang Guangnian offered the opportunity to visit Hong Kong, which was considered sincere. In addition to the moral pressure just now, Lin Chaoyang felt that it would be too unkind to refuse again.

"Okay."

After talking for a long time, Lin Chaoyang finally gave in, and Zhang Guangnian smiled happily.

"That's right! Our Writers Association is not a scourge. There are only benefits and no harm in joining.

You are really a hawk who doesn't want to see the rabbit. You should know that the opportunity to visit Hong Kong is very popular!"

Lin Chaoyang said: "It doesn't matter whether I go to Hong Kong or not. It's not you who asked!"

"You are so ungrateful!"

After mocking Lin Chaoyang, Zhang Guangnian discussed with Lin Chaoyang the specific procedures for joining the Writers Association.

According to the normal procedure, joining the Writers Association must be done level by level, from districts and counties to cities, then to provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and finally the whole country.

Writers with outstanding conditions can also directly join the provincial-level Writers Association, and then join the National Writers Association.

Lin Chaoyang's situation is special. He was invited by Zhang Guangnian, the second-in-command of the National Association of Literary and Art Circles, and became a member of the National Association of Literary and Art Circles.

With his creative achievements and the power of the Mao Dun Literature Prize, these things are certainly not a problem.

But the procedural matters cannot be neglected, and he must leave.

After Zhang Guangnian left, Lin Chaoyang saw that Li Shifei was still concentrating on reading the manuscript, so he went to clean up the room for him, said goodbye to him and went back to sleep.

When he was drowsy, he heard Xiao Dongdong's full-blooded cry again. Tao Yushu fed him but it didn't work, so he touched his body.

"Your son has diarrhea again!"

Lin Chaoyang sighed, and after Tao Yushu cleaned up his son, he went to wash the urine. When he passed by Li Shifei's room, he found that the light in the room was still on.

The next morning, he got up in a somewhat depressed state, and when he left the room, he ran into Li Shifei who was also in a depressed state.