1980 My literary era

The November issue of "People's Literature" was released as scheduled, and Lin Weimin's works once again occupied a prime position in the publication, attracting the attention of readers.

The stand-alone volume of "Farewell My Concubine" was published two months ago. During this period, sales have been very good. The initial wave of criticism has long since subsided, and has been replaced by a variety of rave reviews.

The Chinese Literature Society has received feedback from bookstores across the country and plans to print more copies this month, so that Lin Weimin can receive another royalties.

This month "The Wind" was published. Taking advantage of this craze, the sales of the November issue of "People's Literature" are booming and are expected to hit new highs.

Under such a favorable situation, the news of the adaptation of "Cliff" also appeared in the newspapers because of the starring role of Tang Guoqiang, which also attracted a lot of attention.

The name Lin Weimin is very popular in the literary circles this year.

Yu Zhaohuai, the editor of "Zhongshan", sent a letter and wanted to make an appointment with him for a manuscript. Yu Zhaohuai is not the only one. Over the past year, Lin Weimin has received so many letters asking for manuscripts that he created a special grid for letters of invitation on the bookshelf where letters from readers are placed.

Faced with countless letters or phone calls asking for manuscripts, Lin Weimin could only politely decline. A person's energy is limited after all.

You can ignore other people's requests for manuscripts, but not Yu Zhaohuai's.

If he hadn't published "A Penny Matter" with his discerning eye, Lin Weimin would still be there now.

Lin Weimin made a special call to Yu Zhaohuai. Yu Zhaohuai was very happy to receive his call.

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

Recently, Lin Weimin published "The Wind" in "People's Literature". This is already his third spy novel, and his creative efficiency is simply astonishing.

Yu Zhaohuai wanted to give him a try by writing him a letter of invitation. He also knew that Lin Weimin was busy now. How many publications across the country wanted to ask him for an appointment.

"Yes, yes, I'm really busy right now. I'm just going to write a short story. Please understand me. Okay, bye!"

Lin Weimin agreed on the phone to Yu Zhaohuai to write a short story and publish it in "Zhongshan".

After putting down the phone, he had a headache. What kind of short story should he write?

Now that you have agreed to something, you can't fool around with it.

He was searching around in his head, but he couldn't think of any good ideas for the time being, so he could only put this matter aside for now.

Anyway, as a writer, if you have no inspiration, it is normal and understandable to wait for a year and a half.

I returned to the office and continued working, still digging for gold among a pile of submissions.

There was a letter from the author that caught Lin Weimin's attention. This letter was not a submission, but a discussion with the editorial department about the return of the manuscript.

Most writers usually only have one manuscript after writing it, which is sent to the editorial office or publishing house. There is no shortage of editorial offices in the country that have returned manuscripts these days - "Harvest".

The rule of returning manuscripts of "Harvest" was established by Balao and has become one of the features 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 his talent is mediocre and that he will be able to publish his works in a publication of the same level as "Contemporary" in his lifetime. There are not many opportunities, and I very much hope that the manuscript of the published work can be preserved as a souvenir.

Lin Weimin felt a little emotional after reading the letter. Every work is like a child to an author. If a child is published in a well-known publication, it will naturally be a success, but if the child cannot return home because of this, it will also be a pity.

Lin Weimin brought this matter up in time for the editorial meeting the next day.

This is not the first time an author has reacted to the issue of returning a writer's manuscript, nor is it the first time an editor has proposed it, but it 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 while it is in the editorial office. If you promise to return the manuscript, if it is damaged or lost, it will be a breach of contract for the author.

Colleagues discussed it for a long time. Everyone had their own opinions, but no consensus was reached. The biggest obstacle was that returning the manuscript was not an option for most editorial offices or publishers. Everyone just followed the crowd and didn’t make any mistakes. .

Some people also put forward an argument that doing so would be suspected of being unfair to others.

In China, "Harvest" has a habit of returning manuscripts. Although colleagues in the editorial department don't say it, everyone knows that the goal of "Contemporary" is to be the best purely literary journal in China. "Harvest" is standing in front of everyone. of a big mountain.

Now I have to learn "Harvest" and return manuscripts to writers, but I feel that I am just inferior to "Harvest".

Qin Chaoyang, who was presiding over the meeting, saw that the discussion was still fruitless and interrupted everyone's discussion by knocking on the table. "Let's take a vote and see if we should implement this measure."

Everyone said nothing, acquiescing to Tan Chaoyang's method.

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

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

Tan Chaoyang pointed to Lin Weimin and said, "Say."

Lin Weimin looked at the colleagues around him and said: "I particularly understand the difficulties you just mentioned. I am also a member of our editorial department. I acknowledge the troubles and impacts you just mentioned, but I want to say something. My point of view."

He put his hands on the table, leaned forward, and looked solemn.

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

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

Lin Weimin asked and answered: "Yes, we want to be China's number one literary publication."

"But, what makes us number one? Our sales volume in the past few issues has been catching up with "Harvest". With this sales volume, are we the number one literary publication in China?"

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

“Sales of a good publication are important, but more important is our influence.

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

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

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

"When it comes to our "Contemporary", people will say that the works they publish are the best and have stirred up 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 greatly from it!"

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

"The first three points I mentioned above, 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.

Just now a colleague said that by saying this, we are losing the wisdom of "Harvest". I disagree with this statement. It's obviously a good thing, so why are we afraid of being accused of being stupid? When did our "Contemporary" become a publication that is afraid of people's opinions?

It’s not that Lu Yao’s “Thrilling Scene” was not favored by publications, but why wasn’t it published? Isn’t it because the publication is concerned about the influence?

The reason why we are willing to publish "Contemporary" is because our starting point is literature itself, not other considerations.

"Harvest" has merits and is one of the three best students among our domestic publications. So what's wrong with our studies?

Is it a good thing to just stick to one's old ways? "

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 a junior like him with these words.

Lin Weimin also knew that what he said was a bit harsh, and he really couldn't control his emotions for a moment, "That's all I have to say. If there is any inconsideration, please forgive me."

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

After more than ten seconds, Qin Chaoyang suddenly laughed loudly and said: "Young people like Weimin still have courage. Weimin is right. If we at "Contemporary" want to be the first in the country in this field, we must win Come out with the courage to be number one in the country!”

"Everyone looks up to the editorial department for the Democracy, both as a colleague and as a teacher. Now that he has grown 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 just said was too serious and would offend his colleagues and make amends for him.

Rong Shihui also made a joke and said: "You young people are so lively and vigorous, but you are going to break our old bones to pieces!"

Tan Chaoyang cooperated: "It's just a matter of effort! Aren't we old men just here to cheer up the young people?"

"Hahaha!"

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

After joking for a while, Tan Chaoyang put away his smile and said, "Okay, let's vote with a show of hands. Raise your hands if you agree."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand.

Next came Lin Weimin, then Long Shihui, and then his colleagues raised their hands one by one.

It’s all said and done, and I’d be embarrassed if I didn’t raise my hand, because I’d be scolded as a loser!

When Lin Weimin saw that the proposal was passed, a smile appeared on his face unconsciously.

"It just so happens that our sixth issue of this year has been published. This news will be published in the publication in the first issue of 2082. It can be regarded as good news for the majority of authors."

When Tan Chaoyang said this, he caught a glimpse of Lin Weimin's smile, glared at him, and scolded: "Don't talk too much. Do you think big words are just talk? To be number one in China is such a big tone. Don't mention it yet. Return the manuscript." You are responsible for everything. If the manuscript is lost or damaged, I will blame you."

Lin Weimin exclaimed, "No, leader!"

All the colleagues laughed, and the laughter was full of schadenfreude.

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

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

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

The proposal he made naturally required his best efforts. Even if some people raised their hands just now and were reluctant, seeing Lin Weimin reap the consequences, he should let go of the discomfort in his heart.

Back in the office, Lin Weimin was inevitably ridiculed by his colleagues, saying that he could be half of the editorial staff. The same was true for the reader questionnaire suggestion mentioned earlier.

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

A few days later, Lin Weimin received a call from Yu Zhaohuai and asked him how the conception of the work was going. The editorial department of "Zhongshan" plans to put his work in the first issue of the new year.

Lin Weimin thought that a short story wouldn't take much time, so he said, "It's just a matter of time, it's just a matter of a few days."

After Yu Zhaohuai's call to urge the manuscript, "Farewell My Concubine" was reprinted, and Lin Weimin received another manuscript payment slip from the publisher. This time, the publisher made a big move and directly printed an additional 500,000 copies. Lin Weimin's small treasury expanded instantly.

After buying the second courtyard next to the Forbidden City, he only had 9,000 yuan left in his small treasury. During this period, he collected the royalties for the adaptation of "The Cliff", the publishing royalties for "The Wind", plus the royalties for "Farewell My Concubine". In terms of printing fees, the small treasury has almost returned to the level before buying a second one into the yard.

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

After packing his things, Lin Weimin hid in the study. He was still thinking about the manuscript he had promised Yu Zhaohuai.

I have been thinking about a lot of topics in the past two days, but I always feel that it is not suitable for use as a short story.

Lin Weimin thought of his first work "A Penny Matter" published in "Zhongshan". The article completely used "a penny" as an introduction, leading to a stubborn character and a thought-provoking story. .

He thought back to that work and found that many aspects he had handled were still too immature. He might as well retell a story based on this core.

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

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

It seems lighthearted, humorous and absurd, but in fact it is full of philosophical thoughts.

Lin Weimin feels that he can completely combine this work to create an interesting work, which is different from the style of his previous works and more similar to "The Death of Yura", but more humorous and absurd.

For creators, breaking out of their comfort zone is the most uncomfortable, but it is also the perfect time for inspiration to burst out.

Lin Weimin's writing never stopped for a moment, and he even lost track of time.

By the time he woke up from the world he had made up, the sky was already dim and bright.

Lin Weimin felt tired from not sleeping all night, but he was still a little excited and didn't want to rest.

He turned back and looked at the newly written work last night with a sober perspective, and frowned.

I was completely immersed in self-pleasure last night, and my writing was still a bit over the top. I should restrain myself a little more. Lin Weimin planned to correct it before sending it to Yu Zhaohuai.