Back to 80: My Literary Life

"Teacher Fang, no, no, no," Yu Hua said quickly.

Generally, the novels given as examples in class are masterpieces by famous writers. Although I am somewhat famous in the literary world now, I am still far from being a famous person.

Fang Minghua disagreed: "Yu Hua, although your novel is not your best work, it is indeed a typical existentialist novel. I have already decided that you should bind the printed copies and distribute them to each dormitory. One copy for two, I didn’t print that many.”

Too much paper.

You have to pay for it yourself.

Yu Hua agreed and printed 30,000 words on the front and back. Although Fang Minghua chose a relatively small font, it would take more than 20 pages to type out, so he might as well bind the two copies separately.

Holding a large pile of typed manuscripts, Yu Hua went up to the fourth floor and began distributing them to each dormitory in the class.

There are no classes today, so most of the students are reading in the dormitory.

Knocking on Liao Runbo's dormitory, Yu Hua saw that both of them were there, so he handed the printed manuscript to Liao Runbo, saying that it was Fang Minghua's request. Everyone had finished reading the novel in the past two days and was going to teach it in class on Friday.

Liao Runbo picked up the printed manuscript and flipped through it. Suddenly he looked up and asked, "Who wrote this?"

"I"

"you?"

"Yes, this is what I submitted to Yanhe magazine. Teacher Fang insisted on using it as an example." Yu Hua explained truthfully.

Liao Runbo said oh and said nothing more.

After Yu Hua left, Qian Yuliang, who had been silent just now, said, "Brother Liao, Yu Hua can do it. Teacher Fang actually used his novel as a model essay. It's really enviable."

After hearing this, Liao Runbo picked up a pack of "Red Light" cigarettes commonly smoked by people in Guangxi Province from the desk, took out one and lit it in his mouth before saying: "Don't be envious, as long as you write well, you can still do it."

"But I can't write avant-garde novels, really." Qian Yuliang looked distressed: "I feel very awkward with this writing technique."

"Don't use it if it's awkward, use what you like best and what you're good at." Liao Runbo took a puff of cigarette and looked at the other person: "Who said writers have to write avant-garde novels?!"

“But avant-garde literature is now popular in the literary world.”

"Fashion is good? What about influenza?" Liao Runbo said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Qian Yuliang did not answer, but silently picked up the book he had just read.

What he read was Wang Zengqi's novel collection "Supper Flower Collection". He liked Wang Zengqi's novels and essays.

Of course, Yu Hua would not forget the female student who lived upstairs across the street and sent her novel to her.

"Awesome, Yu Hua, Teacher Fang actually used your novel as a model essay? It's still unpublished!" Li Hongying was very impressed, and Chen Hong next to her had a look of admiration on her face.

"Please give me your opinions, two classmates!" Yu Hua said modestly, but felt quite proud in his heart. He especially noticed the look on Chen Hong's face when he looked at her.

After Yu Hua left, Li Hongying and Chen Hong lay together and looked at each other.

"Hey, if I didn't know Yu Hua, I would feel that the author of this novel is probably a lunatic." Li Hongying couldn't help complaining as she looked at it. "The style of the novel is too separate from the author himself."

Chen Hong said: "I think this is good. A novel is a novel, and the author is the author. They don't interfere with each other."

"I can't do it." Li Hongying shook her head: "I think the novel is the author's self-expression, describing his own experience. I really can't write like him."

"Then write according to your style, just like Yu Dafu." Chen Hong said with a smile.

"Yu Dafu? I don't have that ability. I hope I can write an article that Teacher Fang will like." Li Hongying put down the manuscript and was fascinated.

On Friday afternoon, Fang Minghua went to class on time.

Standing on the podium, Fang Minghua looked at the students in the audience and said: "Students, from today on I will start talking about another important type of avant-garde literature - existential novels."

"Existentialism is originally a philosophical term. Reflected in the field of literature, it focuses on the exploration and thinking of individuals. Through the observation, exposure and criticism of reality, it expresses doubts about traditional values. The literature that emerged in France in the late 1930s School, representative figures include Sartre, Camus, Beauvoir, Mailer, etc.”

"Now, let's take the "April 3rd Incident" written by Comrade Yu Hua as an example to talk about the characteristics of this form of avant-garde novel writing."

At this point, Fang Minghua looked at Yu Hua and shouted: "Yu Hua!"

"Here!" Yu Hua stood up.

"Go to the podium and tell everyone about the conception, layout and thoughts you want to express in writing this novel." Fang Minghua said.

I tell you?

Yu Hua was stunned for a moment, but still walked onto the podium.

Fang Minghua got off the podium and sat in Yu Hua's seat.

"Comrades, you have all read this novel. I adopted irrational and unconventional writing thinking and techniques, focusing on psychological description, which makes the story somewhat strange and bizarre."

"In the front of the novel, a series of words full of Hitchcockian metaphors and hints are used to slowly create a tense, depressive, and even terrifying atmosphere. You can see this paragraph."

Yu Hua seemed a little nervous at first, but became more proficient and calm as he continued to speak. The speech lasted for an hour before it was all over, and received warm applause.

Eloquence is really good!

Fang Minghua was very impressed. He walked up to the podium and said: "Comrade Yu Hua said it very well. What I want to say is that this novel has been adopted by our "Yanhe" magazine and will be published on the front page next month! "

Everyone immediately looked at Yu Hua with envy.

"Don't envy him. Our Yanhe magazine is open to all authors. If you have good works, you can submit them to our Yanhe magazine!"

"Isn't it OK if it's not a avant-garde novel?"

He Liwei, who was sitting at the same table as Yu Hua, suddenly stood up and asked.

The classroom suddenly became quiet.

"Why do you ask?" Fang Minghua asked.

"Jin Yong once said this in his novel "The Deer and the Cauldron": Even if you don't know Chen Chen Haonan, it's useless to call him a hero! Now a similar saying is popular in the literary world: If you don't submit "Yanhe", it is not a avant-garde novel!"

As soon as this was said, everyone laughed.

Fang Minghua couldn't help but laugh too. Unexpectedly, this guy was also a martial arts fan.

It's just that it's not Young and Dangerous Chen Haonan but Chen Jinnan!

I guess I remembered it wrong, the Young and Dangerous series hasn't been released yet.

But there is a certain reason for what He Liwei said.

Since Fang Minghua took charge of "Yanhe" magazine, "Yanhe" has almost become the home base of domestic avant-garde literature, bringing together a large number of young avant-garde writers such as Yu Hua, Su Tong, Mo Yan, etc., and the stars were shining brightly for a while.

Fang Minghua looked at He Liwei, motioned for him to sit down, and then said: "First of all, let me correct you. Wei Xiaobao's master in "The Deer and the Cauldron" is Chen Jinnan, not Chen Haonan."

Everyone laughed again after hearing this.

“And what I want to emphasize is, “Yanhe” has published a large number of avant-garde works this year and does not exclude other types of novels! "

"Since He Liwei talked about this topic, the point I want to emphasize here is that although avant-garde novels are now in full swing, and I am talking about avant-garde novels, the domestic literary world cannot and will not only have avant-garde novels! Every literary school can flourish. The process of decline, avant-garde literature is no exception!

"After I finish all my lectures, I will set aside some time to talk about this issue, and we will take a ten-minute break and continue the lecture."

In the morning, Fang Minghua used his analysis of Yu Hua's novel to call on everyone to actively contribute to "Yanhe". In the evening, someone brought a novel.

Not pioneering.

The author turned out to be Liao Runbo