Chapter 201: Talents Are Selected in Any Way
A month after Lin Weimin returned to Yanjing, Yu Hua's novels finally arrived in the mail, a total of two novellas, "Going on a Long Journey at the Age of Eighteen" and "At Noon when the Northwest Wind Howls".
This time was more than four years earlier than the time when Yu Hua was supposed to publish these two novellas in later generations, which was naturally closely related to Lin Weimin.
After receiving the manuscripts and conducting three reviews, everyone agreed that both novels had reached the standard for publication in Contemporary.
Lin Weimin made a special call to Yu Hua to tell him that the editorial department had decided to publish the two novels.
Yu Hua was very excited on the phone, thanked him for a long time, and then asked Lin Weimin hesitantly.
"Teacher Lin, can these two novels be published together?"
Lin Weimin was stunned, "There is no precedent for this!"
"Then you can make an exception!"
Yu Hua's tone was like someone buying vegetables on the street. Lin Weimin was amused by this boy and asked, "Did you brag to others?"
Yu Hua laughed embarrassedly, "I'm not bragging. I just told my dad that both of my manuscripts would be published in Contemporary. Publishing two manuscripts at once, how awesome is that!"
"Okay, I'll apply to the editor-in-chief."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Weimin said to Qin Chaoyang: "Leader, you heard everything."
Qin Chaoyang shook his head and laughed, "This little guy is really good at making trouble."
"I think this is not a matter of principle. The quality of the novel is indeed high and it deserves the attention of two articles in one issue. This can be regarded as our publication's discovery and cultivation of young writers.
We attach so much importance to him this time, will this guy dare to publish his manuscripts in other publications in the future?"
Qin Chaoyang scolded: "Just spoil him!"
"How can this be called habit? Don't you recognize the quality of the two novels "Going on a Long Journey at the Age of Eighteen" and "At Noon When the Northwest Wind Howls"?
I think this is also an opportunity for our publication to expand its influence.
Think about it, when the magazine is released, readers will see that the author must have something, as two novels are published in one issue. Then they will see the quality and find that the author is indeed good and deserves such treatment.
Didn’t Yu Hua become famous all of a sudden?
We call this recruiting talents regardless of their background, what do you think? "
Lin Weimin rolled his eyes and made up a story that sounded justified and aboveboard, making Qin Chaoyang almost think that he had colluded with Yu Hua.
However, he had to admit that what Lin Weimin said made some sense.
"Yu Hua's two works are certainly not up to the level of Life, but if we can use two novels in one issue to make him stand out in the literary world, doesn't this just demonstrate the influence of Contemporary?"
Having said that, Qin Chaoyang had nothing to say and could only point at Lin Weimin with a wry smile.
"You guys have said everything. If I don't agree, wouldn't I be considered an old stubborn person who doesn't give young people a chance?"
Lin Weimin complimented: "You are a great talent scout!"
"No! You should be the mentor. You are the author like the editor."
The old comrade's words didn't sound like good things, but Lin Weimin didn't care, because his goal had been achieved anyway.
He called Yu Hua back on the spot. The guy almost jumped up and down on the phone, and kept thanking him. Lin Weimin naturally wanted to bring Qin Chaoyang out and let the old comrade enjoy the incense.
After confirming that the manuscript was completed, Qin Chaoyang no longer paid attention to Lin Weimin and lowered his head to look at the manuscript on the table.
"Leader!" Lin Weimin shouted.
Qin Chaoyang raised his head, "What else do you want, kid?"
"I have an idea, I want to discuss it with you?"
Qin Chaoyang knew that Lin Weimin always had a lot of ideas. He placed the pen he used for annotations horizontally on the manuscript paper and said, "Then tell me about it."
"Boss, I want Yu Hua's two manuscripts to be included in the January issue, and then I want to find a few more young authors with potential..."
When Lin Weimin said this, Qin Chaoyang already understood what he meant. Two years later, Lin Weimin went back to his old job.
"You want to make an album again?"
“Whether it’s an album or a special topic, they are all just titles. What’s important is to promote the influence of our Contemporary magazine with the spirit of daring to recruit talents regardless of their background.”
Qin Chaoyang pondered, and was quite moved by Lin Weimin's idea.
“Isn’t the January issue too tight?”
"This is a good time to start the new year."
"Then let's all hurry up and search to see if there are any outstanding young people or works to recommend. This is a good idea, kid."
After leaving Qin Chaoyang, Lin Weimin returned to the office and saw a young man wearing glasses standing next to his desk.
Liu Yin said, "Weimin, this is Comrade Zhong Lin, the editor of Script, who is here to see you."
The young man immediately stepped forward and said hello: "Hello, Mr. Lin, I am Zhong Lin from "Script"."
Lin Weimin shook his hand and asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"
Zhong Lin nodded and explained his purpose.
It turned out that "Script" was planning to publish Lin Weimin's drama scripts "The Intouchables" and "Farewell My Concubine".
Script is a professional drama literature creation magazine founded by Tian Han, Zhang Guangnian and other older dramatists in 1953. It was discontinued in 1966 and resumed in 1979. It is now considered the leading drama literature and drama art magazine in China.
Most of the articles published are plays, operas, and film scripts. Among them, there are also articles on script reviews, playwright research, creative problem research, and exchanges between Chinese and foreign theatrical art and culture.
With Mr. Wan's incense in his heart, Lin Weimin naturally agreed to the request of "Script" after learning the purpose of Zhong Lin's visit, and did not even ask for the fee. He knew that "Script" was a publication issued by the Dramatists Association, and the standard of payment for manuscripts was not high.
After expressing his gratitude, Zhong Lin continued, "Regarding the award, many senior members of the association are very confident about the quality of your work..."
Lin Weimin finally understood that Zhong Lin had come here today for another mission.
The National Excellent Screenplay Writing Award has been awarded for two years, and Lin Weimin's work has never been on the list of winners. Everyone knows the reason.
He laughed and said, "It doesn't matter. Winning an award is not important to me. Didn't Mr. Mei Lanfang say that a gold or silver cup is not as good as the reputation of the people?"
Zhong Lin didn't continue talking, as further talk would involve Mr. Wan.
To put it bluntly, he was commissioned by a senior from the association to communicate with Lin Weimin today. Such an outstanding playwright cannot have a rift with the association because of the award issue.
"Besides, I should have come to you a long time ago. The association wants to recruit you as a member."
Lin Weimin refused without even thinking: "Forget it, I'm just an amateur screenwriter, I won't join the association."
He also understood the purpose of the association sending the young man Zhong Lin here today, which was to express goodwill to him by publishing two scripts and to resolve unnecessary barriers and misunderstandings.
At the same time, it is also a way of affirming one's own work and abilities to the outside world.
By the way, I was asked to apply to join the association. I am now a well-known screenwriter, but I have not joined the Dramatists Association for reasons of avoiding suspicion.
I guess those old comrades also value talent, but they can't ask directly to get themselves in because of Mr. Wan's face.
Now let Zhong Lin invite me, and then say later that he applied for it on his own initiative. Comrades, you can't reject such an outstanding comrade, right?
Lin Weimin politely declined Zhong Lin's proposal and sent him out the door.
After coming back, I couldn't help but sigh, they are all a bunch of old foxes!
After get off work in the evening, Lin Weimin rode his motorcycle to the National Theatre of China. Today it was Shi Yizhi who came to see him.
As soon as he entered the room, Shi Zhi poured him a cup of tea. Lin Weimin teased, "Teacher Yu, you are a bit too attentive."
Yi Shizhi smiled and said, "Isn't this how you are treated when you come here normally?"
"But your expression isn't so flattering, is it?"
"That's flattery!" Yi Shizhi naturally didn't take Lin Weimin's joke seriously. He said, "It seems you know why I invited you here?"
"As soon as you found Zhuangzhuang, I had almost guessed it."
Yi Shizhi smiled and said, "I heard that you have already finished writing 'The Horse Catcher'?"
“Yes, it will be published in January next year.”
"Oh, that's great. We are just short of a script." Yi Shizhi said, rubbing his hands.
"The People's Art Theatre is still short of scripts? Aren't they going to introduce Mr. Arthur Miller's works soon?" Lin Weimin joked.
Yi Shizhi shook his head. "Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst! Mr. Arthur Miller hasn't even decided on his schedule yet. We may have to wait until two years later to stage his work. It's better to use your work!"
The news that the National Theatre of China invited Arthur Miller to visit China was not made public, but given the relationship between Lin Weimin and Mr. Wan, it was not surprising for Shi Zhi to know about this.
Lin Weimin said helplessly: "Teacher Yu, how do you know that this novel is suitable for adaptation into a script?"
Then Zhizhi asked back: "Is it not suitable?"
Lin Weimin was suddenly speechless. Although he didn't want to admit it, the structure of "The Horse Catcher" was simply born for the stage of drama.
When Yi Shizhi saw his reaction, he showed a bit of pride on his face and praised him: "You are still thinking about us, the People's Art Theatre!"
I really wasn’t thinking about you, Lin Weimin said in his heart.
The job of writing drama scripts is not cost-effective and the pay is very low. Not only do you have to write the script, but you also have to supervise the rehearsals and revise the script, which is very troublesome.
"The Intouchables" has been performed for two years. Apart from the initial 300 yuan in royalties, the income from the performance share brought to Lin Weimin is only 160 yuan, which adds up to more than 400 yuan, not even a fraction of the income from the publication of the novel.
If it was less busy in the past, it wouldn’t have mattered.
The key point is that Lin Weimin has more and more things to do now. This year, the publishing house asked him to participate in an outing to collect manuscripts, but he turned it down due to various reasons.
"Teacher Yu, it's okay for you to use the novel, but you can write the script yourself in your department." Lin Weimin said.
Yi Shizhi also understood his thoughts. He knew Lin Weimin's situation very well. Not to mention how busy his work was, the royalties he earned from his novels alone were something that most people of this era would look up to.
The news that his novel was published abroad some time ago and received a sky-high fee was still a hot topic in the literary and art circles of Yenching.
We can't expect people to continue to provide works to the People's Art Theater with meager royalties. After all, times are different now.
"Then how about letting Teacher Lan take the lead in reading the script?" Yi Shizhi asked.
Lan Yinhai and Lin Weimin have collaborated on two plays and know each other well. Lin Weimin nodded and said, "I am confident in Teacher Lan's level."
"That's settled then." Yi Shizhi thought for a moment and said, "But we have agreed that you have to come more often to guide the writing of the script and the rehearsal of the crew when you are free."
"That's for sure. I'll come over when I have time."
After talking about the serious business, Lin Weimin and Yi Shizhi chatted for a few more times before saying goodbye and leaving.
After he left, Yi Shizhi sighed slightly.
Unexpectedly, Weimin's growth rate is so fast that the National Theatre of China can hardly keep up with his pace.
Yi Shizhi couldn't help but recall the scene when Mr. Wan handed him the script of "The Intouchables".
"Yes, you can ask the colleagues in the academy to take a look at this script and ask them to help revise it to see if it can be used."
Yi Shizhi shook his head and laughed at himself, "What do you need to modify? I can't get it even if I beg for it!"
(End of this chapter)
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