Chapter 252 Worrying About Nothing
Jin Ying stepped forward carelessly to speak up for Huang Anyi, but she felt a little embarrassed standing beside her, so she pulled Jin Ying's hand and asked her to stop talking.
Lin Weimin could roughly understand the source of the rift between Huang Anyi and Mo Yan. Their completely different backgrounds and experiences led to huge differences in their thinking.
This difference is hard to spot in everyday communication, but when talking about someone's work, a remark that another person may make unintentionally can sound very jarring.
"We are all young people, so we just need to get to know each other better. Mo Yan is a bit arrogant, so don't start by finding fault with other people's works!" Lin Weimin said.
Even though Mo Yan behaves like a well-behaved primary school student in front of Lin Weimin, that is entirely out of respect and admiration for Lin Weimin.
Huang Anyi nodded, knowing that her unintentional words just now had a hint of being too intimate. It was indeed inappropriate for her to make such a joke right away when they were not that familiar with each other.
As the group chatted, it was getting dark, so they returned to the hotel and had dinner.
Lin Weimin was planning to go out to digest his food, but was stopped by Cheng Zhongshi.
This honest and taciturn man has a low presence among the writers attending the writers' club. He seldom gathers with others, and even less often talks. Most of the time, he sits quietly in a corner, cigarette in hand, listening to others express their opinions.
One of the biggest advantages of a writers' club is that most writers hang out together day and night, so everyone has plenty of time and energy to communicate with each other. Even if you are a taciturn person, there will always be a time when you will come across a topic that interests you. This is what Cheng Zhongshi did today.
He was born and raised in Shaanxi and started working at a young age. His writing over the years has been focused on short and medium-length novels.
As he grew older, he gradually developed an anxiety in his heart: that he had not yet written a single long novel.
Last year, Lin Weimin went to his home to ask for an article, and during the conversation he stirred up the seed of desire in his heart.
After so much thinking and brewing, the seed is sprouting little by little.
Cheng Zhongshi listened to a lot at the seminar that day, but still felt it was not thorough enough. He also thought a lot in the past few days and found that he was indeed lacking a lot in his experience in writing novels.
Lin Weimin was his editor and also the person he was most familiar with in this event. Cheng Zhongshi was the first person he thought of.
In addition, the most crucial thing is that Cheng Zhongshi has never seen anyone with the ability of Lin Weimin - he is adept at writing medium and long novels of different themes, and there seems to be no limit to his creation.
Cheng Zhongshi and Lu Yao live in the same room next to the balcony. Both of them are from Shaanxi. Lu Yao is smoking and writing and drawing at the desk.
After listening to Cheng Zhongshi's thoughts and troubles, Lin Weimin pondered for a long time.
"In fact, this question requires you to overcome the hurdle in your heart. No one is born with the ability to write a novel. You have written quite a few novellas, many of which are excellent.
The "Mr. Blue Robe" you mentioned in the previous meeting is very good. I also remember that your first published short story was called "After Succession". That novel actually already had the foundation to be expanded into a novel.
The life experience you have accumulated from working in rural areas for a long time is a huge asset. I think this is a good breakthrough point.
Rich materials are the source of inspiration for writers.
I have always believed in your creative ability, so don’t take this matter too seriously.”
Lin Weimin's gentle words made Cheng Zhongshi feel more at ease. He was even more moved that Lin Weimin had actually read the short stories he published many years ago. Given Lin Weimin's age, it was impossible for him to have read them when he was a child. He must have read them after he became responsible for his manuscripts.
Lin Weimin asked: "You just said you wanted to write a long novel, do you have any ideas now?"
Cheng Zhongshi hesitated and said, "Yes, I do have some ideas."
"Tell me about it." Lin Weimin became interested.
"You still need me to send you off last time when you came to collect manuscripts?"
“Remember!”
"There used to be an old patriarch in our village. He was tall and his back was straight."
"I remember. I remember."
"I plan to use him as the prototype of this story, and my hometown Bailuyuan as the prototype, decades ago..."
Cheng Zhongshi, who has always been taciturn, can also become a talkative person when talking about the stories in his heart.
Lin Weimin focused all his energy on him. The stories told by Cheng Zhongshi were long and profound, like a jar of old wine, which made people intoxicated without realizing it.
When Lin Weimin came to his senses, he found that Lu Yao, who was originally sitting at the desk, had run to his side at some point.
"Old Cheng has a really good foundation for this story!" Lu Yao exclaimed in praise.
Lin Weimin nodded in agreement. He had read various versions of this story more than once in later generations, but hearing it from the original author himself today still gave him a special feeling.
He looked at Cheng Zhongshi and said with emotion: "This novel of yours is a huge project!"
Cheng Zhongshi sighed, "It's really a big project, so I'm worried!"
"Don't worry about it! If it's not good, just revise it. If it's not good, just throw it away and rewrite it. Didn't you say you would use this novel as a stepping stone? Don't you have the courage to do that?"
Cheng Zhongshi felt a little embarrassed when he heard what Lin Weimin said, but then he felt a sense of heroism in his heart.
you do not say!
This is the work I will take with me to my grave. So what if it is not well written? I can just write it again. I will stick to it for the rest of my life!
"Weimin, you are right, this is what we should do!"
With this decision and realization, Cheng Zhongshi's expression became firm, and an indomitable spirit appeared on his wrinkled face.
"Brother is awesome!" Lu Yao praised.
Strengthening Cheng Zhongshi's confidence, Lin Weimin discussed with him the details of the novel he was about to write.
Later generations, Lin Weimin watched several film and television adaptations of this magnificent epic, and thought he had a fairly good understanding of the work. However, as they talked, he discovered that the reference he could give Cheng Zhongshi was too limited.
When it comes to character handling, conflict setting, and structural conception in novel writing, there is still a big gap between Cheng Zhongshi and Lin Weimin.
But the novel he was going to write was very special. It did not require any sophisticated or unique design, because the land that gave birth to Cheng Zhongshi had already buried all the ups and downs of the world that had happened over the past hundred years in the deepest part, until someone with a heart dug them all out.
Realizing this situation, Lin Weimin smacked his lips and said, "I won't give you any random advice. The story is in your heart, so just write it boldly. If there's anything you can't figure out, we can discuss it again."
Cheng Zhongshi nodded. With Lin Weimin's encouragement today, his heart was filled with creative motivation and desire.
At this time, Lu Yao said in an envious tone: "I really envy you, Brother Cheng!"
Cheng Zhongshi smiled and asked, "Is there anything I can envy? Actually, I should be the one to envy you."
When Lu Yao was in his early thirties, he had already written a work like "Life", which was very popular all over the country. His fame was so great that he was known throughout the country.
In contrast, Cheng Zhongshi, who is over 40 years old, has been writing for more than 20 years. He has published countless short stories and novellas, but very few of his works have had a real influence. It was not until this year that his situation improved after he published two novellas, "Kang Family Courtyard" and "Early Summer", in "Contemporary".
As such, he could indeed be said to be envious of Lu Yao.
"If you say so, Weimin is the most enviable one!" Lu Yao turned his gaze to Lin Weimin.
Cheng Zhongshi's gaze also turned over almost at the same time.
Looking at the young and handsome Lin Weimin, Cheng Zhongshi couldn't help but sigh.
The day is perfect!
It’s really enviable!
The three of them talked in the room until late at night before Lin Weimin left.
After he left, Lu Yao couldn't sleep and sat at the desk smoking one cigarette after another. He was stimulated by Cheng Zhongshi today.
A person sits at a desk, writing and drawing.
The desk lamp in the room stayed on until late at night.
The next morning, I had breakfast.
Lin Weimin planned to take everyone to YT City for a stroll. When he called people, Lu Yao was still sleeping soundly.
"Coward!"
After spending a long time with Cheng Zhong, Lin Weimin would occasionally utter a few words in Shaanxi dialect.
Yantai is a coastal city with humid air and mild climate. The four seasons are distinct throughout the year, but there is no severe cold in winter and no scorching heat in summer. It is a good place to live.
This group of editors and writers from Contemporary Magazine have only been here for a few days and have gradually fallen in love with this place.
When people go out, they always go in groups and like to walk through the streets and alleys. Occasionally, they will eat a bite of the crispy and tender stewed meat at a stall under a big tree. It is crispy and moist, and mixed with the spicy soup. Once it enters your mouth, your saliva will come out.
They would go to Yuhuangding Park and compete to climb several times in one breath. The one who climbed faster would get the right to sit next to the driver on the return trip. Yuhuangding Park has beautiful scenery, lush trees, and pavilions with ancient style and charm.
Changchun Lake, named after the Changchun Zhenren Qiu Chuji, has not yet been developed into a tourist resort. When you come here, you can walk by the lake until you are tired.
Calling friends together can always magnify simple happiness many times.
Wandering around the streets during the day, Dongshan Hotel becomes everyone's home in the evening.
Some editors will talk to familiar authors about their creative ideas, some writers will hold a book in their hands and share their experiences with everyone, some people will gather together to discuss novel writing, and some people who are not doing their job will chat with everyone and spread all kinds of new information.
There is a much more literary atmosphere in Dongshan Hotel in July.
In such an atmosphere, Lin Weimin's latest work "Lover" was completed.
He wrote the last words on the letter paper, feeling a little disappointed.
After putting down the pen, he stood up and walked to the balcony.
In the middle of summer, the windows of every room in the hotel were open, and the sounds were noisy, as if everyone was chatting.
Everyone is in a relaxed, happy and free atmosphere. There is no better environment for creators.
For Lin Weimin, the organizer, this is a very fulfilling experience.
Two updates today. My family, except me, has been affected. Not only can we not escape the coronavirus, but we can't escape the flu either. Sigh.
(End of this chapter)
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