1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 24: Dening Has Not Sleep Yet

A few days ago, the first snow of winter fell in Beijing.

The snow on the roofs melted, forming icicles of varying lengths on the eaves of many buildings and under the signboards of street shops.

As soon as Jiang Xian returned to the guesthouse, he ran into Zhang Dening coming down from upstairs.

"Teacher Dening, have you eaten?"

"Jiang Xian, you're back just in time. I came here to find you."

"Looking for me? Is there something wrong?"

"Renwen Press is holding a national competition for outstanding short stories. Did you know about this?"

"National Excellent Short Story Selection?"

Jiang Xian probably had some impression.

The National Outstanding Short Story Selection is the first national novel awards event held in New China.

This is the first time it is held, and it is of great significance!
It is an absolute honor to receive this award.

Zhang Dening continued, "We have discussed this at a meeting at Beijing Literature and Art Magazine, and we plan to publish your Chess King."

"Is it?"

Jiang Xian looked excited.

Zhang Dening also looked proud.

"The Chess King" is a work she discovered personally. If it wins an award, she, as the editor, will also benefit from it.

She then introduced to Jiang Xian, "This year is the first year, and the selections are some novels published between December last year and October this year, submitted by magazines, recommended by the public, and selected by experts."

"October this year." Jiang Xian was worried. "The Chess King will be published in November. Will it be in time for the selection?"

"Don't worry." Zhang Dening smiled. "We in Beijing still have some face. This time our magazine has submitted two novels, one is your "Chess King" and the other is Teacher Zhang Jie's "The Child from the Forest."

After hearing this, Jiang Xian felt that he had a sure win for the award.

The quality of "The Chess King" is self-evident, and its fame has already spread and it has a mass base.

not to mention.

Even "Scars" can win an award, so why can't "The Chess King" win an award?
"That's good too. If both Zhang Jie and I win an award, we can still be together at the award ceremony."

"You're planning too early. The award ceremony won't be held until next spring."

As they were talking, they had already reached the third floor. Seeing that the door of Room 3 was ajar, Jiang Xian thought about saying hello to Zhang Jie.

I knocked on the door and went in. "Teacher Zhang, I just heard from Teacher Dening about the selection."

"Jiang Xian?" Zhang Jie stood up from her chair. "I was reading your literary review."

Zhang Dening exclaimed, "Another critical article?"

“It was published in the Literary Gazette.”

"Really?" Zhang Dening was so surprised that he covered his mouth. "Congratulations, Jiang Xian."

"Ah? Jiang Xian was a little confused.

"Xiao Jiang, it seems that you still lack understanding of these top literary newspapers and magazines in the country."

Zhang Jie explained with a smile that "Wenyi Bao" is the official newspaper of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Literary masters such as Mao Dun, Ding Ling, Zhang Guangnian, and Feng Mu have served as editors-in-chief. It is the highest publication for publishing literary theory research and literary criticism.

"I see." Jiang Xian reacted.

To put it bluntly, "Wenyi Bao" is the highest-level battlefield for publishing literary criticism articles.

He couldn't help but become curious about the critical article published there.

"Teacher Zhang, what did you write?"

"Read it yourself." Zhang Jie handed over the newspaper.

Jiang Xian spread out the newspaper and took a closer look.

A review article titled "The "Chess King" is a benchmark for educated youth literature" was prominently published on the literary review page:
[Jiang Xian appeared in the literary world of Beijing!
A human spirit appears in the capital every ten years or so. The human spirit born in the past ten years is called Jiang Xian!
His work "The Chess King" is a tribute to human wisdom, attention, energy and potential.

Jiang Xian was not influenced by the culture of the time on his literary creation. He avoided mainstream literature and focused his writing on the general public.

His observation of life is sensitive and meticulous.

He pointed out the root cause of anxiety in secular society in one article:

We are poor not because we lack material things, but because our souls are empty.]
"I rarely see Zhong Chengxiang write criticism for new writers, and give them such high praise." Zhang Dening said with disbelief in his tone.

In the weeks after the publication of "The Chess King", major newspapers and magazines had also published some critical articles, but this time the comments were unusual.

The author of this article is Zhong Chengxiang, who is a visiting professor at more than 10 prestigious universities including Tsinghua University and Yan University, and is one of the leaders in literary and art criticism today.

Previously, Wang Zengqi wrote a review article for "The Chess King".

But what is not well known is that this old man did not actually enjoy much reputation in the domestic literary world at that time. Wang Zengqi's literary career lasted for more than half a century. He was a typical late bloomer. He only began to publish a large number of works after he was 60 years old.

Zhong Chengxiang is different. He holds important positions in the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Ministry of Education, and the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television. He has also published many literary reviews in newspapers and magazines such as "Literary Review", "People's X News", "Guangming X News", "Wenhui Daily", and "Wenyi Bao".

His status and influence in the industry are really beyond what Wang Zengqi can compare to today.

"Jiang Xian, why don't you write another article about your creative writing?" Zhang Dening said eagerly, "Now is a great time to add fuel to this literary feast. It just so happens that it can be used in the novel selection."

"."

Looking at the other party's expectant eyes, Jiang Xian also understood how important this creative talk was, but he still asked instinctively.

"Will you give me money?"

Zhang Dening rolled his eyes and said, "We will charge you 7 yuan per thousand words according to the standard of famous writers!"

Jiang Xian, who has always been as steady as an old dog, suddenly became full of energy.

"I'll give you the manuscript as soon as possible."

Return to room 304.

Jiang Xian washed his face, sat at the table, filled his pen with ink, and began to write his creative talk.

In Jiang Xian's view, the so-called creative talk is to share some writing experiences and mental journeys, which is simply the experience of success, which is similar to the success studies of later generations.

Who is the best writer at studying success?
There are many different opinions, but the first person Jiang Xian thought of was Ke Yunlu, a writer from the Jin Army. The popular TV series "New Star" was adapted from his novel of the same name.

Similar to "Bright Sword", "New Star" is also an example of a drama that is popular but the book is not.

Ke Yunlu also wanted to write it into a trilogy, telling the story of the vast reform and opening up, but the reform and opening up at that time had just begun, and his writing style, which was purely based on imagination and speculation, could not be recognized by the market and readers at all.

So in the late 80s, this writer changed his career and started to study Qgong, success studies, and marriage between men and women.
Jiang Xian held the fountain pen, his thoughts flowed like a spring, he wrote line by line quickly, the tip of the pen made a rustling sound.

"Dong-dong-dong, dong-dong-dong."

"Teacher Dening."

Room 212 of the guest house.

Zhang Dening woke up from his dream, opened the door, put on his clothes, and saw Jiang Xian standing outside with his arm supported.

"Teacher Dening, you haven't slept either?"

"???"

"I have already written my creative talk, would you like to take a look?"

“You wrote it in one night?”

Zhang Dening was so shocked that he woke up.

He said as soon as possible, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon!
(End of this chapter)