Back to 80: My Literary Life

"Female College Student Dormitory" is a short story, the content of which is actually very simple.

Set in a university in Wuhan in the 1980s, the novel uses the "Five Golden Flowers" of the Chinese Department of a university in Wuhan - their experiences such as scholarship evaluation, dormitory maintenance, work-study, birthday parties and other events to show their richness and richness that gradually merged amid conflicts. The interesting college life truly shows the spiritual outlook of college students in the 1980s, and reflects the influence and education of the times and society on every young college student.

It can be said to be the originator of youth novels.

College students in the 1980s were undoubtedly the most active and energetic group at that time, but strangely there were almost no novels describing their life, study and thinking.

If we go back further, we have to go to "Long Live Youth" written by Wang Meng in the 1950s, but that was also written about middle school students.

This "Female College Student Dormitory" is undoubtedly the first of its kind.

The poetic narrative language, free stretch, and eclectic writing style are refreshing.

How could such an excellent novel be discarded so casually?

Hey, the editorial department really needs to replace a few more people!

Thinking of this, Fang Minghua said to Bai Miao: "Brother Bai, I think it's good. I should be able to pass."

"But you are not afraid of Lao Sun?" Bai Miao looked a little worried.

There is an unwritten rule in the editorial department. Those manuscripts that are rejected by senior editors will generally not be raised by others, especially those submitted by unknown newcomers.

Lao Sun is a senior senior editor, and he is the chief reviewer of this novel. If you, a young junior, suddenly step in and deny their decision, it can easily cause conflicts.

This is what Bai Miao is worried about.

But Fang Minghua doesn't care so much.

If this novel is PASSed, it can only be said that we editors are blind!

I remember back then, Lu Yao's "Ordinary World" was rejected by an editor named Zhou of "Contemporary" at that time. I regretted it later when I mentioned it.

We can't do this!

"It's okay, I'll go find Sister Li."

After eating, Fang Minghua went straight to Li Tianfang's office on the third floor without taking a break. When he saw that the other party was working, he handed the manuscript to Li Tianfang without any unnecessary nonsense.

"Sister Li, I think this novel should not be rejected, but should be published directly."

"Female College Dormitory"?

Li Tianfang frowned slightly: "Xiao Fang, you didn't review this submission, right?"

It turns out that everyone in the editorial department who reviews a certain submission is registered to avoid missing the review or suppressing the manuscript.

"No, it's Editor Sun, but I think it's well written."

After hearing this, Li Tianfang also picked up the manuscript and read it carefully.

The article was not long, only about 8,000 words. She read it carefully and looked delighted: "It is well written. The author is good at capturing the subtle psychological activities of the characters, and uses exquisite language to convey the author's keen and delicate artistic feeling. It seems that he is a Written by a girl.

"However, the magazine's manuscript schedule for December is already full. If it is to be published, I'm afraid it will have to be January next year." Li Tianfang said.

"Then take down my article and publish this novel first."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Li Tianfang was surprised.

"Because, I want to recommend this novel to participate in this year's national outstanding short story selection in the name of the magazine." Fang Minghua slowly said his purpose.

ah? !

Li Tianfang was shocked. Unexpectedly, Fang Minghua suggested recommending this novel to participate in the award!

Isn't this too courageous?

It hasn't been officially published yet, and I don't know how readers will respond.

Li Tianfang shook his head and said: "Xiao Fang, it's okay to publish it in the December magazine, but whether it is recommended for awards or not, we have to see the readers' reaction when we see it."

"Okay, Sister Li, I don't think you will be disappointed." Fang Minghua said.

"Xiao Fang, are you so confident that you admire this novel?" Li Tianfang asked.

This is history.

Of course Fang Minghua would not say that, he explained:

"Sister Li, you also said that this novel is well written. Besides, there are many novels in the literary world that take young girls as protagonists and write them in such a delicate way!"

Li Tianfang couldn't help but nodded after hearing this.

"Well, why don't I replace the article and publish it in the next issue, and what you wrote in this issue will be published together with this novel!"

Fang Minghua naturally had no objection.

Not long after he got to work in the afternoon, Fang Minghua was sitting in the office leisurely drinking tea. He had just taken out a submission for review when Editor Sun from next door came in aggressively:

"Xiao Fang! You actually took the novel that I had rejected to Li Tianfang and asked her to approve it for publication?"

"Yes? What's wrong?"

"Do you understand the rules?"

"What rules? I looked at the editorial review system. I don't seem to have violated any of them, right?" Fang Minghua looked puzzled.

This guy is pretending to be a fool!

But it’s not easy for Editor Sun to say to someone in the office, “Why do you still want to review a manuscript that I rejected?” !

But how can you swallow this breath?

He suppressed his anger and said, "Okay! Let's discuss this novel! The whole article has no ups and downs of the plot, no suspense, and is completely straightforward. Why do you say yes?"

There are ups and downs of the plot, but no earth-shattering scenes?

Fang Minghua suddenly remembered that this was not the contemporary editor Zhou's review of "The Ordinary World"?

It seems that there are quite a few people who think this way.

Fang Minghua was not in a hurry and said: "Although there is nothing like what you said, this seemingly simple story fully explores human nature's inner yearning for higher ideals and beliefs. The structure is all remarkable. Isn’t it a masterpiece?!

"But the writing style is a bit immature and not thick enough!" Editor Sun retorted.

"Childish?" Fang Minghua smiled.

"According to the resume attached to the author, she is less than 20 years old this year. How sophisticated can you ask a female college student to write? Editor Sun, you also write novels. How sophisticated are your articles when you were twenty? ?”

"you?!"

Editor Sun was so angry that he was almost speechless.

This is a bit heartbreaking.

Not to mention that what he wrote when he was young was not very good, and he is still not good now. He can only occasionally publish some small articles, otherwise he would have gone to the Writers Association to become a professional writer.

At this time, the people next to them quickly pulled the two away. Editor Sun slammed the door and left in anger, but Fang Minghua picked up the enamel jar as if nothing had happened.

Bai Miao, who was sitting opposite him, looked at this situation and asked in a low voice: "Xiao Fang, do you really admire this novel so much?"

"Brother Bai, you also read it. Is it good?" Fang Minghua asked.

"It's not bad." Bai Miao nodded: "But I don't think it has shocked me yet, just like watching "Life"."

Compare it to "Life"

Fang Minghua was a little helpless.

But the person sitting across from him was also a future literary giant. Although he was still a novice, he decided to say a few more words.

He put down the enamel jar and said:

"Brother Bai, you can't look at it this way. There are mostly male writers in the literary world now, and few female writers can write such youthful and delicate novels. Wang Anyi from Shencheng is one, Zhang Jie from Yanjing is also one, Longjiang is one Zhang Kangkang from the province can only be counted as half of it, who else? Based on this, I dare say that if this novel is selected for the Best Short Story Award this year, it will also win!"

"Huh? Really?"

"Just wait and see?" Fang Minghua picked up the enamel vat again.

The quarrel between Fang Minghua and Editor Sun soon spread throughout the magazine.

There was some trouble at the magazine, and everyone at the Writers Association knew about it.

No, Lu Yao actually came to the door.

Thank you Ye Yu Feng Chui Leng and others for your monthly votes.