Back to 80: My Literary Life

After introducing each other, the four of them entered the restaurant.

The wooden floor, snowflake roof, pine tower lamp, carved columns, fountain,... are full of Russian style. Four people came to a private room, all the dishes were served, and the four of them chatted while eating.

The two beautiful girls both studied dance and had a common topic, talking about dance. Fang Minghua and Wang Shuo were drinking and chatting. Perhaps because of the alcohol, Wang Shuo's chatterbox opened up, and the true nature of "Kanye" was suddenly revealed.

From the interactions with Song Yuemin to some interesting stories about eating at Lao Mo's restaurant, of course it is indispensable to praise Song Yuemin.

"Among our group of brothers, he is the most promising, and he is now a deputy regimental cadre!"

Fang Minghua just listened quietly without saying anything.

Wang Shuo was not drunk and was not talking nonsense. He just wanted to get closer to each other by "talking" like this. You must know that Song Yuemin is the brother-in-law of the editor-in-chief in front of him!

But it doesn't seem to have much effect.

So he quickly gave up this strategy and shifted the focus of the topic to novels.

"Editor Fang, I recently wrote a novel, would you like to read it?" Wang Shuo said.

"Can."

Wang Shuo immediately took out a manuscript from his bag, one thick and one thin.

Fang Minghua took it and saw that they all had the same title: "Stewardess"!

Sure enough, this is Wang Shuo's chapter of fame.

It was this novel that Wang Shuo truly opened the door to literature.

only

Why are there two "Stewardess" books, one thick and one thin?

Seeing Fang Minghua's surprised look, Wang Shuo explained:

"Editor Fang, I'm not an outsider, so I'll tell you the truth. I originally submitted this novel to "Contemporary". I was an editor at Dragon at first. After reading my first draft, he said that the plot was a bit weak, so I re-edited it. Revised and expanded to 90,000 words, this is the thick one."

After Wang Shuo finished speaking, he pointed at one of the books and continued: "It turns out that before the novel was published, the editor named Long resigned and was replaced by an editor named Zhang. He also said that my writing was too verbose and asked me to streamline it, going back and forth. I tried it 9 times and it still doesn’t work.”

After speaking, Wang Shuo picked up a glass of wine and drank it in one gulp.

It seems that there is resentment in my heart.

But yes, a novel of only 40,000 words has been revised nine times, which is probably not good for anyone.

Fang Minghua didn't say anything. He picked up the thin draft and read it silently.

It was not long at more than 40,000 words. After reading it, Fang Minghua picked up the thicker one and looked at it carefully.

Wang Shuo looked at Fang Minghua's focused eyes. He wanted to ask several times but held back. He didn't ask quickly until he saw that the other party had finished reading the last page.

"Editor Fang, what do you think?"

Fang Minghua looked at his nervous eyes and smiled: "As for the two versions, I think the one with fewer words is better written, the text is concise, and the writing is quite touching."

"Hey, actually, this is the manuscript I originally wrote." Wang Shuo's tone was a bit self-deprecating.

"Let me take it back and look at it carefully. How about I give you a reply in two days? I will give you an accurate reply whether it succeeds or not, and I won't let you change it nine times."

"Sure! I just like having fun!" Wang Shuo became happy.

After eating, the two parties said goodbye and left.

Fang Minghua and Song Tangtang left first. After seeing them off, Wang Shuo went to the counter to pay the bill.

"Forty-eight yuan and fifty cents, a pound of food stamps."

The waiter reported a number. The flesh on Wang Shuo's face couldn't help but jump, but he calmly took out five ten-yuan tickets from his pocket.

Shen Xujia, who was watching next to him, felt heartbroken.

Nearly fifty.

One month’s salary for an average working-class family!

After the money was paid, Wang Shuo sent Shen Xujia back to school.

"Wang Shuo, eating here is really expensive." The girl couldn't help but say.

"It doesn't matter. If that novel is published, I can earn 400 yuan based on the general standard of 10 yuan per thousand words!" Wang Shuo comforted.

"Then do you think the novel will be published this time?" Shen Xujia asked.

"I think I can!" Wang Shuo encouraged himself.

At this time, Fang Minghua and Song Tangtang took the bus back to the General Political Courtyard.

In the car, Song Tangtang suddenly said: "Minghua, I don't like Wang Shuo very much."

"Huh?" Fang Minghua turned his head and looked at him.

"Actually, he and my brother don't know each other very well. We just had a few meals together as friends, but today we talked at the dinner table as if we were close buddies. They were extremely affectionate."

"That's because you are my girlfriend, and your brother is my uncle. If you get to know him well, you will get closer to him and me." Fang Minghua replied with a smile.

"That's why I don't like it." The girl continued: "Look at Teacher Chen and Brother Lu Yao, have you never heard of getting close to that editor?"

"People are different, not to mention that Wang Shuo is now at a low point in his life, so there is nothing wrong with doing so." Fang Minghua explained: "More importantly, Wang Shuo is different from Lu Yao and Chen Zhongshi. He is not a pure literary writer. , belongs to social writing.”

"What's the meaning?"

"Writing is not a hobby, but more for survival. Think about it, he revised a short novel 9 times without complaining, at least in front of the editor, because there is only one purpose: to publish the novel If you go out, you will get royalties."

Fang Minghua said lightly.

"And his novels are not pure literature like Chen Zhongshi, Lu Yao and others, but they are not popular literature either, but somewhere in between. You can feel it when you go back and read "Stewardess"."

"Then you want to publish such a novel?" Song Tangtang was a little confused.

"Because this is a trend, there will be more and more novels like this in the future." Fang Minghua explained patiently: "If I am a simple reader, I don't have to like it, but if I am an editor, I have to consider the public adaptability. After all, The novel needs to be published and readers will buy it.”

"Ha Minghua, grandma is right, you are a qualified editor." Song Tangtang smiled sweetly.

Fang Minghua smiled and said nothing.

From the bottom of his heart, he couldn't say how much he liked or disliked Wang Shuo, including his novels.

In a word, they are not people in the same circle.

"However, I quite like Shen Xujia, and we can talk quite well." Song Tangtang changed the subject.

"That's a good girl, but it's a pity that she's with the wrong person." Fang Minghua sighed.

"Minghua, what do you mean by this?"

"No, I'm just talking, it's nothing." Fang Minghua quickly covered it up.

After returning home, Fang Minghua read the novel carefully twice. Don't tell me, although Wang Shuo didn't read much, he was indeed very talented in writing.

The novel is about the love story between an innocent female flight attendant and a demobilized navy soldier. It is fresh, lovely, and truly touching.

At this time, Wang Shuo is still very cute, and there is no such ruffianism in his words.

After reading it, Fang Minghua carefully revised some plots and asked Song Tangtang to notify Wang Shuo the next day that the manuscript was accepted.

In order to be recommended, the editor said that I must publish 20,000 words today and tomorrow, and the number of VIP words is enough. It’s a fight! I will release all the saved manuscripts and publish 10,000 words today.