Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 693: How can you, a Chinese writer, write Western fantasy literature?

Fang Minghua shook his head after hearing this.

"No, I'm currently writing a Western fantasy magic novel, mainly for teenagers."

"Western fantasy magic? In the UK, there is a professor at Oxford University named John Ronald Reil Tolle. In the 1950s, he wrote a series of novels called "The Lord of the Rings", which tells the legendary stories of the legendary Middle-earth, and involves a lot of magic." Li Hongying said.

"Oh, I've seen that series." Fang Minghua replied.

"Chairman Fang, have you read it? It seems that there is no Chinese translation in China?" Zhao Yiheng interrupted.

Before Fang Minghua could speak, Li Hongying explained to her husband.

"Teacher Fang must have read the English version. His English is excellent!"

My English is pretty good, but I have never read the English version of "The Lord of the Rings". I just let it slip.

However, after seeing Li Hongying's explanation, Fang Minghua did not correct her. He couldn't say that he had read it only a few years before the Chinese version was published, right?

"Chairman Fang, I'm a little curious. Western fantasy novels like "The Lord of the Rings" are set against the backdrop of traditional Western culture and have a strong Western literary style. Why did you choose to write a novel like this?" Zhao Yiheng raised his question.

Fang Minghua heard the hidden meaning behind Zhao Yiheng's words.

How can you, a Chinese writer, write Western fantasy literature?

Who says Chinese people can’t write Western fantasy?
Look at the online literature of later generations, those classic Western fantasy novels are not any worse than those written by foreigners, right?

Of course, it still seems a bit abrupt now that it’s the 1990s.

Fang Minghua was preparing to answer the question, but Li Hongying was busy protecting her teacher.

"Yiheng, why can't Teacher Fang write a magic novel? He went to the United States a few years ago and wrote The Bridges of Madison County and Ghost. Oh, and that vampire story Twilight. They are all Western and very popular with European and American readers."

Seeing his wife defending Fang Minghua, Zhao Yiheng smiled and did not argue. Fang Minghua also explained that she wrote it for fun and mainly for the two children to read.

After sitting for a while, Li Hongying and her husband left politely. Fang Minghua sent them to the gate and then went back.

"Yiheng, why do you keep questioning Teacher Fang today? Not good!" Li Hongying held her husband's arm and complained in a low voice.

"I'm not questioning it, I'm stating the facts! Although magic novels are not considered serious literature, they are influenced by traditional European culture. For example, The Lord of the Rings is rooted in the soil of Western Christian culture and draws nourishment from Nordic mythology. It has both Christian colors and obvious mythological features, and is also influenced by Gothic novels. Is this something that a Chinese writer who has not lived in Europe for a long time can possess?"

"Let me tell you, those weird magic terms are enough for Fang Minghua to ponder. He might even write something like Taishang Laojun's urgent order."

After hearing what her husband said, Li Hongying burst out laughing.

Zombie ghost movies are very popular in Hong Kong now. You can often see the actor playing the wizard biting his finger to add a buff to the peach wood sword and drawing talismans on yellow paper. Just before the evil spirits and monsters approach, the wizard speaks the mantra: "Taishang Laojun, hurry up and obey the order!"
Wherever the wooden sword or talisman is pointing, a golden light will flash, and any demons or monsters that are hit will surely disappear into thin air.

If this thing appeared in a Western fantasy magic novel, it would be really out of place.

However, Li Hongying was still very determined: "I believe that Mr. Fang can definitely write a very authentic Western fantasy novel! He has the ability to do so!"

"Oh, you admire and have such confidence in your teacher?
"Of course, don't you still admire your teacher Mr. Bian Zhilin very much?" Li Hongying retorted.

"That's different. Bian Zhilin is a great literary figure in our country!" "So is Teacher Fang! Although he is relatively young, he will definitely become a great writer."

Fang Minghua naturally didn't listen to the conversation between Li Hongying and his wife, but he didn't take it to heart.

There is no point in saying more. The best proof is whether readers like what you write.

In the evening, Song Tangtang came back with the two children, and Fang Minghua told his wife that Li Hongying and her new husband had come to visit her during the day.

Song Tangtang was a little surprised when she heard this.

"Ah? Hongying is married? You said that man was a graduate student at the Academy of Social Sciences in the early 80s? So he must be in his early s this year? Why did she marry a man who is almost ten years older than her?"

"As long as two people love each other, does age matter? Look, Shi Tiesheng and Chen Ximi are ten years apart in age. Shi Tiesheng's health is like that, but they still love each other."

This is true.
Of course, this was just a small episode. After May Day, Fang Minghua started his typing work again.

There are a total of 7 original Harry Potter books. Fang Minghua decided to write the first and second books first, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", but only gave Li Li the first manuscript to translate and publish in the United States.

This is a super big IP, not only novels, but also film and television and peripherals, so you have to plan it well.

The original novel of the first part, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", has just over 20 words. Harry Potter, an orphan whose parents died at a young age, is invited to Hogwarts School of Magic to study magic.

He made friends with Ron and Reggie, forming a magic triangle. He also fought a desperate battle with the villain Voldemort for the Philosopher's Stone (a stone that can make people immortal).

This is the beginning of the Harry Potter series. The main characters are all shotas and lolis. Not only does Song Tangtang find it very interesting, but even the two little kids at home love it very much.

Of course, the most proud and proud one is Ruirui, because she is the heroine of the novel!
But she also had some points that she was not satisfied with. Why did her father set her image in the book as being born in a Muggle family and having no magical talent?

But I heard from my father that although Rui Fang had no talent for magic, she was very brave, hardworking and studious, and was a top student. Later, she learned a lot of magic.

The little girl was very satisfied with this.

Although her academic performance is far from that of a top student, and is even tending to be closer to that of a poor student.

By July, the first novel was completed, but Fang Minghua was not in a hurry to hand it over to Shengshi Books - he did not plan to publish a Chinese version immediately.

Let’s wait until this book becomes popular abroad. The copyright is in our hands anyway.

On July 10, Li Li returned from summer vacation in the United States and couldn't wait to go to Fang Minghua's house the next day.

Because a few days ago on the phone, Fang Minghua said that he had written a very interesting Western fantasy magic novel and wanted to publish it in the United States.

"Western fantasy magic? Is it similar to the Lord of the Rings series written by British writers?" Li Li asked on the phone.

"Not quite. This book is mainly written for children. You can read it yourself when you come back from summer vacation."

Of course Li Li was very interested in the novel written by Fang Minghua, so she came over.

But Fang Minghua was not at home; he was on a business trip.

(End of this chapter)