Reborn Bao Guowei, I really didn’t want to be a great writer!

Chapter 387: Writing science fiction?

Science fiction was born in the 19th century and can be traced back to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which was written in 1818.

To date, science fiction has been developing for nearly a hundred years, but it has always been in a niche position.

Especially in today's literary world, serious literature and realistic literary theory are booming, and related works are being published one after another.

Science fiction literature seems even more inferior.

But this situation finally changed fundamentally after the birth of the magazine "Amazing Stories".

It defined and shaped the specific image of science fiction literature and published numerous groundbreaking science fiction works.

It also successfully brought science fiction into the public eye, which can be said to be an important node in the history of the development of science fiction literature.

After taking the magazine from Wu Mi, Bao Guowei's sleepiness was immediately dispelled.

It was not until this time that he remembered that he had almost forgotten the golden age of science fiction literature.

The period from the 1930s to the 1960s was a period of vigorous development of science fiction literature, especially in the European and American literary circles, which can be called the golden age of science fiction literature.

In this era, after a long time, Bao Guowei finally set a goal.

That is to aspire to become a world-class literary giant, thereby changing the world pattern and indirectly helping the destiny of one's own country and nation.

In this case, science fiction literature is an important position that Bao Guowei cannot give up.

Only he knows how much influence science fiction literature will have in future generations!
Just like the British writer Herbert George Wells, his works "Star Wars" and "The Time Machine" written in the late 19th century, and the related derivative film and television adaptations, have been popular until nearly two hundred years later!

To put it simply, the science fiction literature of this period was like the stock of Apple, which had just been established in 1976. No one was optimistic about them, but no one could have imagined that decades later Apple would become the company with the largest market value in the world.

Thinking of this, countless blueprints for science fiction novels emerged in Bao Guowei's mind.

Bao Guowei plans to put aside the "The Return of the Condor Heroes" he has been writing for a while and perhaps create a few short science fiction works first.

After all, the former looks like a sequel, but it is actually Jin Yong's first work.

Compared to the story in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" where Guo Jing serves the country and the people, "The Return of the Condor Heroes" has more personal love and hatred.

Bao Guowei had to think about whether such a theme could be supported during the Republic of China period. After all, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" had been criticized by many people as entertaining literary garbage.

The relevant public opinion was only somewhat alleviated after Bao Guowei became a true national "literary giant".

Moreover, in The Return of the Condor Heroes, there is also a very poisonous plot in which Xiaolongnu is defiled.

Some of them even came from Mr. Jin’s personal opinions, so much so that they had to be changed.

Therefore, when Bao Guowei created his work, he had to make extensive revisions.

This became a huge obstacle for Bao Guowei when he was creating "The Legend of the Condor Heroes".

Frankly speaking, in order to delete these "personal opinions" and "toxic points", the story is not so perfect in many places.

After all, it is the first work that makes money, so we naturally cannot be too harsh on it.

But things are different now. Bao Guowei is no longer the ordinary boy from Hangzhou, so he naturally has to be extremely cautious in the creation of "The Return of the Condor Heroes".

So, instead of wasting time on making revisions, it is better to create a few short science fiction stories first, so that European and American readers of this era can see what real science fiction is!

While Bao Guowei was thinking this, Wu Mi had already begun to chatter about how he got the magazine.

"Hehe!" Mr. Wu Mi was a man of temperament. His every word and action was reflected on his face. He said with a beaming smile.

"Bingwen, you don't know that the American regarded this magazine as a treasure and refused to sell it to me no matter what. So guess how I got it?"

Sitting down in the house, Wu Mi asked back with a smile.

Bao Guowei's face suddenly looked very strange. In his mind, a picture appeared of Mr. Wu Mi negotiating improperly with an American. He then beat him up and snatched the magazine away.

If this was true, given the international status of the Chinese at the time, they should have carefully considered whether they would be thrown off the boat.

Seeing Bao Guowei's suspicious expression, Wu Mi suddenly became a little displeased. He knocked on the table and said.

"Men of letters! We are men of letters! Am I, Wu Mi, such a vulgar person? How could I resort to violence?"

Bao Guowei took a look at Wu Mi's thin arms and not very tall stature, and immediately gave up the idea.

He then said with a smile: "How did you get this magazine from the Americans?"

"Hehe! I told him that I'm a writer from China and I know a little bit about science fiction. As long as he can lend me this magazine for a few days, I can help him write a few articles during the trip and show them to him."

Wu Mi raised his eyebrows, seeming very satisfied with his negotiation methods.

"He has read this magazine over and over again. It has long lost its originality. Why don't we create something of our own and let the Americans see the power of oriental writers!"

"Creation?" Bao Guowei looked strange. He didn't expect that Wu Mi's private personality was so fresh and unworldly.

However, he did not reject this. With a gentleman like him by his side, the journey did not seem boring.

However, Bao Guowei immediately had another question and asked with a smile: "It seems that you know a lot about science fiction, sir?"

According to Bao Guowei's understanding, science fiction novels are not well developed in China at this time, and even the number of readers who can access related works is very small.

Most of the works produced were crudely made, with few famous artists involved.

The only things involved are several science fiction novels by Jules Verne translated by Schonger in 1903.

Such as "From the Earth to the Moon" and "Journey Under the Earth".

In fact, Xun Ge'er quite likes science fiction literature and comments that science fiction can inspire people's interest and dreams in science.

It was not until several years later, when Mr. Lao She created "Cat City", that a truly famous domestic writer created a local science fiction work.

Going beyond the stereotype of Mr. Lao She, this work describes the protagonist's adventure of flying off the ground and encountering the cat kingdom on Mars.

Hearing Bao Guowei's question, Wu Mi laughed and said.

"Haha! Bingwen, you really underestimate me. I have a very deep understanding of science fiction. I can be considered a senior science fiction researcher in China!"

Bao Guowei was immediately filled with questions.

This gentleman actually knows science fiction?

What exactly is it that he doesn't understand about literature?
As if he had touched upon his area of ​​expertise again, Wu Mi became more and more excited. The wrinkles on his face were squeezed together, and his forehead seemed to be shining under the light coming in from the window.

“When I was in the United States, I had already come across many science fiction novels. This magazine had not yet been established at that time, but more than a decade ago, there were already many excellent science fiction works.

For example, I have read Jules Verne's works in China, including "Journey to the Moon" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" translated by Zhou Shuren. This man's works always give people a mysterious feeling. "

When it comes to Jules Verne, Bao Guowei is naturally very familiar with him. He even remembers that he read several of this gentleman's must-read works when he was a student.

As a figure from the late 19th century, Verne played a pivotal role in science fiction!

Bao Guowei nodded and said, "Mr. Jules Verne's works are must-reads among science fiction novels. In the West, he is even called the father of science fiction. He did not create science fiction, but he achieved the ultimate in scientific language and fantasy."

Looking at the surprised Wu Mi, Bao Guowei smiled.

"I even believe that most of the fantasies in Mr. Verne's novels can be confirmed in the near future."

"Confirmation?" Wu Mi couldn't help but get excited when he heard Bao Guowei's words. "You mean, in the near future, humans will be able to explore the deep sea, go to the moon, travel in outer space, and quickly travel around the world?"

Hearing the other party's rapid-fire questions, Bao Guowei spread out his hands and spoke as a matter of course.

"Since it's a fantasy about future technology, it's only natural that it will come true, right?"

"That's true."

Wu Mi frowned and thought for a while, and felt that what Bao Guowei said made a lot of sense. In fact, compared with many science fiction novels in later generations, Verne's process of writing science fiction novels was more serious and earnest.

Many of his fantasies were rigorously constructed within a reasonable range based on the laws and trends of scientific development.

Therefore, even in the late 19th century, Verne was able to predict scientific and technological achievements nearly two hundred years later.

Next, Bao Guowei and Wu Mi started a heated discussion on the topic of science fiction novels.

It can be said that Wu Mi is a true science fiction enthusiast in this era.

The two talked about Jules Verne and then Herbert George Wells, the latter of which was closer to later science fiction works than Verne.

Bao Guowei analyzed: "In fact, compared with Verne, Mr. Wells is more realistic. He has a more pessimistic attitude towards many future technologies. He is more concerned about the good or bad consequences that scientific progress brings to people."

"That's right!" Wu Mi widened his eyes, shocked that Bao Guowei could understand so much.

He quickly added, "This is reflected in almost all of Wells's works, such as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man. Bingwen, your evaluation is very pertinent!"

After saying this, Wu Mi couldn't help but lower his head and shook his head helplessly.

"I can't compare! I really can't compare! The Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves ahead, and I, Wu Mi, can never compare to you, kid!"

He had previously wanted to compete with Bao Guowei, both openly and covertly, but now that his favorite science fiction novels were mentioned, he still lost in the end.

Bao Guowei smiled and said, "When we go to Europe, we can also visit this gentleman at the University of London."

"Oops! I almost forgot! What a great idea!"

Wu Mi clapped his hands and immediately agreed to Bao Guowei's proposal.

However, he did not forget the previous agreement regarding the science fiction magazine, and said to Bao Guowei with a smile.

"Bingwen, don't forget to write a few science fiction novels during your trip."

Bao Guowei looked at the other party strangely and said, "Isn't it the agreement made by the master? Why do you want me to write it?"

"I'm not very good at writing novels, am I?" Wu Mi said, scratching his head a little embarrassedly. "Every profession has its own specialty, Bingwen, you are naturally the most suitable!"

What a good man who specializes in his field~
Bao Guowei finally figured out why this gentleman came to him. It turned out that he had made an appointment with someone else and wanted him to write a novel for him?

However, he already had such an idea, so he just went with it.

After thinking for a while, Bao Guowei said, "I do have some ideas."

"Really?" Wu Mi's eyes showed anticipation.

"but."

"But what?"

Bao Guowei immediately showed a matter-of-fact expression and said, "But since I'm the one writing it, I should read your magazine first, and then I can give it to you after I've finished reading it."

Xiao Bao never lets himself suffer any loss.

That night.

Inside the cabin room.

"You want to write a science fiction novel?" Zhang Nianyue widened her beautiful eyes.

Bao Guowei knew that Zhang Nianyue would be interested, so he nodded with a smile and briefly told her what happened during the day.

"I agree!"

Zhang Nianyue said excitedly.

Of course, she had read some science fiction literature before, such as Jules Verne's works, which she couldn't put down.

It's already boring to be on the cruise ship during this period, and it would be a great way to pass the time if I could see some new works.

The most important thing is that Zhang Nianyue firmly believes that her fiancé can write excellent science fiction works.

She was even a loyal reader of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, and kept urging Bao Guowei to update his novels all day long.

After thinking for a while, Zhang Nianyue said, "If you are writing science fiction, then the creation of The Return of the Condor Heroes can be postponed."

As the reader with the most power, Zhang Nianyue immediately gave an "order" to Bao Guowei.

Bao Guowei felt like crying but had no tears. He started writing "The Return of the Condor Heroes" on his own and naturally could not stand his fiancée's urging for more.

"What are your ideas? Tell me about them." Zhang Nianyue knelt on the bed, her eyes beginning to light up.

She knew that Bao Guowei always had many new ideas in his head.

Bao Guowei took a look at the other person's clothes that showed off his figure and couldn't help but speak.

"Come here, I'll tell you in detail."

For a long time, in order to prevent Bao Guowei from losing control, the two of them slept in separate beds.

This is true even on a cruise ship.

Hearing this, Zhang Nianyue's eyes immediately revealed vigilance.

"No way! You promised me not to bully me before we get engaged!"

At this moment, Bao Guowei only regretted why he pretended to be a gentleman and made such a promise to Zhang Nianyue.

Now you are harming yourself.

But he did not give up. Like a big bad wolf trying to lure a little white rabbit, he said with a harmless smile on his face.

"Isn't this a bit far? Come here and lie down next to me, so I can tell you some of my ideas."

Zhang Nianyue thought about it and felt that it made sense.

Because of her anticipation for the science fiction novel, she immediately crawled to Bao Guowei's bedside.

But when he saw Bao Guowei's playful expression, he still spoke with caution.

"We divide the river and rule separately. You are not allowed to come over."

She drew a mark in the middle of the bed and spoke confidently.

Bao Guowei had no choice but to smile bitterly. He could only stay quietly by the side, not daring to go beyond the line.

He picked up some plots from later science fiction novels, sometimes it was Star Wars, sometimes it was a time machine, and sometimes he mentioned the Three-Body Civilization.

As expected, Zhang Nianyue was so fascinated by the song that she fell asleep sweetly after a while.

Bao Guowei is not a gentleman who would consciously go to sleep on the bed opposite him. He would never do that.

He then covered Zhang Nianyue with a blanket.

However, Zhang Nianyue's sleeping posture was not very good, and soon she "invaded" Bao Guowei's territory.

Bao Guowei swore that it was not his initiative, but the "prey" came to him on its own initiative.

So he put down Zhang Nianyue's long white legs that were across him, and took her into his arms.

He tucked the quilt for Zhang Nianyue, but he couldn't control where his hands would accidentally touch or press.

(End of this chapter)