Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 267: Show of Skill
Liu Xinwu is a writer and an editor at the same time. He has the dual perspectives of a writer and an editor, so he naturally has a broad perspective when looking at some literary works.

His evaluation of Lin Chaoyang's new novel was recognized by Zhang Shouren, who looked thoughtful and sorted out his thoughts before speaking.

“You said that writing this novel was a show of skill, and I agree.

Looking at Chaoyang's works and creative habits over the past few years, his growth trajectory is very clear.

His earliest works, such as "The Shepherd" and "The Little Shoes", are of obvious realism, focusing on reflecting real life and pursuing objective and true artistic techniques.

During this stage, his creations were mainly based on true feelings, and his techniques were not outstanding.

When he wrote "The Garland under the Mountain" and "Parental Love", he began to turn to romanticism on the basis of realism, and it was with a clear revolutionary romantic color.

During this period, he was no longer satisfied with realistic depictions, and began to use techniques such as imagination and exaggeration to enhance the appeal of his works, create typical and heroic characters, highlight collectivism and revolutionary beliefs, and emphasize the social role of his works.

This style is also reflected in the work "The Chess Master", but it is much more restrained compared to "High Mountains" and "Parents' Love".

By the time he wrote Lai Zi's Summer, it was clear that he was no longer satisfied with just using the story to impress readers. The characteristics and techniques of stream-of-consciousness literature might just be able to satisfy his ambition.

By the time he wrote The Death of Van Gogh, he had already matured in the creative techniques of stream-of-consciousness literature, integrating story and literature, text and thought as much as possible into one, which also looked extremely perfect.

As for his new novel, my biggest feeling after reading it is his determination and enterprising spirit in creation.

As you said, in this novel he focuses more on the changes in narrative style and the unexpectedness of the structure.

In the second half, the mystery of Yan Shouzhong's identity is gradually revealed. If it is published, all readers will be surprised.

At the same time, at the end, he wrote that Yan Shouzhong briefly realized his true situation, but then fell into confusion, leaving an open ending for the readers.

If it weren't for this ending, I would think it was a show of skill that pursued the ultimate technique, but his handling of it was so wonderful.

Although you can see some techniques here, you can feel more of the charm of words, which give this story endless vitality. I believe it will be unforgettable for all readers. This is the literary quality of a good work. "

Zhang Shouren's tone was calm, but his praise for Lin Chaoyang and his novel was undisguised.

At the end, he did not forget to summarize, "It is a good work. Although it is very different from some of the works we are used to seeing that focus on depicting reality, it can also be said to be a masterpiece dominated by skills, but it is also touching!"

In later generations, some people called Zhang Shouren, Rong Shihui, Zhang Zhonge and Cui Daoyi the four famous editors of the capital, which shows his professional ability.

Liu Xinwu has worked with Zhang Shouren for many years and knows his temperament well. He never shows any disapproval towards works, even if they are "unremarkable" drafts sent by his superiors. He still maintains the same attitude.

He also has extremely strict requirements for good works. In his words: Precisely because they are good, we must be more stringent in order to let readers see better works.

It is rare in Zhang Shouren's editing career to praise a work as generously as he does today, which is enough to show how much he recognizes this novel.

After chatting for a long time, analyzing the new novel from beginning to end and praising it a lot, the two reached a consensus.

Taking advantage of the time he had after get off work, Liu Xinwu wrote a review opinion and then handed the manuscript together with the review opinion to the editor-in-chief Su Yu.

"What do you think of the manuscript?" Su Yu did not read the review comments or flip through the manuscript first, but asked Liu Xinwu.

"October" got this new work from Lin Chaoyang and paid a high fee for it. Naturally, she had expectations in her heart. She didn't have time to read it herself, so she wanted to ask Liu Xinwu's opinion first.

"Great work, Chaoyang's level has improved again. Just watch it, I guarantee it will brighten your eyes."

Usually, editors are conservative in their tone and choice of words when talking about a work. After all, there are a thousand Hamlets for a thousand readers, and even editors have different preferences.

Liu Xinwu's words were almost undisguised praise, which naturally aroused Su Yu's keen interest and strong expectations for the novel. After Liu Xinwu left, he could not wait to open the manuscript.

In a blink of an eye, it was Saturday. After work, Lin Chaoyang went towards Langrun Lake. When he arrived at the door of the apartment, he saw a few naughty boys picking up branches from the ground and practicing with guns and sticks, including Tao Xiwen.

"Take my Shaolin boxing move!"

"Look at my nunchaku!"

"My red tassel spear is more powerful than yours!"

……

A group of little kids were fooling around in front of the family building and no one cared. Such scenes are no longer seen in later generations. Children in every family are treated as treasures and everyone is afraid that they might get hurt.

A few days ago, the movie "Shaolin Temple" was released. It swept the cinemas in Yanjing in just a few days. Its popularity was even greater than that of "The Shepherd" which was released a month ago.

Compared with "The Shepherd", "Shaolin Temple" is a light comedy with elements of passion and martial arts. It has a significantly larger audience and has caused a stronger sensation among readers.

"Be careful not to poke your eyes."

When Lin Chaoyang passed by Tao Xiwen, he touched his head and gave him instructions.

"Got it, uncle!"

After going upstairs, Lin Chaoyang saw Zhu Guangqian playing chess with Tao's father and greeted him. Tao Yucheng asked him, "Chaoyang, I heard that Director Xie spent 10,000 yuan to buy the adaptation rights of your "The Wreath under the Mountain"? "

"Who did you listen to?"

"It's all spread. Did you really spend ten thousand yuan?" Tao Yucheng asked.

“Not so much.”

Tao Yucheng whispered, "I told you they were just spreading rumors! They can buy a script wholesale for 10,000 yuan. They just say it without thinking."

Listening to his brother-in-law's words, Lin Chaoyang swallowed back the words "just nine thousand yuan" that were about to come out of his mouth. It's enough to have a gambling offender at home.

Tao Yucheng added: "This is your second collaboration with Director Xie. You will be considered a famous screenwriter in the film industry in the future."

"I have only written two scripts. How can I be considered a famous screenwriter?" Lin Chaoyang said modestly.

Tao Yumo, who had stolen two pieces of meat from the kitchen, still had greasy smell on his lips, and said, "Brother, how can you praise me like that? My brother-in-law is a nationally renowned writer!"

In later generations of the film and television industry, the status of screenwriters was notoriously low.

Nowadays, the status of screenwriters is not low and they are very respected. Many veteran screenwriters are very famous if the scripts they wrote are mentioned.

However, the reputation of these screenwriters is not as loud as that of later generations. At least in later generations, there is the Internet, which allows some screenwriters to gain some attention.

Nowadays, few people pay attention to who the screenwriter is when watching a movie.

In the industry, the words "script, script" and "the foundation of a play" are always on people's lips.

In fact, if the film is bad, people will blame the script, and if it is good, all the credit will go to the director and actors.

Old editors who have been in the industry for a long time can't help but complain, so much so that whenever young people come to the literary department of a film studio, these people will say "Men are afraid of choosing the wrong career, and women are afraid of marrying the wrong man."

Compared with the status and reputation of screenwriters at the lower level of the film industry, today's writers have a much louder and more glamorous reputation. Wherever they go, they are greeted with flowers and applause, and have a high status.

Although Tao Yumo's words were a joke, they did make some sense.

"What does a kid know? Good screenwriters are all good writers, but good writers are not necessarily good screenwriters."

"You really know how to flatter yourself." Tao Yumo mocked his elder brother.

Tao Yucheng teaches opera and can be considered a half-screenwriter, but he has never achieved anything outstanding.

The brother and sister exchanged a few words, and Tao Yumo started talking about the recently popular "Shaolin Temple".

The film was released in China on February 2st, and it created a huge trend in just a few days, completely stealing the limelight from "The Horse Shepherd".

Tao Yumo is a young person, so she naturally likes this movie very much. However, "The Shepherd" was written by her brother-in-law, so when she talked about "Shaolin Temple", she felt a little unhappy that she was helping her relatives but not her husband.

"The Horseman" was released on New Year's Day, one month after "Shaolin Temple". During this period, no other movies that posed a threat to "The Horseman" were released, and it also coincided with the Spring Festival.

If any movie could enjoy such treatment in future generations, I would probably wake up laughing in my dreams.

What's more, no matter how high the box office of "The Shepherd" is, Lin Chaoyang will not get a penny more, so when Tao Yumo was talking, he had a nonchalant look, as if it had nothing to do with him.

After a while, Tao Yushu came back from get off work and dragged Tao Xiwen, who was making a scene downstairs, back upstairs.

At this moment, Tao's mother put the food on the table and asked Tao Yushu, "Why did you come back so late?"

"Mom, I just got off work and headed home."

"It's almost half past six. Have you been riding a motorcycle for more than an hour?" asked Tao's mother.

Tao Yushu hesitated and said, "I talked to my colleagues about the manuscript for a few minutes."

Tao's mother looked unhappy. "It's okay to study hard at school, but eight hours at work is not enough for you to chat. Why do you have to chat after get off work?"

"Mom, your idea..." Tao Yushu was halfway through his words when he was glared back by his mother.

According to current values, my mother-in-law's thinking is not completely reformed. If it were in later times, she would be considered a qualified worker.

"Mom is right. Yushu is indeed working too hard. He even brings manuscripts home after get off work."

Taking advantage of the presence of his mother-in-law to support him, Lin Chaoyang started to complain.

When Mother Tao heard his words, her face became even more dissatisfied, and she scolded Tao Yushu a few more times.

Being angry with her mother-in-law, Tao Yushu took it back under the dining table. Lin Chaoyang's face twitched in pain, but he didn't dare to show his teeth.

When he got home, he saw that his feet were all red from being stepped on.

"Look, look!"

"Who told you to be so talkative?"

"That's called reporting the situation truthfully to the leader."

Tao Yushu glanced at him and said in a gloomy tone: "I really didn't realize that your relationship with my mother is getting better and better now."

"Well, aren't we doing this all for your own good?"

"For my own good? You just want me to have a baby? I didn't say I don't want to have one."

When Tao Yushu spoke, his eyes glanced at a certain part of Lin Chaoyang, as if to say: I have been very cooperative, you have to look for the reason in yourself.

This look immediately made Lin Chaoyang feel extremely humiliated, and he pulled her into the bedroom viciously.

"I must teach you a lesson tonight!"

(End of this chapter)