Have you ever been a celebrity? Why are you writing about entertainment?

Chapter 116 Coach, I Want to Write a Novel
What kind of hatred and grudge is this?

Qi Luoan has been retired from the entertainment industry for eight years, are you still trying to kill him?

"You'll have to ask them."

However, Yu Wei could tell from Shen Yutong's words that the two of them must have a good relationship, otherwise they wouldn't have called each other so affectionately.

Thinking about it carefully, Yu Wei doesn't seem to have shouted that before...

What a load of nonsense! It's just repetitive and disgusting. I'd rather not say it at all.

The recording of the show officially began. This episode, the production team didn't come up with any fancy tricks. It was the familiar rules and routine: everyone took turns picking blind boxes.

Yu Wei immediately noticed the label on the green blind box: "Coach, I want to write novels." Was this one of his readers, or a fellow writer?
Would any online novelist really have nothing better to do than participate in a singing variety show?

Meng Han, having just recovered from a minor illness, was given priority in choosing an activity. The last time he was an athlete, he was exhausted, so this time he chose something related to calligraphy.

Practicing calligraphy must be much easier now, right?

When it was Yu Wei's turn, he casually chose the novel blind box. The other blind boxes had no direct connection to him, and it was impossible to tell whether they were from fans or not. This one was the one he was most interested in.

He actually hopes to be in the same industry, dealing with singers and idols in the entertainment circle every day. He even misses the days when a bunch of losers would get together and brag.

Life used to move slowly, and so did my writing...

Su Xinnan likes small animals, so she chose the "Animal Protection Association". Shen Yutong's "There are thousands of roads" is not really a good choice, since she didn't have any other options.

Perhaps Yu Wei's act of tearing the curtain in the previous episode caught the attention of the production team, because the curtain was lowered very quickly this time.

Yu Wei's blind box contestant is a round-faced boy wearing black-rimmed glasses. He looks a bit shy and doesn't seem to be used to being watched by so many people.

That kind of aura really could be someone in the same industry...

He had met with colleagues in person before, and their timid, hesitant, and evasive manner was exactly right.

Meng Han drew a sprightly old man, a calligrapher of some renown. He had a unique air about him and looked even more energetic than the young man with glasses.

After heavy metal and backstage rock, is Teacher Meng going to try old man rock...?

The ordinary people who received blind boxes from Su Xinnan and Shen Yutong were a pet shop owner and a traffic police officer, respectively. It's okay since Sister Nan likes small animals, but Shen Yutong is probably having a tough time this time.

With the summer sun so intense, the traffic police's job must be very difficult.

"Congratulations to all the guests and ordinary friends for successfully forming teams. Over the next few days, you will be paired up and enter an observation period. Finally, the celebrity observers will choose a song that suits the other person."

Looking forward to everyone's music!

The production team for the fifth episode was a bit too honest, following the script from beginning to end without any tricks or surprises, and even the transitions were exactly the same.

If it weren't for the fact that four episodes had already been filmed, Yu Wei would almost think the variety show had just begun. Given the production team's track record, they're probably secretly planning something big.

During a break in filming, Yu Wei took the initiative to greet the young man, Hu Xing, who claimed to be an online novel enthusiast.

Enthusiasts? There are actually enthusiasts for this stuff?

Readers are readers, authors are authors, and enthusiasts are of what category? I understand. They want to write but are too lazy to put pen to paper, or they've tried but haven't been able to get a contract.

No wonder he calls himself "Want to Write Novels"—he just wants to write, but hasn't even started yet...

"Yu Ju, can you teach me how to write novels?"

This kind of title is unique to the online literature circle. These are the terms that Yu Weidang heard most often during the years when he was a flop.

"Academic misconduct, since they all address each other as colleagues, must mean they're using pseudonyms."

"Excuse me, Mushroom God."

In fact, Yu Wei's words eased Hu Xing's tension somewhat. The distance between colleagues is definitely much closer than that between celebrities and ordinary people.

After chatting for a while, Hu Xing briefly introduced his situation. He had just graduated this year and originally wanted to find a job like his classmates, but he got caught up in his parents' advice to take the postgraduate entrance exam or the civil service exam.

He was a truly ordinary person; his family wasn't well-off, but they weren't starving either.

He was from a non-elite university, lacking the advantages of a degree, experience in the workforce, and the chance to rebelliously enjoy his youth. However, his obedience did not help him improve his grades.

"So, what does this have to do with writing a book?"

"I want to do something I truly enjoy, like writing stories. I've loved reading novels since I was little and imagining all sorts of scenarios..."

"Ok."

As a seasoned writer, Yu Wei understands this feeling all too well. This situation is not an isolated case; almost everyone who loves reading has the idea of ​​creating.

Some took action, some hesitated, and some, like Hu Xing, thought about it but didn't think much about it, yet were unwilling to give up.

When the mood strikes, I'll search everywhere for how to become an author; but once the enthusiasm cools, I'll silently delete what I've written...

When I feel really lost, I want to pick it up again, and then I repeat this cycle again and again, creating intermittently and continuously leaving the scene.

Hu Xing, like a student being scolded, instinctively shrank back, wanting to hear what Yu Wei had to say to him.

"Ugh."

Yu Wei felt that no matter what he said later, the kid would nod and hum, but afterwards he still wouldn't understand anything.

It feels like there are plenty of people like this everywhere in life: introverted, dull, easily bored, and very good at self-indulgent fantasies, commonly known as having a lot of stories.

It's like writing a 10,000-word worldview and then starting with a cliffhanger...

Have you ever tried writing it?

"I tried in my freshman year, but gave up after writing three chapters." Hu Xing said somewhat awkwardly, "I wrote it again in my junior year, and even after writing 30,000 words, I still couldn't get a contract."

Many newcomers fail to enter the industry and get stuck at this step.

There's nothing to preach about Yu Wei's failure, but if he can't get past this hurdle, he'll basically have no future in online novels.

It's not about whether or not to sign a contract, but whether or not you're willing to put in the effort. Blindly writing and trying things out won't last long, even if you go to a platform with no barriers to entry.

"Have you tried submitting internally? You can find the official editors' email addresses."

For newcomers who lack patience, Yu Wei recommends internal submission. Although the success rate of internal submission is low for newcomers, it requires less time and you don't have to wait until you write 30,000 words before failing.

Some editors are quick to respond; they rejected the template within half an hour, without any feedback or suggestions—it was a formulaic rejection...

"I tried, but they all rejected me using templates and told me to scan the rankings." "And then?"

Then Hu Xing stammered and couldn't speak. Yu Wei could roughly guess that he must have scanned the list, but probably still didn't understand it.

Many newcomers are like this: when they see long and classic book titles on the bestseller list, they think they are tacky and don't meet their standards. They try to imitate the best two- or four-character titles of the masters, but they still can't get their books signed.

There's nothing wrong with setting your goals low. It's impossible to succeed if you're always thinking about writing a masterpiece. Yu Wei was like that at first too, but he got used to it after a few tries.

Perhaps sensing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Hu Xing took the initiative to speak, saying, "I've been reading your book, Mushroom God, recently, and I've learned a lot from it."

"for example?"

"Well, talent will never be buried."

What a load of rubbish! If you really want to learn how to write online novels, then analyze the entry point and pacing. Talent and writing skills are not important for beginners.

Nowadays, readers find it tiring to skim through ten lines at a time, so who cares about writing style? As long as the story is clear, that's good enough.

"I've also learned the Three Golden Chapters..."

Perhaps noticing that Yu Wei's expression was a bit strange, Hu Xing quickly tried to cover for himself, saying, "Protagonist, cheat ability, conflict and stuff like that."

Still in the Golden Three Chapters?

The "Golden Three Chapters" is just a convenient and easy-to-understand term. Although online novels use templates, there aren't that many rules and regulations.

At least Yu Wei doesn't blindly believe in this. As long as the opening is interesting and the whole story is about the protagonist's inner thoughts, people will keep reading.

"I don't know anything else, but if you want to write about entertainment, I can teach you."

I, Yu, am unworthy and have failed miserably in the entertainment industry.

"Yes, yes."

In fact, Hu Xing hadn't read many entertainment novels, but with Yu Wei, an entertainment industry professional, teaching him, he would definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Fast forward to a point where twice the effort yields half the result...

As the recording of the show officially began, Yu Wei followed Hu Xing to the rented room where he was studying. The room was fairly tidy, except that the desk was a bit messy.

Various study materials for postgraduate entrance exams and civil service exams were piled up beside him, just like his uncertain and helpless future. Even he himself didn't know what kind of person he wanted to become.

After graduation, he still has to work hard while carrying the expectations of his family. His peers are all working, but he can only rely on his parents. This kind of life is actually very painful.

Especially when he wanted to give up, but his parents brushed it off with "You're so smart"...

If writing can help him find a new direction in life, that would be good.

The photographers wisely refrained from capturing the details of other people's lives, instead focusing their lenses on Hu Xing's computer.

They were also curious about what kind of story Hu Xing would be able to write, given Yu Wei's suggestion.

"Isn't the beginning important for the entertainment industry?"

Although Hu Xing didn't know much about writing books, he had read a few literary and entertainment books and knew the general plot design and exciting moments.

"A good gimmick and a good entry point are all you need."

The gimmick is attractive, and the entry point is to unfold the story. Take Yu Wei's book "Why Do Celebrities Always Care About Ratings?" for example. The gimmick is the rating, and the entry point is how the lowest-rated celebrity made a comeback.

Hu Xing nodded as if he understood, then stood there for a long time without making a move.

He understands the logic, but he just can't figure it out... Isn't fictional entertainment just plagiarism? How can he come up with a gimmick?

The entry point is always a singing competition at the bottom, isn't it?

"Any ideas?"

Yu Wei was waiting for him to start writing the beginning of his new book so that she could also start typing. How could she get stuck at the first step?
"Is it okay to go crazy and do abstract things?"

"This topic is over, kid."

The online literature market is still very competitive. By the time you see an idea become popular, it's too late to follow suit.

Yu Wei casually opened a website on his computer. The recent new book list didn't reveal anything. Scrolling back further, the last version of the popular book was "Crazy".

The character of the madman is actually quite good, but given Hu Xing's rigid personality, it's probably difficult to write something interesting. The problem with his creative writing is that he might not be able to come up with anything interesting.

Further back was the "the system arrived too early" craze, featuring post-apocalyptic romance and entertainment, nothing particularly novel...

"There is."

The essence of online novels is simply putting new wine in old bottles. Who says this formula is old? This formula is fantastic! Add a few things and it still works.

It can only be said that Yu Wei is not good at anything else, but he can come up with terrible ideas as soon as he opens his mouth.

"My Daughter is a Future Superstar" It was an ordinary afternoon when my daughter, who was learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, suddenly asked me, "Dad, what is the Superstar System?"

The system arrived too early, but it's a dad-centric storyline.

"Can it still be like this?"

Hu Xing had actually watched some children's entertainment shows, but the basic formula was that the children would find their mothers and use the children to flirt with girls, which he found a bit cheesy and didn't really watch them.

My daughter's system came on early, and it seems pretty good.

"It's good, but I've never taken care of a child before..."

"When writing novels, you can just think about it naturally."

Seeing that he was still hesitating, Yu Wei simply typed in a book title to reserve the name first, and would consider whether to write it or not later.

The moment he confirmed the book title, the familiar virtual panel reappeared.

[New book detected: "My Daughter is a Future Superstar," should I link it?]

?

Yu Wei's system appeared when he finished writing the book title, and it reappeared today after he filled in another book title.

It seems the system didn't specify that it could only bind to one book...

(End of this chapter)