Writer 1979: Writing for the People

Since deciding a couple of days ago to write some children's literature to "generate income," Xu Lu has been thinking about which book to "create."

After much deliberation, I finally chose "Calabash Brothers".

In its original history, this was the first paper-cut animation series in China, produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 1986. It subsequently became a nationwide sensation, representing the pinnacle of Chinese paper-cut animation and a national childhood classic for generations of Chinese people.

The story tells of seven gourd brothers with different abilities who grow from a seven-colored gourd vine. In order to save their grandfather and eliminate the snake demon and scorpion demon, they fight against the monsters one after another with their wits and courage. In the end, the seven brothers work together to transform into a seven-colored mountain to suppress the monsters.

The narrative rhythm of "episode challenges + main storyline" is very much in line with the aesthetics of today's audience. Due to the strong audience response, Shanghai Animation Film Studio later released a sequel, "Calabash Brothers".

Choosing this work shouldn't result in any "culture shock"!

After thinking it through, Xu Lu immediately took out a piece of paper and began to "create".

……

"It is said that in the southwestern border of the Central Plains, there is a majestic mountain called Hulu Mountain, which pierces the clouds and is shrouded in mist all year round."

The snow on the mountain peaks never melts, while at the foot of the mountain, it remains evergreen year-round, with lush pines and cypresses, babbling streams, and flocks of birds and animals. For thousands of years, the people living at the foot of the mountain have lived peacefully and steadily, working at sunrise and resting at sunset…

……

The Golden Snake Demon looked at the eldest child struggling in the mud and laughed triumphantly, "Hahaha! Little brat, aren't you strong? I'll see how you crawl out of my soft mud!"

She waved her Ruyi scepter again and chanted a spell. Countless black vines emerged from the mud, tightly binding Da Wa's hands and feet. Several lesser demons seized the opportunity to rush up, chain Da Wa up, and drag him into the dungeon.

"Keep a close eye on him. Once I've gathered all seven Calabash Brothers, I'll throw them all into the alchemy furnace and refine them into the Seven Hearts Elixir of Immortality!" the Golden Snake Demon said with a sneer.

……

The Calabash Brothers series has 13 episodes in total. Even if each episode has two or three thousand words, the total would be more than 30,000 words. Even though Xu Lu is now a "full-time writer", it is not something that can be completed in a day or two.

He originally planned to finish writing the whole book before submitting it for publication, but he changed his mind at the last minute as the wheat harvest began in Zhangjia Village.

The wheat harvest refers to the concentrated and urgent harvesting of winter wheat, which usually takes place in mid-to-late June. Villagers need to complete the harvest before the rainy season arrives, a practice commonly known as "snatching food from the dragon's mouth."

This matter is extremely important; it concerns the survival and livelihood of everyone in the entire village throughout the year.

Every year at this time, even the commune's schools would give a special "wheat holiday" to allow teachers and students to return to the village to provide support.

Zhang Qiaoqiao and Li Xiuzhi have been busy with this for the past two days.

As a "full-time writer," Xu Lu could continue his creative work at home. However, looking at the 15,000-word manuscript he had already written, Xu Lu finally decided to submit the current part to the press and then join the rush to publish.

He wasn't a noble person; he also liked to be lazy and rest. Even now, after transmigrating, he's always been thinking about going back to the city to eat government-supplied food and live a more comfortable life.

But at such a critical moment, he is also willing to contribute his own strength.

"Fifteen thousand words should be enough as long as it gets approved."

The rest can wait and see the feedback before writing anything further.

As for who to vote for...

  

In the field of children's literature, currently only "Children's Literature" is a national-level publication nationwide.

The best choice would naturally be to vote for "Calabash Brothers".

However, Children's Literature is located far away in Beijing, and the round-trip mailing time, plus the review period, is simply too long, which does not meet Xu Lu's needs at the moment.

Therefore, Xu Lu, just like last time, focused his attention on the province.

After some thought, he finally set his sights on the Shaanxi Daily.

As a provincial party newspaper, they have a literary supplement called "Baota Mountain," where Chen Zhongshi's article "Trust" was published last time.

"Pagoda Hill" magazine sets aside two supplement pages each week specifically for publishing children's literature, so submitting your work to them is a good option.

Just do it!

Xu Lu immediately sent the manuscript to them and then joined the "Wheat Harvest Battle".

Zhang Dameng, the production team leader, was grateful for Xu Lu's initiative in joining the team.

He didn't have much to repay them with, so he could only try to arrange some easy work for them!

……

……

Closer to home!

In mid-June, Xu Lu submitted her article to "Maike" in "Yanhe" magazine. After several days of mailing, it finally arrived at the editorial office on June 21.

Soon, an editor came over to "categorize" it, and in the process, he suddenly saw a familiar name.

Xu Lu?!

He quickly took it out and examined it closely; the name and address matched...

This really is a manuscript sent by Comrade Xu Lu.

"Hey, here's Comrade Xu Lu's manuscript! Comrade Xu Lu has sent in a new manuscript."

Holding the envelope, he shouted in the editorial office, and the other editors, hearing the commotion, quickly gathered around.

The name Xu Lu was already familiar to the other editors.

The last time Lu Yao and Wang Yu had a big argument in the office because of his work.

Recently, he has become the target of public criticism, with many intellectuals publishing articles attacking him.

Unexpectedly, he submitted a new manuscript to the magazine so quickly.

What kind of story will I write this time?

Based on the timeline, when he sent this manuscript, those supporters of "scar literature" should not have launched their second all-out attack on him yet.

Therefore, the other party's new draft is very likely to be in the same style as last time!

If this type of article is published again this time, the other party will probably be criticized even more severely!

But if not, and the article is of mediocre quality, doesn't that indirectly prove that the two articles he published before were just for publicity?

Comrade Xu Lu is really stuck in a dilemma, unable to win on both fronts!

Just then, Lu Yao, who had been in charge of Xu Lu's manuscript last time, also came over and took the manuscript.

His feelings were very complicated at that moment.

He certainly hoped that Comrade Xu Lu could stick to his own creative style and continue writing the same type of works as before.

But he was also worried about what would happen if the other side were besieged again.

Moreover, although the two articles from last time were very different in style, they were of high quality, which is the main reason why they were able to attract widespread attention.

But a piece like this is clearly not something that can be written casually.

If he continues in this style, but the quality is not as good as before, the criticism will probably be even greater!

But what if we change the style?

Just as the other editors had thought, if the style changes but the quality fails to gain everyone's approval, it's like shooting yourself in the foot...

The only solution is to write other types of articles, and to write them so well that no one can find fault with them.

But... is this really possible?

Forget it, let's see what's inside first!

Lu shook his head, no longer thinking about it, and then opened the manuscript. Seeing this, the others quickly crowded around. Someone stared at the manuscript and softly read out the title of the article.

"The Wheat Harvester..."