You may have misunderstood what I mean, "Zhang Heng said." I'm not asking you to teach me how to be the second person. I just want to use these skills to write my own story. "
Hemingway was a little surprised when he heard this. "So, you're saying that you plan to ask a lot of people besides me?"
"Why? Is there any taboo here?"
"No. In fact, most people in this manor hope that their writing style can be accepted by more of their peers, especially the younger generation of creators. Literature itself is passed down from generation to generation. Every generation of people like us is actually standing on the shoulders of our predecessors, tiptoeing to reach the top. But …"
Hemingway changed the topic. "But those who can come to this manor are authors who have formed their own style. In other words, everyone has found their own path. Generally speaking, unless there is a major change in the middle, everyone will walk the same path to the end. This is why I said I don't want to teach you before. After all, it's one thing to discuss and exchange ideas, and another to learn.
Hemingway paused for a moment. "Also, my personal style is too strong. I'm worried that it will affect your path, not to mention that you're planning to consult others. I can understand your feelings when you first came here. In fact, you're not the first person to have such a plan. After all, it's rare to find a place where the world's best writers can gather. Who knows, there might even be people who will have a deep influence on you, or even lead you on the path of literature. But if you're confused by this and give up on your own path, then the loss outweighs the gain."
Hemingway wasn't someone who liked to meddle in other people's business. In fact, if it weren't for Zhang Heng's excellent marksmanship, the fact that he was willing to accompany him to hunt in the middle of the night, and the fact that he liked Hemingway's temperament, Hemingway wouldn't have bothered to teach him so much.
However, he did not expect Zhang Heng to simply say, "I haven't found my own path yet."
"…"
Hemingway was left speechless for half a minute. Then, he said, "Haven't you already published a book and achieved good results? Although you do look very young, there has never been a lack of young geniuses in this line of work. No, it should be said that it's precisely because you're young enough that you were invited to this manor that it proves your talent. "
"Actually, it was a complete accident that I was able to come here," Zhang Heng told the truth. "If my college entrance examination essay doesn't count, I haven't written any stories yet."
"A blank piece of paper." A strange expression appeared on Hemingway's face. "If you're not lying, kid, then what happens next will be very interesting."
"How is it interesting?"
Hemingway did not answer Zhang Heng's question this time. "From today onwards, accompany me to hunt every Wednesday and Saturday. Teach me how to shoot as accurately as you do."
"Uh, I'm not sure if I have enough time. And as I said before, I can't get much pleasure from hunting," Zhang Heng said. "You must have enough time.
This is the tuition you need to pay for learning how to write from me. And it won't just be me. I will ask my friends to teach you as well. Most of the people I met at the banquet in Paris were idiots, but I can't deny that a few of them were the real deal. Some of them have also come to this manor. Other than that, I've been here for so long. Although I don't participate in group activities, I've made a few new friends. The rest of the people in the manor will have to rely on your own efforts. "
"Thank you." Initially, Zhang Heng just wanted to give it a try. He did not expect that not only would Hemingway agree to his request, but he would also gain something extra. Aside from the authors that Hemingway met in the manor, if Zhang Heng remembered correctly, Francis Scott Fitzgerald was one of the best friends he had in Paris.
The man's life was very sad. He was trapped by love all his life, and he died of illness in Los Angeles at the age of 44. No one could deny his unparalleled talent. Haruki Murakami especially admired him. In "Norwegian Wood", he mentioned that "The Great Gatsby" was the most worthwhile book to read.
Unlike his good friend, Hemingway, who used concise and straightforward words, Fitzgerald used beautiful words. Every sentence was as elegant as a poem and had a profound charm. If you wanted to learn rhetoric, there was no better teacher than Fitzgerald.
…
When Zhang Heng returned to the mansion, it was already late at night. The dutiful hobbit housekeeper was still waiting for him at the door with an oil lamp in her hand.
When she saw him, she handed him a key with the room number printed on it and brought him all the way to the room.
Zhang Heng inserted the key into the keyhole, opened the door, and found that it was a suite. There was a living room, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a study facing the garden where he could write and read.
What surprised Zhang Heng even more was that the interior decoration and design were in the style of the 21st century. Other than the computer that he asked Geim for, there was also a game console and a projector. There was also electricity in the wall socket.
As if she knew what he was thinking, the hobbit housekeeper said, "Every guest room here is different. The manor has always been committed to creating a perfect creative environment for every author. If you have any other needs, you can let me know at any time. As long as you don't leave the manor, I will satisfy all your needs."
After that, she bowed again and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Zhang Heng did not think too much about it. He walked into the bathroom and washed off the mud and sweat on his body. After that, he opened the closet, picked out a set of pajamas, turned off the light, and went to bed.
Early the next morning, Zhang Heng went to the best-selling fantasy author's room and had breakfast with her. As promised, the best-selling fantasy author introduced Zhang Heng to a big shot that she had mentioned before.
Shakespeare, as the most prestigious and well-known author in human history, had always been entangled with too many mysteries.
After all, the 16th century was too far away from the present. People of later generations could only try to restore the legendary life of this writer from bits and pieces of history. However, even the most accepted version of Shakespeare was still questioned by many people.
But in this quest, Shakespeare was sitting in front of Zhang Heng, eating fruit while watching two girls play in the water not far away.
(End of Chapter)
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