"Essays" 2005 Selected Collection

Author: Wu Mengchuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Essays is a very modest publication. At various literary gatherings, the editors of Essays are always a modest group. None of them are orators, none aspire to be epoch-making figures; they simply carry a heart full of kindness, ready to listen attentively. Although countless people believe that Essays has a positive influence on young writers, including student essays, and although the student demographic represents a huge market from a commercial perspective, we have not created a youth edition or a student edition. Our authors are not lacking in young or student writers, but in the eyes of Essays, they are not a special group. The only thing that can be said is that they have developed the habit of thinking early and have a highly individualistic way of expression—this is truly a comforting thing. Since the New Period, literary creation has generally shown such a trend: the "literary front-line" identity of writers has gradually faded, and they have gradually been liberated from discourse hegemony and modern superstitions, finally emerging as spiritual individual laborers after the thick fog clears. This is a positive trend, though it is mixed with bewildering events. The improvement in the external environment of writing is a more significant historical fact than any specific creative achievement. In my opinion, a chaotic social order and daily desires cannot crush literature, nor can materialism. On the contrary, at the right time, they can provide a vast, tragic atmosphere for a few outstanding writers, allowing the literary seed in their hearts to be tested.