[70,000 words written so far, but the author is working through writer's block and currently revising the outline]
Modern writer Jian Mian arrives in Victorian-era London.
He binds to a System and is given a mission to save great writers. But this lousy System does nothing except go ding-dong in his head. It doesn't even give him a golden finger!
Better to rely on yourself than on anyone else.
Jian Mian leaves his birth family behind and sets off on a journey through Britain.
Jian Mian lets loose completely, writing whatever he wants and ignoring every literary convention!
His novels become more popular with each release, from short stories to full-length works, sparking everything from heated arguments to legions of fans.
In this golden age, overflowing with famous names, Jian Mian becomes both a witness to history and a force that throws it into chaos:
- Cheers on the Aesthetic Movement.
- Keeps urging Arthur Doyle to write Sherlock Holmes.
- Gets caught up in the Jack the Ripper murders.
- Embarks on a whirlwind romance.
Wait, did something strange slip in there?
Oscar Wilde returns from his lecture tour and discovers a promising young writer.
The books look good, so he'll give them a read. The author's handsome, so he'll have a chat.
Wilde: Move closer.
Jian Mian: Run away.
Closer, run, closer, run, closer, run.
Wilde thinks he's been rejected and is heartbroken. But hearts are made to be broken.
He'll write anonymous letters to the writer he likes, pretending to be a young reader.
As they keep talking, Wilde realizes he's hopelessly falling in love.
His correspondent praises his latest work in a letter. Ah, but what do I do when I'm both happy and jealous? Aaah!
Guided by the principle that fans shouldn't interfere with their idols' lives, Jian Mian has always followed Wilde from afar without ever approaching him.
He focuses on his writing career, but his fortunes keep rising and falling.
At his lowest point, a mysterious young reader sends him a check and daily necessities.
When he's stuck and late with a manuscript, they don't scold him. Instead, they send comfort and encouragement.
But they don't like talking about themselves.
Jian Mian falls for this shy, bashful "lady." He suggests meeting several times, but each time the other person politely declines.
They say they need more time and aren't ready yet.
Until one day, a blond man appears downstairs with a bouquet of flowers...
Bad news: Not a woman.
Worse news: It's Oscar Wilde.
Jian Mian's last-minute plan, A Guide to Dating a Love-Struck Writer:
- Respect and support their career.
- Don't squander their money.
- Stick together and praise each other often.
- And absolutely no physical intimacy. They have to be the most chaste Platonic partners!
- In the early chapters, Jian Mian focuses on his career and admires Wilde purely as a writer.
- Includes a story within a story.
- A fictionalized world based on reality; Wilde's character is idealized.
(The blurb will be revised.)
Theme: Loving yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.
