Afterword

Afterword

It is four o’clock in the morning now.

I’ve just finished typing a little epilogue.

So strange, I was very sleepy just now, but afraid that I’ll forget what to write tomorrow so I soldiered on. However, I am feeling very awake now. After getting into bed, I got up again and decided to finish writing the afterword.

Probably because I am feeling very excited, that the conclusion of ‘Silent Separation’ is finally within reach.

I first started writing the novel in September 2003 on Jinjiang online serialized website. By the end of 2003, I managed to finish writing the first 70,000 words. Later, because of my graduation in the 4th year of university and also busy working on my first job, I put aside my writing. I think if afterwards there were no online readers who continuously urged and encouraged me, I’ll not have the motivation to finish writing. Although I was often threatened by readers who wanted to kill turtle to hurry up, the turtle still crawled. However, I only feel gratitude and guilt from beginning to end. Sometimes, when I chat with Bai Bai (I think it is Mo Bao Fei Bao – the author of Really Really Miss You’s nickname) and Xiao Xi (Ming Xiao Xi – author of Summer of Bubbles) about each other’s readers, I always said, the readers of ‘Silent Separation’ are the most gentle and patient.

Then Xiao Xi and Bai Bai, who wished to see my expression, said: As your readers, can they not have patience?!

They are right ～～>＿<～～

I am really slow (really don’t want to admit this = _ =). I’ve always been slack, unambitious and wanted to live a stable life. If you whip me once, then I’ll only crawl one step. This kind of person probably will not make it big. However, if I’ve actively worked hard, maybe what I’ve written will not be ‘Silent Separation.’

The passing of life is like watching the scenery. If you walk fast, you can see more of the scenes. If you walk slowly, you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty and details of those scenery more.

I think I must be the latter kind of person, enjoying the most ordinary and tiniest details in life. Then try my best to write about them.

This sounds like I am justifying my slowness ……

Er er, let’s get back on track and continue to discuss ‘Silent Separation.’

Some of my inspirations on ‘Silent Separation’ stemmed from going to the supermarket with my mother one day. There were a lot of people in the supermarket, very crowded. My mind suddenly produced the beginning scene in ‘Silent Separation’.

A couple who love each other but parted ways. Many years later, they unexpectedly meet amidst the crowd. They stare and faintly gaze at each other, then walk away separately.

At the beginning of ‘Silent Separation’, I wanted to write such a brief encounter. Then only gradually flesh out the story. Later, even the characters have their own temperament and no longer subjected to my control.

A friend once asked me, what did I want to express in the novel?

Actually when I was writing the novel, I merely wanted to write a story only and basically did not think too much. Since she was so earnest in her question, I also earnestly thought about what I really wanted to express.

I think the answer is as such:

The are many beautiful love poems in the world, but the happiest one must be this verse —— For life or death, holding your hand, and growing old together.

‘Silent Separation’ wants to express this kind of happiness.

Gu Man

14 December 2005