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SCMP Reporter

Weini is one of many teenage writers who have made a big impression on the mainland's literary scene.

Weini was only 15 years old when she published her first novel,  Revival for You.

Weini, whose real name is Tu Hanbi,  is now a  senior secondary student in Beijing.

The heroine of her novel is 17-year-old Tang Zheng, who dies  in a traffic accident, but is revived by Karl, a handsome angel.

Tang returns to Earth as another girl named Sang Sang. She unexpectedly meets Karl again  and they experience miraculous, romantic  feelings.

Jin Jin, 16, is another popular Chinese author who  penned  Recreating the Gate of Hell.

Another book, The Three Doors, which Han Han wrote when he was only 17,  became the year's best-seller.

A 16-year-old student, Xiao Rui, has also joined the new breed of writers by publishing his first novel about campus life.

Most books by young writers revolve around    campus life and romance. The novels vividly portray students'  yearning for love, although romance is often frowned upon by  teachers and parents  on the mainland.

Xiang Suqin, a secondary school teacher in Shenyang  , said: 'Puppy love will harm students' academic performance. Students' main task is to study. Can puppy love help with their studies? No, definitely no.

'I do not allow my students to fall in love when they are still in secondary school. They are not mature enough. And I don't want them to read novels written by teenagers. The novels are sometimes quite ridiculous.'

Despite adults' disapproval,  students said the books were interesting.

Weini's classmate, Hua Xuan, said: 'Although to many people it [Revival for You] seemed very naive, it is  exactly the kind of thing most secondary school students dream about.'

Tian Tian, a secondary student in Wuhan , agrees. 'I feel excited when I read romantic novels written by my peers. Almost every girl in my class has such novels. We often get together after class to read the novels,' Tian Tian said.

Publishing companies are making good money from novels written by teenagers. 'The companies realise that there will always be a generation gap between teenagers and adults. The work of teenagers can easily touch children's hearts,' Zhao Changtian, editor-in-chief of Sprout magazine, said.

While some analysts criticise young writers for being 'commercial tools' of publishers and for their 'shallow' plots,  others have been more encouraging.

In his letter to Weini, renowned writer Su Shuyang said: 'Unquestionably, your novel showed your talent and your advantage. You are like a flower blossom. Your future is bright ... The happiness and tenderness in your novel gave me much pleasure.'

But he also sounded a note of caution:  'Don't believe those praises, such as describing you as a genius. No, you are not ... Literature is a long road. You need talent and endurance.'

The new generation of teenage writers are certainly not giving up.

According to Hua Xuan, Weini is planning to write a new novel called Human Wolf's Prayer.



New breed of teen authors