Wang Hailing

Her only marriage lasted about three months. But Wang Hailing's novels on the connubial state have put her on the best seller list. She's rolled out realistic portrayals of modern Chinese marriage with a trilogy of books: "Holding Hands", "Divorce: Chinese Style" and "New Age of Marriage". All three are top sellers. All three have generated lively debate. On today's List, we enter the interior world of Wang Hailing.

New Age of Marriage by Wang Hailing

It was China's first TV drama, about extra-marital love. 12 years ago, the nation's largest media organization ---China Central Television-- took the risk and broadcast the series in prime time. The 18-episode "Holding Hands" caused a stir nationwide. The show's influence continues even today.

The writer behind the big success is Wang Hailing, a single mother, who was married once -- for three months.

Wang Hailing said, "If I hadn't married, I would not have had the experience that tore me apart. But, it's not necessary to be married to write novels about marriage. For me, the experience I had was enough for me. But when I stand outside it, I can offer another perspective, more objective and rounded. "

Her own experiences -- her keen powers of observation and reasoning, have earned Wang Hailing, the reputation as China's leading writer on the subject of marriage.

She unfolds a realistic portrayal of modern Chinese relationships with her trilogy about marriage: "Holding Hands", "Divorce: Chinese Style" and "New Age of Marriage". All three are top sellers. All three have touched off lively debate.

Wang Hailing said, "Do you believe people actually can feel the hearts of others? If you feel confident. If you believe this, then you can write -- according to your feelings. For instance, the intellectual women in my novels are often total shrews. So how do I dare to write like this? Because when I lose temper with my son, I am like any other shrew."

Wang Hailing was born in 1952 in China's eastern Shandong province. She joined the army at 16. The introverted, sensitive and energetic girl took up her pen. She began to write in seclusion, fearing failure and embarrassment. After many rejections, Wang Hailing had her essays published. She became a professional writer for the army, writing stage dramas. However, she was forced to abandon her still rising career as a writer when she became a single mother.

Wang Hailing said, "After my son was born, I quit writing until he went to kindergarten. Why? I wanted to watch him grow up. I think there are a lot of changes in those years. I didn't want to miss them. That's the subjective reason. The objective reason was that we had only one room for my son, my baby sitter and me. We all lived there. The place was always a mess. "

The U-turn came in 1992 when her savings were almost gone. The well known writer of thought-provoking TV dramas, Wang Shuo invited Wang Hailing to co-write the TV series, "Love You Without Hesitation."

Wang Hailing said, "Only by laying myself open to the work could I pay back his generosity and the way he treated me as an equal. The opportunity was crucial for me. It was a shortcut. Because of that I didn't have to travel the same crooked road that other screenwriters take. Some of them never get paid. Some never arouse any interest. I started may career with the help of a powerful veteran writer. It also taught me a lot."

Wang no longer needs to write for a living. Her monumental success hasn't turned her head. She refuses many high-paying offers to write TV dramas. Her preference is to be alone, writing "Daughter of the Senior Colonel". It's inspired by her own experience. It's also her favourite.

Wang Hailing said, "Some authors conceal themselves in their stories. Others are more open, especially when they write the novels they really love. "Daughter of the Senior Colonel" is my favorite. In this story, I didn't want the leading character to be a writer. It's too close to me. But I can write a better story if the lead character is a writer. I know what happens to her. So an author, telling a favorite story, really can't hide much. In my blog, I tell people not to try too hard to match the main character to me. Telling the story in this way was a sacrifice that I made for art."

(CCTV June 10,2008)