When books look good on screen

Mo Yan, one of the country's most acclaimed authors, once wrote a novel for the big screen. It was turned down flat by the well-known film director, Zhang Yimou.

"I created my heroine in the image of Gong Li, who was (rumored to be) Zhang's sweetheart at that time," Mo recalls. "And I visualized her eyes, her poses and smiles throughout the whole writing process - I was already playing the movie in my head."

Mo says Zhang was very critical when he received the script. "He asked me, 'Why are you thinking on our behalf? You have even decided the position of the camera!'" the author recalls.