Nobel laureate Mo Yan working on new novel

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan said in an interview with Xinhua that he was working on a new novel, his first work after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012.

Without giving too much away, Mo said it would contain historical and contemporary themes, and would feature farmers, technicians, soldiers, children and craftsmen.

Mo's announcement followed the release of the latest editions of 11 novels, in Beijing.

Among the new editions published were "Red Sorghum," "Frog," and "Big Breasts and Wide Hips," which have been translated into English, French, Swedish, Spanish, German, Italian and Japanese.

"I am driven by a desire to write better. I want to pen something that is remembered as a classic in world literature," he said, adding that the writing process was a test of any writer's persistence, talent and energy.

"Although I am over 60 years old now, I still dream of writing great literature, " he said. "This passion is what keeps me writing."

Mo admitted that while he was proud of the accolade, he was looking forward to more Chinese writers being awarded the Nobel Prize.

"As the attention shifts to the new Nobel laureate, I will be able to concentrate more on my own novel."