The Zodiac Schmodiac Story Cycle, 1st Course: Kung Pao Stories

Ready for a dose of Kung Pao Stories? The Zodiac Schmodiac story cycle takes themes from the Chinese zodiac and runs them off into unexpected directions in this short story collection. From bone-crunching demons that fart in rainbow colors to eating live, spicy mice and ghosts that visit in the dark of the night, these six stories will give you your daily dose of Chinesey-ness, Kung Pao style. A first book is like a first love, you pour your heart and soul into it, and hope to death that it won't betray you. I was ecstatic when I finished Adventures in the Land of Singing Garbage Trucks, but I knew that writing memoirs (or non-fiction for that matter) was really not my thing. I have always been into stories, and I knew that was what I wanted to write. Part of this comes from a love of reading, and part from an inability to tell the truth. How fun is it to tell a story without some embellishment? Most things in real life just don't happen so that they make good stories, and I for one have never let that stand in the way of me telling things as they should have happened. My kindergarten teacher once asked my parents if I ever told the truth, I would go to school and tell fabulous stories all day that had no connection with reality. My wife needs to remind me about once a week to stick to the facts when I tell about experiences we've had. It's just the way I am.So you have my first book of stories here in your hand, and they aren't just any stories; they're kung pao flavored stories. Each of these six stories crackles with Chinesey flavor, some might burn your tongue, and they are all best eaten with chopsticks. So grab your eBook reader and sit down with a steaming bowl of Chinese food and enjoy!The theme for each of these stories is taken from one of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. For some of the stories it relates to the animal itself, and for some of the stories it relates to the characteristics being born in that year supposedly gives to a person. "You Dirty Rat" is my retelling of the Zodiac story by the honorable Laoshu, the Rat himself. This is where the zodiac animals come from and how they got the order they have. "At Least I Have My Mustache" is represented by the Ox (or water buffalo). Old Zhang is the epitome of the characteristics of people born in the year of the Ox, hardworking, dependable, and methodical. "Mother Tiger, Father Cheetah" is all about people who are tigers inside. In Chinese there is a phrase, 'mother tiger,' to describe women who are really tough. There are two of them in this story. "Spicy Mice" came from an experience one of my Chinese teachers told me about his time in China as a translator. He actually had to eat spicy mice, just as happens in this story, but the rest of the details come from my imagination. Johnny in this story is a classic rabbit, gracious and a good friend, as well as being superficial and opportunistic. "The Ghost Who Tried to Love Me" is the story that represents the Dragon. I'll be honest, it has nothing to do with dragons and everything to do with ghosts, but since they're both imaginary they fit well together. The final story is "The Legend of Green Snake and White Snake." This story, more than anything I've written, makes me proud. It is good, and I hope you'll enjoy it.This is the first book released in the Kung Pao Stories series, which you can find out more about at Kung Pao Stories. I appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you with your comments and reactions. (You can find my contact info at the end of the book, or email me anytime, adam @ adamtervort.com) Happy reading!