The Witching Snakes pt 7-9

Paul Realizes the Agatha is Bad News. Tries to Run Away

If you are reading The Witching Snakes, we are currently at part 18 where we learn who Agatha was and how she falls in love too easily. If you’d like to catch up on The Witching Snakes, consider reading these sections in why Agatha gives a new lover a guitar which turns out to be stolen. And the owner died mysteriously. One of the fun parts of the Bai Suzhen legend is how often it gets told and retold from various characters’ perspectives. My favorite version is still the Tsui Hark 1990s movie Green Snake, starring Joey Wang and Maggie Cheung, which you can probably find for free on Youtube.

However, the most immediate inspiration for my book is a short story entitled “Bewitched” by Akinari Ueda, which tells the story from the male lover’s perspective as he slowly learns that his new bride is not what she appears. At least in the early chapters, that’s how I played it. I then turned to a more Bai Suzhen centered retelling by a Chinese writer, Zhao Qingge, who wrote an introduction that was straight out of the Maoist propaganda ministry. I hate Mao, but the book is pretty great.

So in chapter 7, Paul is still having a bad time with the police.

In chapter 8, Paul decides that he needs to get out of Minneapolis. Everyone thinks that he murdered the guitar owner. Everyone is disappointed in him.

Finally, we have part 9 where Agatha (Bai Suzhen) comes back into Paul’s life. He tries to avoid her, but she loves him. It’s hard to run away from love, especially when you are young and stupid.

Again, these are mostly paid only. You get previews, but if you want to read everything, please consider subscribing for only $5/month. You will not only get to read my fiction but support me as I try to find a job in a post-ChatGPT economy.

Also, I hate to ask but the federal bastards cut off my food stamps and I have no idea when I can get a fair hearing, especially with motherfucker Musk slashing budgets and putting everyone out of work. Mario Mangione, please help us. But until that happens, I’d be very happy if you contribute to my Gofundme. Even $5 will be helpful.

I put the link above, but Legend of the White Snake is a great book.

I just sold a story to Cosmic Horror Monthly. Looks like they illustrated my story on the cover too.