Year of the Tiger
A “meet-cute” set in Seattle, Washington on Chinese New Year 1998.
Rachel Ming-tzu Wu is a 24-year-old artist. She paints, crochets, and makes jewelry. She moved in with her best friend when her parents tried to push her into getting a real job. When she is not making mistakes in her romantic life or trying to be creative, she enjoys cardio kickboxing.
Christopher Hao Pan is a 23-year-old software developer. His best friend wants to start a new IT business with him. While he is considering the idea, he has his life planned out - meet someone, get engaged after dating for a year, get married about a year later, and then have kids. He just doesn’t know where that someone is.
Music helps set the mood while I write. That is why the inspiration playlists play such a vital role in my writing process. These are the songs that inspired the Chinese New Year short story Year of the Tiger:
Eye of the Tiger - by 2CELLOS
This is the only song I can think of that has tiger in the title. And this version by 2CELLOS is pretty awesome. It was the perfect start to the playlist.
Any Man Of Mine - by Shania Twain
This is one of Rachel’s theme songs. She has a clear idea of what the perfect man is, but keeps making terrible choices with men who are not even close to what she wants.
As Long As You Love Me - by Backstreet Boys
This is Rachel’s best friend’s theme song.
I Like It, I Love It - by Tim McGraw
This is one of Christopher’s theme songs.
Gettin' Jiggy Wit It - by Will Smith
This is Christopher’s best friend’s theme song.
True To Your Heart - by 98º
I picked this song because it was on the Mulan soundtrack. The movie came out after the story is set, but the song felt appropriate for several reasons.
I Wanna Fall In Love - by Lila McCann
I picked this song because this is how both Rachel and Christopher feel.
How Forever Feels - by Kenny Chesney
I picked this song because this is also how both Rachel and Christopher feel. They may be opposites, but they want the same things.
Vodka & Jazz - by Lucie Cheung
I got this song a few years back when iTunes had some songs listed for Chinese New Year. When building this playlist, I looked through the songs I bought for something to include and found this one.
I Believe - by LeAnn Rimes
I picked this song because it was on Leann’s You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs album that was released about four months before the story takes place. A beautiful song from one of her older albums.
Reflection - by Christina Aguilera
I picked this song because it was on the Mulan soundtrack. After you read the story, you’ll know why it feels appropriate for this playlist.
You’ve Got A Way - by Shania Twain
This is Rachel’s other theme song.
You Just Get Better All The Time - by Tim McGraw
This is Christopher’s other theme song.
Amazed - by Lonestar
This is the song Rachel and Christopher dance to at their wedding.