A.Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favourite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading. Her debut middle-grade novel, The Legendary Mo Seto, is an action-packed adventure with a powerful message about identity and self-love.
We had the pleasure of catching up with A.Y. Chan to ask her more about The Legendary Mo Seto.
Writing and martial arts are two practices that require plenty of discipline. How does practicing martial arts influence you as a writer?
Martial arts teaches me to stay focused and push through, even when things get tough. The discipline and perseverance from taekwondo fuel my writing process, helping me tackle challenges head-on. Both demand dedication, drive, and a never-quit attitude—whether I’m breaking boards or breaking through writer’s block.
At the start of her journey, Mo is inspired by her martial arts hero, a movie star named Cody Kwok. Do you have a martial arts hero?
Absolutely! My martial arts hero is Ng Mui, the legendary creator of Wing Chun. She designed this style for women and smaller fighters, emphasizing close-quarters combat, quick strikes, and efficient movements—making it highly effective for self-defense.
Ng Mui’s approach directly inspired Mo’s character, showing that true strength comes from skill and strategy, not size. Just as Ng Mui empowered smaller fighters to overcome larger opponents, I wanted Mo to embody the idea that courage and intelligence can triumph over any challenge.
A good martial arts movie wows viewers with captivating stunts and fight choreography. Giving book readers the same feeling is a challenge! How did you approach writing the action scenes in your book?
I treated each action scene like a thrilling martial arts sequence, aiming to capture every kick and punch with intensity. Drawing from my taekwondo experience, I imagined the scenes as epic movie moments, full of energy and excitement. I wanted readers to feel like they’re right there with Mo, experiencing every heart-pounding moment alongside her!
Behind the action is a powerful story about identity, friendship and finding confidence. What do you hope young readers take away from your book?
I hope kids finish the book feeling unstoppable! Mo’s journey is about embracing who you are, believing in your strengths, and never backing down from challenges. My wish is for every reader to see that they’re already amazing just as they are, and that with courage and determination, they can overcome anything.
The book is sure to spark some interest in practicing martial arts. What would you say to young readers inspired to give martial arts a try?
Dive in! Martial arts takes you on an incredible adventure that builds confidence, strength, and resilience. Just like Mo (and me), you’ll start as a beginner, but each step on the mat will make you stronger—inside and out. Remember, every black belt was once a white belt. Keep kicking, keep believing in yourself, and enjoy every moment of the journey!
To learn more about A.Y. Chan, visit aychanwrites.com or follower her on social media:
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