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If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
If I could keep a mythical creature as a pet, I’d choose a qilin. The qilin is a majestic, gentle creature from Chinese mythology, often depicted with the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and the scales of a fish, and is known for its wisdom and protective nature. Having a qilin as a pet would be like having a guardian that brings peace and good fortune wherever it goes. It is also said that a qilin can look into a person’s heart to see how pure their spirit is, so my pet could double as my own personal walking lie detector!
How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?
How I write is that I focus on adding humor and making sure every character, no matter how minor, has a distinct and memorable arc. I love creating characters with their own quirks and personal journeys, which makes them feel real and relatable. It's important to me that readers can connect with each character, laugh at their antics, and root for them along the way. I try to balance humor with heart, making sure my stories are both entertaining and meaningful.
What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best writing advice I ever received was to "write the story only you can tell." This piece of wisdom has always resonated deeply with me. It’s a gentle reminder not to write to trends, but rather to draw from my own experiences, perspectives, and imagination, crafting stories that are uniquely mine. It encourages authenticity and helps me stay true to my voice, ensuring that my stories are rich and genuine.
When it comes to the worst advice, it's hard to pinpoint any. I know this might sound like a cop-out, but I truly can't think of a "bad" piece of writing advice I've received. Every bit of advice I've come across reflects a writer's personal journey and what worked for them. Writing is such a diverse and individualistic craft that advice fitting one person might not fit another. But that doesn’t mean it is bad advice; it just means it’s different. There's always something to be learned from any piece of advice, even if it’s understanding what doesn’t work for you. This perspective has taught me to value all insights, using them to refine my own writing journey.
Are the experiences in this book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Many of the experiences in The Legendary Mo Seto are drawn from my own real or imagined experiences. Like Mo, I started training in martial arts as a child and participated in competitions. The emotions, challenges, and triumphs she faces are reflective of my own journey in the martial arts world. Additionally, Mo's cultural background and family dynamics are inspired by my own experiences growing up in a Chinese household. I feel that these personal touches help bring authenticity and depth to my story.
Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Too bad there's a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions…and find time to search for her missing father (who just might be harboring a dangerous secret of his own). Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!
Publishers Weekly calls THE LEGENDARY MO SETO “Adrenaline pumping”, Kirkus Reviews says it “Packs a punch”, and Booklist calls it “Remarkably relatable.” Leap in and join the fun!
Read an Excerpt
I tap the arm of a boy next to me. He’s around my height, though he looks like he’s probably a good couple of years younger. “What’s everyone looking at?”
The boy cocks his head toward the crowd and frowns. “There’s a poster about auditions for a Cody Kwok movie, but—”
Cody Kwok? Cody Kwok! Aaaaaaaah! Every thought inside my brain disappears, except for the words “CODY KWOK” in capital letters, surrounded by flashing lights.
I need to see that poster.
I crane my neck, but it’s no use. What would Cody Kwok do? Cody wouldn’t let buildings or bridges or trains or nuclear explosions stand in the way of what he wanted—let alone a few people.
“Nacho, meet me out front. I’ll be right back.” Slipping through cracks, under armpits and between legs, I duck, crawl, and push my way through until I’m standing in front of Cody’s magnificent face. I’d recognize it anywhere. His black eyes are narrowed, and his lips are curled, as if daring his opponent to strike. His fists are held in a classic fighting stance.
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.”
Below the picture are the words:
CASTING CALL FOR THE PROTEGES
PRESENTED BY FLYING FIST STUDIOS
Inviting all young martial artists to participate in our open auditions to star alongside CODY KWOK in his next movie.
Sign up for an audition spot on Sunday, July 7
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Auditions begin Saturday July 13.
Sign-ups are—I double-check my phone—in a week.
About the Author: 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 favorite 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.
Book Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Mo-Seto-1/dp/1665937327
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-legendary-mo-seto-a-y-chan/1144226905
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-legendary-mo-seto-ay-chan/20699961
Twitter/X: https://x.com/AYChanWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aychanwrites>
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aychanwrites>
Website: http://www.aychanwrites.com
Simon & Schuster Author Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/A-Y-Chan/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/9781665937320
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