Today is my slot on the blog tour for the fantastic middle grade adventure, The Legendary Mo Seto by A. Y. Chan and publsihed by Simon & Schuster. This exciting action-packed novel was released on June 4th 2024.

I have previously reviewed this book on my blog here: Blog Tour – The Legendary Mo Seto by A. Y. Chan.

My stop on the tour today takes the form of an author interview.

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What are the underlying themes The Legendary Mo Seto?

The underlying themes in The Legendary Mo Seto are ones every kid can relate to—self-acceptance, loving yourself, forgiveness and figuring out how to navigate friendships and family. Mo’s story is all about setting goals and pushing through challenges, but at its core, it’s about embracing who you are and realizing you’re perfect just the way you are. My hope is that this adventure not only entertains but also inspires kids to believe in themselves and see the greatness they already hold inside.

How do you get inside your character’s heads? Talk us through your writing process.

When I get inside my characters’ heads, I focus on their essence—what makes them them—rather than on their physical appearance. I picture their energy, expressions, and how they move through the world. I love blending in traits from quirky people I know and imagining how they’d react in different situations. Then, I play around with dialogue and tweak their personalities until they feel real and relatable.

In your opinion what are the essential characteristics of a hero you can root for?

To me, a hero you can root for is someone who’s flawed but still redeemable—imperfect, yet relatable. They take charge, making things happen instead of waiting for life to come to them. They might be defiant or even a bit rebellious, but they never cross ethical lines. A true hero trusts their instincts, isn’t dependent on others to solve their problems, and, most importantly, continually challenges themselves to grow. When I created Mo Seto, I wanted her to embody these traits—a real, relatable hero you can’t help but cheer for!

Do you play music whilst your write? If so what is your favourite? If not, why not?

I don’t usually play music while I write because I’m easily distracted! When I’m deep in a scene, especially one with lots of dialogue or action, I need to “hear” the words in my head, and lyrics tend to steal the spotlight. But when I do use music, it’s all about setting the mood with instrumental tracks. For the fight scenes in The Legendary Mo Seto, I’d search for ‘Martial Arts Music’ to capture the right vibe and keep the energy high. While I usually prefer the quiet, sometimes the right music can really bring a scene to life!

If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which one would you pick and why?

What a fun question! I hadn’t considered a spin-off before, but there are definitely a couple of side characters who could shine in their own stories. Dax, the antagonist, is complex and intriguing—he’s dealing with a tough family situation, and his struggles have shaped him into someone who’s strong-willed but misguided. Exploring his journey as he learns to process his emotions could make for a fascinating story. Then there’s Nacho’s grandfather, Gramps, who has an incredible backstory filled with missed opportunities and dreams of acting. I’d love to dive into his life and see him finally tackle those movie roles he always dreamed of, having the time of his life.

Which part of The Legendary Mo Seto was most fun to write?

The most fun part of writing The Legendary Mo Seto were the fight scenes. I drew on my own experience in taekwondo and all the martial arts movies I’ve loved over the years. In fact, I got to sit down and watch martial arts movies as “research,” which was a blast. Since Mo is trying out for a movie in the story, I wanted the fight scenes to feel cinematic—like you’re right there, watching it all unfold on the big screen. Bringing that energy and excitement to the page was a thrilling challenge, and I hope readers feel that same adrenaline rush when they dive into Mo’s world!

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever been given about writing?

The most valuable piece of writing advice I’ve ever received is to keep writing, even when stuck. It’s better to have something on the page, no matter how rough, because you can always edit and improve it later—working with bad writing is easier than staring at a blank page! Another gem is to treat every character like they’re the hero of their own story. Even the side characters need their own hopes, dreams, and arcs. They’re not just there to support the main character—they each bring something unique and important to the story. This approach really shaped The Legendary Mo Seto and made the characters come alive in ways I hadn’t imagined.

Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about The Legendary Mo Seto and writing for children?

What I loved most about writing The Legendary Mo Seto is capturing the optimism and innocence that make middle grade books so special. There’s something magical about the way middle grade stories can uplift you, no matter your age. I’m an adult, and it is still my favourite genre to read! Every time I finish a book, I’m left with a feeling of joy and hope, and that’s what I aimed to convey in Mo’s story. I wanted readers to come away believing that anything is possible and to feel inspired to reach for their dreams. Middle grade books aren’t just for kids—they’re for anyone who needs a little extra magic in their life.

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About the Author:

A.Y. Chan is the author of The Legendary Mo Seto, a story about a 12-year-old female martial artist who auditions for a movie role opposite her favorite martial arts movie hero—only to find out she’s too small for the role. Growing up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area, A.Y. read 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 a range of other types of martial arts, and she draws upon her experiences in learning new techniques and philosophies to inspire her writing. 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.

You can follow A. Y. Chan on Twitter/X: @aychanwrites, Instagram: @aychanwrites and Facebook: @aychanwrites.

Her website is: www.aychanwrites.com.

I would like to thank Dave at The Write Reads for inviting me on this tour. Thank you.