When it comes to the world of Malja there should be no surprise that martial artists play a role in my influences.  I've always had a love for martial arts, starting way back as a kid when I watch Kung-Fu Theater every Saturday afternoon (those living in the Northeast might recall the spinning Yin-Yang intro) and was exposed to all the wondrous schlock that was the 60s and 70s kung-fu flick.  Later in life I studied martial arts (I'm a 2nd degree black belt in Moo Doo Kwon Tae Kwon Do) which gave me a great appreciation and understanding of fighting.  In fact, I never cared to watch boxing until I learned what fighting was about — there's a lot going on when it seems that all they're doing is circling each other.  As an adult, I've rediscovered martial arts films and have developed an appreciation for specific artists. While I suspect many readers are familiar (at least in name) with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, both worthy enough for a post sometime down the line, today I want to introduce you to one of my current favorites: Donnie Yen.

While Donnie Yen is only now getting noticed in America, he's been doing martial arts films since the early 1980s, starting out as a stuntman and working his way into a fight choreographer, lead actor, producer, and director.  If there is a Rat Pack of Hong Kong action stars that includes Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen is a big part of it.  He's currently the highest grossing Hong Kong action star and puts out between two and four movies a year.  It was his one-two punch of the biopics Ip Man and Ip Man II (about the legendary Wing Tsung master Ip Man who taught Bruce Lee) that not only blew away fans and brought him high acclaim, but also brought him to America's attention.

What makes him so good?  Of course, he has great martial arts skills, and he practices Wing Tsung which has not been used as much as kung-fu or other forms in film.  He's also a 6th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and proficient in numerous other forms.  In fact, if not for a serious shoulder injury, he would probably be dominating the MMA circuit right now.  He's also good-looking (important in film) and charming.  But on top of that, he has acting chops.  While the action in the Ip Man series is astonishing, there are plenty of dramatic aspects to the film as well.  More than any other film star/martial artist, I see Donnie Yen attempting to do more than just kick butt.  He brings a sense of soul to his characters that creates a strong impact.

As a writer, I've tried to use this with Malja, Owl, and all my characters in their fighting.  It's not just about cool moves and big explosions.  Whereas Jackie Chan infused humor with his stories, Donnie Yen shows how to throw a punch and still have a drama behind that fist.  That's a key element to writing good action — making it about more than just a fight.  It's true in film, too, but it's easier to get away with just the visual element in film.  Obviously, this is not so in prose.

Think about it this way: which is more interesting — a man punching another man or a man forced to punch another man but not wanting to, in fact, knowing that if he does so, in some way, he could cause serious harm to his own soul.  From theater to film to books to campfire stories — all storytellers know that it's far more exciting to watch somebody try (and usually fail) to not do something than just to simply do it.  Donnie Yen brings that to his martial arts film work.  I highly recommend checking it out.