Thursday, September 4, 2014

Conversation 7: Shay West

Hi all, welcome back!

I'm your host, February Grace, and today we have the chance to chat with author and educator Dr. Shay West!



Welcome, Shay! Please, tell us a little about yourself.

SW: I'm a college professor and author. Teaching biology and anatomy courses had given me a lot of fodder for short stories and I've been able to use my biological knowledge in my various novels. One of these days I will try to invent a holodeck...

Q1: What is the best (non-writing) advice anyone has ever given you?
 

SW: To take care of myself first and to not feel guilty about doing so. It's enabled me to say "no" to people that ask things of me when I just don't have the time or energy to devote to another project.
 

Q2: Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? What made them special?
 

SW: I had several, actually. My fifth and sixth grade teachers saw my love of science and allowed me to do extra credit projects centered around biology. for one such project, I was able to care for a caterpillar (he was black with red spots) and document its cocoon and its emergence as a Mourning Cloak butterfly.
 

Q3: What do you like to do for fun when you're not reading or writing?
 

SW: I am really starting to get into photography and learning how to use my new camera. I love being in the outdoors and go camping every chance I get. Which usually means hundreds of pictures to sort through when I get home.
 

Q4: What helps calm you when you're stressed?
 

SW: Spending time with my cats, Buddy and Oreo. When they surround me and start purring, it puts me into such a relaxed state. I also watch movies or a favorite TV show and let my brain calm down.
Q5: *bonus question for everyone* Do you collect anything? If so, why?


SW: Movies and little plush microbes from GiantMicrobes.com. The last fits with my love of biology and my students really get a kick out of seeing giant versions of things like Syphilis or Salmonella. 


~*~

Thank you for stopping by to visit today! 

You can learn more about Dr. Shay West and her writing by visiting her website: http://shay-west.com/

See you all next time!

~bru