A random answer lifestyle series
Q&A With Shay Each Sunday
This week I have another random answer series about some of my favorite things and everyday life routine that may or may not impact my writing and/or ideas. I believe most things are connected and most of what we do influences other aspects of our lives in some way. What do you think about that idea? Do you think it’s possible that something as simple as your favorite restaurant or food could affect other areas of your life like creativity, productivity, and so on? One of my grad school professors once said that his opinion of a story could change depending on what he had for lunch that day. I might not go quite so drastic, but I definitely agree to an extent.
Q: Favorite restaurant?
A: Matsulin in Hampton Bays. This has been my favorite since I was at least fifteen years old, bonus that it’s in the town I’m from. Asian food is my absolute favorite and this is definitely the best Asian restaurant I’ve been to. I also really love Beyond Sushi and Franchia in New York City, so they may be close seconds, but I have gone to Matsulin considerably more than any other restaurant.
Q: Favorite food?
A: Probably tofu and broccoli in red curry sauce (which I often get from Matsulin), but it’s hard to say for sure!
Q: Favorite drink?
A: Water and very specifically prepared coffee. I love coffee and always look forward to it but it doesn’t actually energize me at all.
Q: Workout routine?
A: I usually do Orange Theory workouts most these days. My workout routines have changed a bit over the years. Obviously things were pretty different when I was playing and training for competitive tennis, but since then I have gone in phases of doing things like kickboxing, running, using the elliptical, weight training. The first exercise class I found that I loved was pure barre, and I still go sometimes. I have also tried a bunch of other barre style classes, and I definitely enjoy incorporating those workouts into my routine. But in the last couple of years I have been looking for more cardio, so Orange Theory is great for that. I typically workout at least 5-6 days a week, but times of day vary.
Q: What’s a typical day look like?
A: I don’t necessarily have a typical day even though I do a lot of the same things every day. It depends on what exactly I have going on in the writing/editing world at the moment. Sometimes I workout in the morning, sometimes evening, sometimes even early afternoon. But I always get to each of my main daily aspects or tasks every day. I do think I might feel more productive and effective if I set more schedules for myself, I’ve just been so bad with following through on that. I used to write every single morning and I was getting a lot more writing done in those days. Now, with editing work and whatever else, I don’t set out designated times for each task, so organization in that way is something I need to continue to work on. I do believe schedule and routine is key and mine is too jumbled right now!
Q: Favorite vacation taken?
A: Probably Ireland. I would love to go back and explore even more parts of the country.
Q: Most desired vacation?
A: Fiji!
Q: Favorite season and season activity?
A: I always say fall is my favorite season, and it probably is because it’s so beautiful and cozy feeling, but I really do love summer. The ocean is my favorite place and I never get tired of laying out in the sun, but somehow nothing compares to the sentiments of fall. As far as fall activities, I like going to any sort of orchard or farm with apple picking, pumpkin picking, etc. but I also enjoy any nice hike with pretty foliage! And I like all the spooky Halloween vibes. And pumpkin pie. And sweaters and boots. And all that basic stuff, I guess.
Q: Best accomplishment?
A: I don’t know, lol. I have accomplished some decent things I suppose like graduating college, grad school, and publishing book(s), but I think my best accomplishment will be yet to come—I hope anyway.
Q: Favorite thing you’ve written?
A: Hmm. So far, I think my debut novel Fractured is my favorite. My favorite short story that I have written is Carlin, David. And I’ll always have a special place in me for my first book Crashing Waves, which is still sitting on a file on my computer collecting metaphorical dust, so if that one ever makes it out into the world it will be a pretty special feeling. It was essentially the book I learned to write with, gutting it and reworking it as I continued to learn more, and maybe one day it will be at the right point. I still want to tell that story, but in a way that feels correct. Fractured also underwent a lot of my novice mistakes before getting to the state it’s in now and the characters have become a huge part of my life. I hope you all love it and feel the energy I put into it as much as I do! (Preorder or add to your Goodreads shelf :) )
