Author Interview—Ilima Todd

So excited to have author Ilima Todd with us today! Ilima's debut novel, Remake, will hit stores October 14th. Here's a little more about Ilima and her amazing novel...


Author Bio:

Ilima Todd was born and raised on the north shore of Oahu and currently resides in the Rocky Mountains. She never wanted to be a writer even though she loves books and reading. She earned a degree in physics instead. But the characters in her head refused to be ignored, and now she spends her time writing science fiction for teens. When she is not writing, Ilima loves to spend time with her husband and four children.

Book blurb:

Imagine a future without family...

Nine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously.

But Nine isn't like every other batcher. She harbors indecision and worries about her upcoming Remake Day—her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they'll be.

When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be?

Find Remake on Goodreads here.
Pre-order Remake here.

*****

I absolutely love the premise for Remake. Can you tell us what inspired the novel?

My family means a lot to me, and I wanted to write a book about the importance of families and the role they play in our lives. So I basically imagined what the world would be like without them. Nine’s story is about courage and choice and what it means to be free, but at its core it’s really about family.


As a mother of four children, when do you find the time to write?

Good question. It’s an ongoing battle. I homeschool two of my children, so my time is severely lacking. I *try* to write during the day, but to be honest I get most of my writing in late at night when everyone is asleep. Diet coke is my friend.


What has been the most surprising thing about publishing your book?

The publishing industry is sloooow. Very slow. Writers must be extremely patient people. Either that or completely bullheaded. :) One nice surprise, though, is how supportive the writing community is. Writers are always willing to help each other out and lend support where needed, no matter where you are in the publishing journey.


What authors/books have most influenced your writing?

I had to read A Wrinkle In Time in the fourth grade and was blown away that a book—for a school assignment no less—could be so cool. That book started my love of reading, but it wasn’t until I read a certain sparkly vampire series *ducks tomatoes* that I considered giving writing a try. I thought…if that stay-at-home mommy writer can do it, why not me?


What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I can sing the ABC song backwards like a boss.


If your house was burning down, what would you take and why? (other than your family)

My laptop, of course. I couldn’t bear it if my fictional characters perished in flames. :)


If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be? (And no, you can’t ask for more wishes)

Ha. That I could eat all I want and not gain a pound. That I could write a book and get it right that first draft. And that I could become invisible at will…can you say running around naked without a care? Lol.


What is your biggest pet peeve?

Fake people. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. If I’m sad or happy or upset…you know it. Not that I think it’s okay to be rude or mean. Being kind and considerate is wonderful, and I expect most of us to behave as such most of the time. But the whole fake-overly-cheery thing people do that is completely not genuine? *shudders*


Thank you, Ilima! It was so great having you on Unicorn Bell today. Can't wait until Remake comes out!