GUTGAA Meet and Greet

Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Ilima Todd and though I'm not officially participating in GUTGAA, I am one of the first round judges and will shamelessly use any opportunity to meet new friends in the writer-blogger world. So, welcome. Here are my answers to the meet and greet questions. I can't wait to hop around and get to know you all a little better!

Where do you write?
I'm a writing nomad. It could be on our giant desktop in the library or my laptop on my bed. But my secret? I'm getting my very own writing room as soon as I have the time to clear out our playroom and move all those toys (my kids are getting way too old). So I'm THRILLED for that.

Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?
Um. Diet coke. I should seriously invest in an IV and just straight shoot the stuff. Don't judge me.

Favorite time to write?
Late night, after all the kids are tucked in bed. I can't write with distractions so this is the only way to go. And waking up early is SO not happening.

Drink of choice while writing?
Um. I think you know the answer to that one. :)

When writing, do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?
Music, definitely music. I am a devout listener of the M83 station on Pandora, but sometimes I have to play music that relates to what I'm writing. For example, a section of my last book took place in a futuristic, edgy city and I HAD to listen to techno/dance music.

What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?
The one I've just started (my fun book!) is from my family history. My fourth great grandfather served as a captain on one of James Cook's ships to Hawaii in the late 1700's. He helped King Kamehameha unite the islands by providing guns which gave the king an edge in battle. As a reward he was given the daughter of a chief in marriage. So it's a love story. What other kind of stories are there, really? :)

What's your most valuable writing tip?
Don't. Stop. Writing. It's a rough and many times lonely journey, but if you love it, don't give up.

And my mini bio?
Here's the one Deana posted on her 1st Round Judges Revealed post:

Ilima Todd is a homeschooling mom of four by day, writer by night (usually late late night) rep'd by Jennifer Skutelsky of Veritas Literary. She writes YA sci-fi and fantasy with lots of kissing while listening to the M83 station on Pandora. Sometimes she thinks her husband is a sleeper-cylon but doesn't think avocados are the greatest invention ever. She knows it.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck with GUTGAA!