AlTonya Washington Interview Published on: 08, Jun 2018

Books have definitely shaped me into one that enjoys and respects the power of words as well as shaping me into something of a problem solver. Books present a issue and solution in one lovely package-unless it’s a series and then well that’s another story. I tend to gravitate toward books where the writing style tugs me as strongly as the plot. Powerfully written stories with great dialogue and flawed characters who triumph over their struggles. Those books have certainly made me one who cheers for the character who struggles the most in the story because she/he is someone who desperately wants to be free of the darkness binding them. Which author do you admire the most? Which is his/her favorite work of yours?

Gosh…the tough questions start right away! There are so many authors I admire. I’ve been a huge Stephen King fan since high school so…I’ve enjoyed his work for many many years. My favorite book is “It” which I tackled for my final book report my junior year in high school. My classmates thought I was insane to select it given its length, but that story took me on a ride I’ll never forget and wasn’t hard to get through at all. I don’t think King became my “favorite” writer until I began to write romance. I love to read and have always enjoyed romance novels, but once I began to write them I shied away as I didn’t want anyone else's “romantic voice” in my head but my own. My love for King’s work reawakened then and he’s been the one ever since. What genre of movies do you enjoy watching? What’s your favorite film?

Another tough question. I’m a huge movie buff and enjoy everything from 80s Action to 40s Film Noir. My favorite film overall is “The Color Purple”, so as you can see I have a broad spectrum of genres that keep me riveted. What is your favorite part of your job as a Reference Librarian?

Again, it’s the problem solver in me. I enjoy finding solutions-answers to questions. When it comes to being a librarian, there’s the added piece of finding quality solutions and seeing that look on the student’s or the patron’s face when you’ve given them the help they need. It’s a very rewarding feeling. What, about being a mom do you love the most?

The way our level of communication has evolved over the years. He’s almost a grown man now and that transition from endless conversations on Legos and Play-Doh to Politics, Music and theories on Super Hero movie storylines (trust me, that’s a thing with us). The way we can debate with each other then laugh and be soooo silly. When we have time to spend together I never feel like he’s sacrificing fun with his friends to hang with mom-which is great because I enjoy that time more than any other outings I take part in. Of all the awards you have won for your writing, the two Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Awards and a Romance Slam Jam EMMA, which one means the most to you? Why?

They are all so meaningful to me-it’s a tremendous feeling to be recognized for your work. Writing is such a solitary endeavor, so having others show their appreciation of the craft in such a way in pretty amazing. I will say this, I didn’t cry until I won the EMMA. The reason I started writing romance was because; at the time, there were few titles that featured characters who looked like me. When I started writing, I envisioned women who looked like me reading what I wrote and enjoying the fact that they could more seamlessly put themselves in the role. Winning the EMMA (after years of being nominated) and seeing women of color filling the room as I accepted the award, felt like I’d come full circle. Which was the first book you wrote and when? Did you publish it?

The first book I actually wrote was “Mixed Signals”. The first book that was traditionally published was “Remember Love” published in 2003 by BET Books’s Arabesque imprint. This title went on to be nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best First Multicultural Romance Novel. “Mixed Signals” was a novella that I self-published years later. You write in different pen names- T. Onyx, Ally Fleming, Temple Carver. What is the story behind these?

When I first started to write, I didn’t have audience enough to justify pen names. My audience seemed to grow right along with my desire to create stories in different romance sub-genres. T. Onyx was my first pen name and one I adopted as the name I craft erotic romance under. As with all my ‘names’ it’s important for me to keep my readers from being confused about what kind of story and character dynamics they are getting. There’s a difference between steamy romance and erotica. I write under T. Onyx because I don’t want readers expecting a steamy romance from AlTonya and getting something waaaay beyond that. Ally Fleming is my name for Interracial Romantic suspense. My characters tend to be African American, though my Ramsey/Tesano series does feature many multicultural characters and I do have one hero who is Scottish. When my readers pick up an Ally Fleming title they know this is the dynamic between the characters. Temple Carver is a name I recently adopted-pulled from two of my early heroines: Duchess Carver (“Love Scheme” BET Books 2005) and Temple Graham (“Pleasure After Hours” Harlequin Kimani 2012) I had an idea for a storyline featuring a predominantly white cast. Temple Carver is who I’ve tapped to represent those stories. Her debut title “Elite Deception” is the first of those titles. What inspired the idea of ‘Elite Deception’?

I’d been toying with the idea of writing a mainstream romance for a while. I grew up on mainstream romance and knew I'd probably take a chance on writing my own story one day. I’d distanced myself from reading romance for a while when I first started writing but over the years I’ve renewed my love for those stories. I tend to read more paranormal romance than anything these days, but got the idea for Elite when I was doing some library research and ran across the topic of unincorporated townships. Ideas came tumbling in about a town that essentially operated on its own, what that would look like, what kind of people would live there-what kind of secrets would they harbor…I was hooked on delving in to such a storyline. Out of so many books you have written and so many characters you have created, which would be your favorites? Why?

It would have to be the characters for the Ramsey/Tesano series. The series began in 2006 with the release of “A Lover’s Dream” but I’d actually started writing it long before that and already had the first 3 titles done before the first publication with Harlequin. The series stands at 21 titles so far with plans for 2 additional titles late 2018/early 2019. It’s a complex storyline that spans 2 generations. The secrets are many and they are scandalous. What I enjoy most is that the younger generation is the one embroiled in the aftermath of what the elders set in motion. The older generation play a hearty role in the current events and they account for much of the saga’s villains. Love, scandal, seduction and some truly breathtaking heroes and heroines-I love everything about it! Which was the most difficult book to write?

“Taboo Tree” was pretty intense-the story of two feuding families who discover they are related. This discovery is made after several love matches take root. There was a lot of devastation and heartbreak in this story, but it was one I felt compelled to write. I had to get it out of my head, onto paper and I wanted to share it. Aside from my historical romance titles which are challenging based on the amount of research and preparation involved, Taboo Tree was by far the most difficult given the subject matter. You strictly write on the romance genre. What about the genre is so attractive?

I think the romance genre gets the worst treatment which always surprises me since there are very few authors regardless of the genre who don't mix a splash of romance into their storylines. Romance is a key element. What attracts me about the genre is its versatility. Whether a writer chooses to use a little or a lot, if done-written-right, romance is the spice that gives undeniable zing to any story. With so many romance novels in your name, how do you ensure that every book is exclusive in its own way?

My titles are very character driven-for me they are what motivate each story I craft. I view my characters as I would any flesh and blood person- each is different with his/her own set of experiences, struggles, flaws. I enjoy pulling two people into the mix and crafting a world around them along with the personal challenges they bring. Everything from their personality traits to physical appearances go a long way in allowing me to bring freshness to each story. What is the title of the next book that you are working on? Give us an insight to it.

Up next is the third title in Ally Fleming’s Sleeping Giants Series. Book 3 “Defined” features Rutger Eliades and LuCarolyn Young. “Defined” -like the first two titles in the series: “Intoxicated” and “Conquered” -is a standalone. To fully enjoy the storyline I suggest reading all three. I hope to release the final title in the series next year. “Defined” will release this summer. Visit Ally’s site (www.allyfleming,weebly.com) for preview reads and more insights into the series.