Ask the Author: AlTonya Washington
Answered Questions (12)
AlTonya Washington
Apologies Goodreads! You asked me this question 3 mos ago! Better late than never...I guess. I suppose the best thing is to give my faves from last summer and list my intended reads for the upcoming year.
This past summer I discovered 2 new authors and re-discovered another. Greg Iles "Blood Memory" and Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series proved to be real reading treats. I re-discovered Julia Garwood and had the chance to read/listen to "The Bride" exquisite!
On my list for next summer: "The Informant" by James Grippando, Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere", "Every Dead Thing" by John Connolly, the 5th Cormoran Strike novel and continuing the Maisie Dobbs series which I am completely in love with!
This past summer I discovered 2 new authors and re-discovered another. Greg Iles "Blood Memory" and Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series proved to be real reading treats. I re-discovered Julia Garwood and had the chance to read/listen to "The Bride" exquisite!
On my list for next summer: "The Informant" by James Grippando, Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere", "Every Dead Thing" by John Connolly, the 5th Cormoran Strike novel and continuing the Maisie Dobbs series which I am completely in love with!
AlTonya Washington
Hi J! When I shopped for an agent, my go to source was the Writer's Market Guide to Literary Agents. It's a great source for background information on agents and the projects they most heavily consider. The source gives you insight on the sales they've made and to what houses as well. Another perk of the source is that it tells you how best to approach them i.e. what to include in your proposal. Another great tip is to attend a few writer's conferences- there are now opportunities for face to face meetings with agents. Good Luck!
AlTonya Washington
It was a dark and stormy night when AlTonya Washington decided to write some poetry. This was a bad idea.
AlTonya Washington
Tough question!! There are so many unbelievably amazing worlds I've travelled to in my reading. The world that Karen Moning creates in her Highlander series is one I'd enjoy visiting...as long as I have a Highlander to go along with it ;-)
AlTonya Washington
WOW! Been considering this answer all weekend-not sure I've got any great 'mysteries' that could be plot-worthy. I suppose the mystery of how I survive as a full-time writer, librarian and mom without losing my mind could be the basis of a pretty intriguing story-line ;-)
AlTonya Washington
This is a twofold-or two couple question for me since I’ve got a fave couple among those I’ve created and those I’ve read. From my creations I’d have to say Quest Ramsey and Michaela Sellars from my Ramsey Tesano series. They lead a series that spans over 10 couples and remain at the top of the list for the way complement each other. Quest’s satin over steel, laid back appeal works so well with Mick’s outspoken passion but then they can meet on a somewhat cynical level that gives their dialogue and dynamics of their relationship a sensual potency that I (and my readers) find irresistible.
Of characters I enjoy reading about over ones I’ve created, the honor goes to Eve Dallas and Roarke hands down. I’ve enjoyed JD Robb’s In Death series for years and although the storylines change, the sexy, robust nature of these characters and their relationship has never failed to entertain. They’re a kick-ass couple who love as strongly and as passionately as they fight for what they believe in. This can take shape in Eve’s varied and heinous cases or in the differences of opinion that the homicide cop and her billionaire boss husband tend to have in each story.
Of characters I enjoy reading about over ones I’ve created, the honor goes to Eve Dallas and Roarke hands down. I’ve enjoyed JD Robb’s In Death series for years and although the storylines change, the sexy, robust nature of these characters and their relationship has never failed to entertain. They’re a kick-ass couple who love as strongly and as passionately as they fight for what they believe in. This can take shape in Eve’s varied and heinous cases or in the differences of opinion that the homicide cop and her billionaire boss husband tend to have in each story.
AlTonya Washington
Perhaps my greatest challenge is staying connected. Because I write so much- I mean I write everyday and would write ALL day if I could. It seems that as soon as I complete one project I'm geared up for the next and I love that! Unfortunately, that doesn't leave a lot of time to just connect with my readers. Staying engaged via social media is nice, but not the same as seeing them face to face. For the last several years I've been hard at work on my long running Ramsey/Tesano series. With the end of the saga coming next year, I'm looking forward to getting back to basics and enjoying more in-person visits!
AlTonya Washington
Read a lot and read outside your main writing genre. You'll find yourself inspired to take risks with your characters that challenge your creativity and motivation in the same vein. It's also fabulous for the vocabulary- when you find yourself stressing over how to say something in a new and gripping way.
AlTonya Washington
Everything tends to inspire me to write. It's something that I HAVE to do, so it doesn't take much to get me in the mood to put pen to paper. Anything from reading an awesome story, hearing a great song, even watching a fabulous movie tend to do it. Before I begin to write- especially if it's a work in progress- I always make sure to go back and re-read the last few pages of what was previously written. It puts me in the frame of mind to return to the world I'm creating.
AlTonya Washington
The idea for my latest Kimani release "Indulge Me Tonight" was inspired by several things- first being my love for stories featuring families. Most of the time, the family members get along with the exception of a few upsets. Rarely however, do I craft a story where the heroine has issues with the hero's family. This story changes that. The heroine of 'Indulge'- Tielle Turner- has never gotten along with her ex-husband's outspoken, judgmental relatives. Now that she and her ex- Gradeon Clegg are divorced, Tielle believes those days of family drama are behind her. When a devastating truth comes to light, the Clegg family will need Tielle's support as well as her forgiveness when they find themselves on the brink of losing Grae forever.
AlTonya Washington
Creating new worlds, new experiences and the intriguing characters to tell the tale!
AlTonya Washington
Currently tweaking the first final draft for the next installment of the Ramsey Tesano series "A Lover's Control"- looking forward to the book's November release!!!
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