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Harlequin TEEN Spotlight: Q&A with Michelle Madow

Welcome to Jenuine Cupcakes!
 *hands you a cupcake with all the sprinkles*

I'm really excited to share some of Harlequin TEEN's upcoming titles and the interviews I had the chance to do with a few of their authors. 

Today I have Michelle Madow, author of The Secret Diamond Sisters.




The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow
Harlequin TEEN

February 25, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-373-21109-8

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.



Harlequin TEEN Spotlight: Q&A with Michelle Madow

1) How did you come up with the idea for your story?
I’ve gone to Las Vegas every year since I was fifteen years old, and it’s always a fun place to visit because of all the beautiful hotels and energy in the glittering city. One day I was walking through my favorite hotel, The Wynn, and thought, “What would it be like to live here?” From there, the idea for The Secret Diamond Sisters began! 

2) If your main character had a theme song, what would it be and why?

There are four main characters in my book — Savannah, Courtney, Peyton, and Madison. Whenever I hear the song “Waking Up in Vegas” by Katie Perry I think of them, because the song is all about new experiences in Las Vegas! 

3) Which character was the most fun to write?

Either Savannah, because she is so optimistic but still has a lot to learn, or Madison, because she creates so much conflict (and conflict is the most fun to write!) 

4) If you could spend twenty-four hours as one of your characters, who would you choose and why?
Savannah, because she has a fantastic singing voice. I love singing, but have always just been a “decent” singer. I would love to sing a song and sound amazing! 

5) What is your writing style, are you a plotter or a panster?

I am a 100% plotter! I create a detailed outline for each book before writing it — my outlines are often 10+ pages single spaced. I like to know the story and work out the kinks first, so while I’m drafting, I can focus on the actual writing instead of plot issues. 

6) What's the last book you read and loved?

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. I absolutely LOVE time travel! 

7) Best piece of writing advice you've ever received?

A combination of two people’s advice: Barry Lyga, who said, “You have to write one million bad words before you write something worth reading,” and Julie Kagawa, who said, “The people who make it are the ones who never give up.” Writing takes a lot of patience, and improving your craft takes time. It’s highly likely that the first book you write won’t be your break out success. But the more you keep at it, the more your chances improve. Also, Beth Revis, the author of Across the Universe, didn’t get published until her tenth book, and her perseverance was a major inspiration to me.

Thanks Michelle! 

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