Title: Diamonds are Forever
Author: Michelle Madow
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release
Date: October 27, 2015
Series: The Secret Diamond Sisters #3
Genre: Young Adult
Length: 368 Pages
ISBN: 9780373211524
It's cold outside, but the drama is hot!
The Diamond sisters jet to the mountains for spring break,
and Savannah's flirt-mance with an international pop star heats up as her
pursuit of stardom succeeds. But is this romance meant to be, or has the right
guy been in front of her all along? Meanwhile, Courtney takes the next step
with her secret boyfriend—and future stepbrother—and as their parents' wedding
approaches, the pressure's on to reveal their relationship.
Peyton's figuring out a plan for her future, but she still
feels guilty about getting her former bodyguard fired and wonders if she can
get over him in the arms of someone else. But the biggest bombshell will change
everything once again, because Madison's ready to tell the huge secret she's
uncovered. And with the boy who betrayed her but who could be the love of her
life fighting for his own life, she might need the Diamond sisters more than
ever.
Today we welcome Michelle for an interview. Take it away!
1. Did you always know you wanted
to be a writer or did you want to be something else?
I’ve
always loved writing, but I only realized I wanted to write novels
professionally when I was a junior in college. In high school, I wasn’t quite
sure what I wanted to be—I thought maybe a psychologist, because I’ve always
been interested in people and how their minds work. However, it only took a few
psychology classes in college for me to realize that I wasn’t interested in the
science of psychology—what I loved was the psychology of characters in novels. So
during my freshman year, I switched my major from psychology to English. Then,
in sophomore year, I thought I might apply to law school. But a few months
later I realized that my “interest” in law only existed because I’d recently
devoured a bunch of John Grisham novels. I realized the big commonality between
all of these interests was my love of reading! So I contemplated going into the
publishing world—perhaps in publicity—and I signed up for an Intro to Creative
Writing class the next semester. My feedback from my teacher and classmates was
so incredible that I decided to try writing a novel. Less than a year later—in
the start of my senior year of college—I’d not only completed that novel,
Remembrance, but had signed with my first literary agent.
2. How long does it take you to
write a book from start to finish?
It
depends on the book, and on how many times I get pulled away from that book
because I’m suddenly on deadline for another book! For instance, when I was
midway through drafting Diamonds are Forever, I received my first round of
edits for Diamonds in the Rough. First round of edits include big rewrites, so
I had to put aside drafting Diamonds are Forever so I could complete the
rewrites for Diamonds in the Rough, since the rewrites were on a much tighter
deadline. While I’ve never written a book from start to finish without being
pulled away by something on closer deadline, I would estimate that it would
take me about six months to outline, draft, and edit a book.
3. How do you come up with themes
for your stories?
They
pop into my head from all different aspects of life. They usually emerge from
random “what if” situations that I think about, and grow from there. I write
everything down—even if at first the idea seems terrible—because you never know
if it might morph into something great!
4. Do you have a schedule of when
you write?
When
I’m drafting, I try to write a minimum of 1,000 words a day, six days a week.
On a good day, I like to be able to write 1,500 words, but on a day when I’m
struggling I force myself to at least write 1,000. I always do my writing in
the afternoon.
5. How are you able to balance
other aspects of your life with your writing?
What
other aspects of my life? ;)
6. What elements do you think
make a great story line?
I
think it’s really important to have a main character you can root for, but who
isn’t perfect. Characters have to make mistakes, because otherwise, the story
won’t be as interesting—and I personally don’t find “perfect” characters to be
believable. It’s also important that they learn from those mistakes. I love
seeing a lot of character growth from the beginning of the story to the end.
7 What was the hardest thing
about writing a book?
The
drafting process is by FAR the most difficult part for me! I outline and edit
relatively quickly, but drafting involves forcing myself to sit down and focus
every day to get at least 1,000 words written. (And I have ADHD like crazy, so
focusing is difficult!) I’m really tough on myself when I write, even during my
first draft, so I’m constantly picking apart everything I put down on the page.
But I always remind myself that drafting is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s
crazy how the progress adds up week after week!
8. How many books have you
written so far? Do you have a favorite?
I’ve
written seven and am drafting my eighth! My favorite is the “secret” YA time
travel/parallel universe thriller that I wrote this past year. It’s very
different from anything else I’ve ever done, so it was a blast to write!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Michelle. It was great having you here!
Michelle
Madow wrote her first novel, Remembrance, in her junior year of college.
Remembrance is the first book in The Transcend Time Saga, a three part
series about reincarnation and true love that Michelle successfully
self-published. The series was inspired by Taylor Swift's "Love
Story" music video. Michelle's latest YA series, The Secret Diamond
Sisters, about three sisters who discover they are the secret heirs to a
Las Vegas billionaire casino owner, was published in March 2014 by Harlequin
Teen. The second book in the series, Diamonds in the Rough, released in
November 2014, and the third book, Diamonds are Forever, will be coming
out in November 2015. Michelle is active on social media networks and has
toured across America to promote her books and encourage high school students
to embrace reading and writing.
Michelle
lives in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is writing more novels for young
adults. She loves reading, spending time with family and friends, traveling the
world, shopping, Disney fairy tales, Broadway musicals, and loves talking with
fans on Facebook (/MichelleMadow),
Twitter (@MichelleMadow), and
Instagram (@MichelleMadow).
To chat
with Michelle and other fans about her books, join Michelle Madow's Street Team on Facebook!
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