Della says: OMG! Review and Interview (Blog Tour)

I am really excited to be a part of Keris Stainton's Blog Tour. You can find a full list of tour dates here.

Review Copy: Orchard Books. Published 6 May 2010

From Goodreads: Della’s over the moon when she kisses her long-standing crush at a party – but then she discovers her diary has disappeared... When scans of embarrassing pages are sent to her mobile and appear on Facebook, Della’s distraught – how can she enjoy her first proper romance when someone, somewhere, knows all her deepest, darkest secrets?

I have been looking forward to reading this book for ages. I loved the idea behind the book – it had me completely intrigued – and I’m pleased to say I really loved it. It was different than I expected it to be but in a really good way – I loved the whole missing diary aspect that we are told about in the synopsis but the book is so much more than that.

The writing is brilliant – very witty and a pleasure to read. All the characters are really well crafted and come across as completely believable. I loved Della – very unassuming and I enjoyed watching her grow. Her family were great and I especially liked her parents – very different in a good way. Her friend Maddy was wonderful and there’s an excellent story surrounding her character that I enjoyed just as much as Della’s. As for Dan Bailey – he is adorable! I have officially developed a new crush! Not only is he (in my mind) completely gorgeous but he is also really kind and sweet and I felt a real connection between him and Della. You can really tell how much he cares for her – and I loved how he helped Della with her problem.

I didn’t find it predictable at all – in fact the ending took me by surprise (although it is possible that I was focusing too much on Dan Bailey and missed the signs!). I loved how the book was really funny but also dealt with real issues and emotions. I think it is safe to say I cannot wait to read more by this author.

Keris also stopped by to answer a few questions...

What inspired you to write Della Says: OMG?
When I was about 16, my sister had a party when my parents were away and the next day I couldn't find my diary. I was quite paranoid anyway and I was sure someone had taken it and was laughing at me behind my back. So then I started thinking about what could happen these days, with social media and mobiles - potential for much more widespread humiliation!

Do you have a favourite scene in the book?
I like the scene in Lytham. It's a nice, summery scene of friends having fun, but with a few undertones as well. It also features one of my favourite lines in the book.

You find yourself in the same situation as Della: Your diary is missing and now pages are being posted on Facebook. What do you do?
Ooh, good question. Um. Well if it happened now, I'd make sure it was investigated, but I'd also try and be okay with it. Make a joke about it. I'm always writing personal stuff online anyway, so I don't think it would be too disastrous (I hope...). But when I was Della's age, I would have been devastated. I would have stayed in my room with the curtains drawn, crying. Which, thankfully, is not what Della does.

If you could make Della Says: OMG into a film who would you cast in the roles?
I've been waiting for someone to ask me that! When I watched "Married, Single, Other" on ITV recently, I thought the daughter in that would make a good Della - Leila Mimmack, the actress is called. And although I've never watched Skins, I saw a photo of the cast and Megan Prescott who plays Katie looks like I imagine Della to look. As for Dan... I'm not sure who could live up to it! I'd love to know who people think of when they read it.

Did you always intend on becoming a writer?
No, not at all. In fact, it took me an embarrassingly long time to think of it, considering I wrote all the time! It should have occurred to me much sooner to try and do it professionally, but I think I just didn't have the confidence.

What was the publication process like for you?
I was very lucky, it was pretty straightforward. It's taken a long time - I signed with my agent four years ago - but there was nothing too painful along the way. I do feel strongly that everything happened when it was supposed to though.

Who are some of your favourite authors? Are there any books you would recommend?
Ooh yes. My absolutely favourite YA author is Meg Cabot, but I also love Maureen Johnson, E Lockhart, Luisa Plaja and Susie Day. As for books (apart from all the books by the authors I just mentioned), A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl by Tanya Lee Stone is brilliant. It's written in verse, which I imagine puts people off (I admit it put me off), but it's just brilliant and should be compulsory reading for all teenage girls (and probably boys too).

What’s next for you?
I've got another book coming out with Orchard around the same time next year (I think). I've written a first draft and I need to get on and finish it. So far it's set in New York and features a very foxy American boy.

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Thanks Keris! Foxy American boy? Yep - so there:)

You can check out the next stop on the tour at Good Golly Miss Holly tomorrow.