The Girl in the White Van: Interview with the Author

An Interview with April Henry about The Girl in the White Van

About the book:

1.       How did you come up with the story of The Girl in the White Van?

It started with a real guy who was really stalking girls in my neighborhood.  He had actually kidnapped a girl from a tanning place, but unlike in the book, she managed to jump out while he was driving. He ended up in a gun battle with the school resource officer from my local high school. 

 

2.    Who is the main character(s) in The Girl in the White Van? 

Savannah Taylor, a 16 year old who loves kung fu.  And Jenny Dowd, a girl who disappeared from a tanning place 10 months ago.  

3.      Which scene was the hardest to write? 

My editor suggested some changes, and the result was that I needed to do a substantial rewrite to Jenny’s character and story arc. It was hard to find my way to that.  

 

4.    What is your favorite thing about writing mystery novels? 

The research is fascinating! For this book, I got to watch Bruce Lee movies, visit a museum wing dedicated to him, check out a Pick-N-Pull yard, tour RVs impounded by Portland’s Derelict RV Towing Program, and interview a top plastic surgeon about how he repairs dog bites. 

5.      Where can readers purchase The Girl in the White Van? 

If you wanted to purchase a signed copy, you could contact my neighborhood bookstore, annieblooms.com .

About You:

1.    If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why? 

Being stubborn.  Because I am. 

2.    What are some tips for people who are becoming writers? 

The people who get published are ones who read a lot, write a lot, and work on improving their writing.  That’s it.  The thing is, the whole thing might take a long time, and a lot of people aren’t patient enough to wait.  And the book that eventually gets you published might not be the first book you write. 

3.    If The Girl in the White Van turned into a movie and you got to star in it, who would you be and why? 

I’m way too old to play Savannah, but I would love to play her.  

4.    If you would like to travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

I would love to back to Italy, or visit Spain for the first time.