Hannah Harrington, author of Saving June

1) What inspired you to write about suicide and its aftermath? Did you know you wanted to write this story from a surviving sister’s perspective from the beginning?

I did have some experience with loss as a teenager, so that was part of why I wanted to write about that subject. I did know from the beginning I wanted it to be from the perspective of a surviving sister. I have an older sister myself (though she has little in common with June), so I felt comfortable writing about that particular dynamic.

2) I love how Harper and Laney couldn’t be more different, but they seem to complement each other perfectly. I really believed their friendship, and loved that despite their individual personal flaws, they never stopped taking care of each other.  Are you more of a Harper or a Laney?

I’m more of a Harper type personally, though I’m definitely less confrontational and more easygoing than she is most of the time. I think a lot of people have a Laney-like friend, someone who is more outgoing and gutsy and able to talk you into doing things you wouldn’t on your own. It was fun to play them off each other that way!

3) As a music addict, I highly appreciate Jake’s obsession, and the way he feels about music and its transformative effects on our lives. What’s your own personal experience with music? Do you play an instrument? Do you have a song/album/band that has made big impact on your life?

I’ve always loved music as a listener, but I’ve never been very musically-inclined, unfortunately. I did choir up through middle school, but I can’t sing very well, though that doesn’t stop me from singing along to everything obnoxiously, whether it’s the radio or commercial jingles. A few years ago I bought an acoustic guitar and took lessons for a bit, so I can play a little on that, but I’m not very good!

4) I will shamelessly confess that in the course of reading your book, I developed a HUGE crush on Jake. Yes I know he’s not real, and even if he was, I wouldn’t go there for obvious reasons. Did you also have a crush on your character? (Remember, there is no shame in admitting this)

Ha! I love when people love Jake; I love him too. There’s a lot about him I find appealing in fictional characters—he’s snarky, he’s passionate, he’s guarded and has some trust issues that make it a bit difficult to win him over, but once you do, he’s deeply loyal. Not all of those qualities translate into the ideal real life boyfriends, but they make a great mix in fictional ones!

5) I thought the ending was perfect. Because there is such a strong tableau of music going on in the background of the major scenes in the book, I feel the need to ask this one: could you give us one song that would best accompany the next stage in Harper’s story?

This is a great question! I think I’d have to go with “Open Your Eyes” by Snow Patrol.

6) Speaking of the next stage in Harper’s story, I felt such a strong connection with her, and was so curious and worried about how she would continue to cope, and where she would end up.  Do you have any plans to revisit Harper, Jake and Laney in a future story?

I’m considering writing a sort-of sequel from Laney’s perspective (which would of course involve Harper), but I’m not totally certain on that. However, you will see Harper and Jake again for sure! They make a short cameo in my second book, SPEECHLESS.

7) What is the next book we can expect from you? 

SPEECHLESS is my second book—it’ll be published by Harlequin Teen in September 2012. It’s the story of a girl who takes a vow of silence after her gossip-mongering ways yield unexpected consequences.

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