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The story behind the story

1/7/2019

12 Comments

 
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Pre-order available on: KINDLE | HARDCOVER | PAPERBACK | AUDIO and in MP3
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​In the summer of 2016, after doing a little research on my family tree, I traveled to Dromahair, Ireland, to see the place where my great-grandfather, Martin Smith, was born and raised. He emigrated to the States as a young man; my nana said he got involved with the local IRB, and his parents sent him to America because they didn’t want him getting into trouble.


I don’t know if that’s true, as Nana has been gone since 2001, but he was born the same year as Michael Collins, in a period of reformation and revolution. Nana had written a few things on the back of a St. Patrick’s Day card one year about her father, my great-grandfather. I knew when he was born, I knew his mother’s name was Anne Gallagher, and his father was Michael Smith. But that’s all I knew. Just like the main character in What The Wind Knows, I went to Dromahair with the hopes of finding them. And I did.

My parents and my older sister took the trip with me, and the first time we saw Lough Gill, my chest burned, and my eyes teared. Every step of the way, it felt like we were being guided and led. Deirdre Fallon, a real-life librarian—libraries never let you down—in Dromahair directed us to the genealogical center in Ballinamore. We were then directed to Ballinagar, a cemetery behind a church in the middle of fields. When I asked how we would find it, I really was told to pray or pull over and ask someone, just like Anne was told to do in this book. I won’t ever forget how it felt to walk up that rise among the stones and find my family.
The townland where my grandfather was born was called Garvagh Glebe, just like in the story. But Garvagh Glebe is not a manor, and it is not next to Lough Gill. It is a rather barren and rocky stretch of land, a true “rough place” up in the hills above Dromahair where there is a wind farm now. When I saw those big windmills, the title was born. What the Wind Knows was inspired by these events and by ancestors I’ve never met but feel like I know.

I couldn’t give my main character my great-great grandfather’s name (Michael Smith) because Michael Collins was such a central figure in the book, and I didn’t want two Michaels. So Thomas Smith was named for two of my Irish grandfathers, Thomas Keefe of Youghal, County Cork, and Michael Smith of Dromahair, County Leitrim. We also have a Bannon branch that I can’t get a lock on. Maybe there will be another book about John Bannon.

Even though this book has a strong dose of the fantastical, I wanted it to be a historical novel as well. The more research I did into Ireland, the more lost I felt. I didn’t know how to tell the story or even what story to tell. I felt like Anne when she told Eoin, “There is no consensus. I have to have context.” It was Eoin’s response to Anne, “Don’t let the history distract you from the people who lived it,” that gave me hope and direction.

Ireland’s history is a long and tumultuous one, and I did not wish to relitigate it or point fingers of blame in this story. I simply wanted to learn, understand, and fall in love with her and invite my reader to love her too. In the process, I immersed myself in the poetry of Yeats, who walked the streets my great-grandfather walked and who wrote about Dromahair. I also fell in love with Michael Collins. 

If you want to know more about him, I highly suggest Tim Pat Coogan’s book, Michael Collins, to gain a deeper appreciation of his life and his place in Irish history. There is so much written about him, and so many opinions, but after all my research, I am still in awe of the young man who committed himself, heart and soul, to his cause. That much is not in dispute. Of course, Thomas Smith is a fictional character, but I think he embodies the kind of friendship and loyalty Michael Collins inspired among those who knew him. I did my best to blend fact and fiction, and many of the events and accounts I inserted Thomas and Anne into actually happened. 

Any mistakes or embellishments to the actual record to fill in the historical gaps or to further the story are well intentioned and are completely my own. I only hope when you are finished with What the Wind Knows, you have a greater respect for the men and women who came before and a desire to make the world a better place.
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Pre-order available on: KINDLE | HARDCOVER | PAPERBACK | AUDIO and in MP3
12 Comments
Kathleen Krueger link
2/24/2019 07:36:32 pm

I cannot remember be as moved by any novel the way I was by "What the Wind Knows." When I had to put it down, my mind and heart remained emotionally connected in such an intense way. You created a type of spiritual circle with Anne and her relationship with Eoin that was so lovely. What should have been unbelievable you made so real. Not a single disappointment in the entire story. It made me so want to set out in a row boat on Lough Gil to see where and who it would take me to.

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Donna Holt link
4/6/2019 08:19:37 pm

I wholeheartedly agree with Kathleen. Being of Irish decent, I was deeply moved by “What The Wind Knows.” I could not put it down and wanted more after the last words. The connection, the emotions, the fictional reality felt so real that I was a part of the story! Excellent writing, Amy! I will pursue more of your novels!

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Patricia Rodela
8/9/2019 08:40:34 am

I agree with all 4 ladies who have committed. I have Irish in my DNA and I’m actively trying to search my mother’s father who’s last name was Wright. I have a picture of him in uniform but nice all my mothers family is deceased I’m at a stand still. I loved this book and since it was my first one that I’ve read of yours Amy I’m now one of many who has become absolutely one of your fans. I love the audiobook of this love story which added so much to my reading right along with my Kindle e-book. You are now my top author❣️

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Jeannie Murray McCloskey
5/22/2019 01:07:01 pm

I am almost finished listening to this lovely journey into Ireland's tumultuous history. I don'f want it to end. I love the characters, the history, the love story and the sweet brogues. Having a grandfather who came to America in 1904, and having heard so many Irish stories growing up, I am smitten. The audio version thoroughly gets me immersed. Wonderful story! Great job Amy!! Write more Irish stories! Thank you.

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Millie A Hepburn
7/20/2019 08:33:56 am

I adored this book, the characters, the power of the story, the blend of history ancestry and intensity- it expands the mind's perception of time and love. Definitely a must read!

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Amanda Lima
8/15/2019 11:08:38 pm

I am over halfway through the book and I don’t want it to end! I’m already heartbroken that I’m going to finish it soon! I want moooooreeee

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Alice Connelly Chapman
9/27/2019 10:14:57 am

Amy, I just spent one of the best weeks of my life, reading your book. I look forward to reading your future novels. Thank you.

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Tonia Barrett
9/29/2019 12:44:10 pm

My husband got me this book from listening to one of his colleagues talk about it. He knew it was right up my alley! Being of Irish descent, I too have researched my genealogy. With your book about all of my fave things: time travel, ancestry, historical & love. He was so right on the money! Never before have I been so emotionally transformed by reading a book. I have always daydreamed about living during the time of my grandparents & watching them grow up so getting to read about this, connected me in such a special way. I have never cried so much when reading a novel. It is so well done; the way you paint a picture of character & land... your descriptions are beautiful. I too am now a huge fan of your work. That’s the only thing that’s helping me finish this book (because I don’t want it to end), knowing I can read more novels of yours. Please do whatever it takes to get What the Wind Knows made into a movie.

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Ann gaffney
10/6/2019 03:13:44 am

I am so moved by this story, the prise and the language, they speak to me like only two other books have ever done. Superlatives are cheap, so I will shut up!

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Cynthia Neale link
1/10/2020 03:54:30 pm

I've just found you and your writing and latest book on amazon and ordered it. I love your background story about your ancestry. I've just learned my great, great grandparents came from Ireland during the Famine...finally, I know. But I believe I knew all along because I've written books set in Famine Ireland and NYC. And dear Tim Pat Coogan endorsed my last novel, 'The Irish Milliner.' "Good on ye" for following your heart and whispers of your ancestors.

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Mary Morris
2/2/2021 07:31:18 pm

Most wonderful and captivating book I've ever read. I didn't want it to end. I'm of Irish ancestry and this book made me feel as though I was there. Whenever I see photos or hear the music of Ireland something takes over and I feel I've been there. So this novel swept away away. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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Lisa Kenny link
4/15/2021 02:35:16 pm

I've basically just started reading this book, and since I already have Amy as one of my favourite authors I couldn't resist going into it blindly. Only 20% in and loving every word and yelling at my husband (Born and raised in Dublin)with every chapter about things he had described to my about in our years of dating. Like his Granda who too was in the IRB even though he was American born, but parents brought him back to Ireland. I myself American/Italian (Irish Citizen) am well rehearsed in the history from my husband and am loving this story and history!

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