A Conversation with Madi Preda on: The Story Behind the Story

In this deeply moving conversation, author Madi Preda reflects on the emotional origins of The Strand, a novel shaped by silence, loss, and the enduring strength of love.

The Conversation

What first sparked the idea for this book? Was it a moment, a feeling, or something that stayed with you over time?

The Strand was born from my desire to give a voice to the thousands of women whose stories were hidden for decades. As I learned more about Ireland's Mother and Baby Homes and the lifelong impact they had on mothers and their children, I couldn't stop thinking about the families that were torn apart. I began asking myself what might happen if, after decades of silence, a daughter found the courage to write to the family she had never known. That single letter became the heart of the novel.

Is there something about the story that readers might not immediately see, but that matters deeply to you?

Many readers will see a story about loss and reunion, but beneath that is a story about stolen identity. Máire didn't just lose her baby; she lost the chance to be a mother to her, and her daughter lost the chance to know where she came from. The novel is about the emotional cost of secrets, the damage caused by shame imposed by society, and the courage it takes to reclaim the truth, even decades later.

Did the story change as you were writing it? If so, how?

It did. At first, I imagined the reunion itself would be the emotional climax. But as I wrote, I realised the story wasn't really about finding each other—it was about everything that had to happen before that meeting could take place. Máire had to confront her past, her younger daughter had to understand the burden her mother had carried in silence, and the daughter who had been adopted had to decide whether opening old wounds was worth the risk. Those emotional journeys became just as important as the reunion itself.

Was there a part of the book that felt especially difficult or personal to write?

Writing the scenes in the Mother and Baby Home was by far the most difficult. I wanted to portray the fear, loneliness and helplessness experienced by so many young women without sensationalising their suffering. The moment when Máire is forced to surrender her newborn daughter was emotionally exhausting to write because it represents a loss that can never truly be undone. Even though the novel offers hope, that wound remains part of every character's life.

Looking back now, what does this story represent for you?

To me, The Strand is a story about truth finally finding its way to the surface. It is about acknowledging a painful chapter of Irish history while celebrating the resilience of the women who survived it. More than anything, it is a story about love that refuses to disappear. Time, distance and silence may separate a mother and her child, but the bond between them endures. I hope readers close the book believing that while the past cannot be changed, understanding it can bring healing.

A Gentle Invitation

If this story resonates with you, take a quiet moment to reflect on the lives behind it: the mothers, the daughters, and the silences that shaped them. The Strand invites you not only to witness their journey, but to hold space for truth, compassion, and understanding. Some stories ask to be read; others ask to be felt.

Stay Connected

To learn more about Madi Preda, her writing, and future projects, you can visit her official website:
Madi Preda Official Website

By staying connected, you continue to support stories that give voice to the unheard and bring light to the past with care and dignity.