The Wind Whisperer by Krista Holle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Coming of Age, Romance
Release Date: October 2013
Book Description:
At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious. Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks. But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.
As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him. It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior. Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief.
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated. Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light.
While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes. Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always had a love of writing, but it was reignited after the fantastic popularity of Twilight. I never believed that Twilight was such a huge success because of the vampires. For me, it was the good old fashioned love story. These type of stories never go out of style.
What inspired The Wind Whisperer?
You might be surprised to hear it was Pocahontas. I lived on land once owned by Pocahontas when I wrote The Wind Whisperer. A lot of the customs and lifestyles of the fictional tribe in The Wind Whisperer were inspired by the Powhatan tribe that lived locally.
Which came first for you, the characters or the plot?
It was definitely the plot. I had an idea that I wanted to write a Native American Romeo and Juliet type love story. After about a chapter in, the plot completely changed direction and I ended up with a story full of intrigue, murder, kidnappings and a deadly love triangle. This all happened because I didn’t have the guts to kill a character I fell in love with.
Is there anything you found particularly challenging when you were writing The Wind Whisperer?
Even though The Wind Whisperer is based on a fictional tribe called the Chippokes, I wanted my story to feel authentic. I ended up doing a lot of research on Native Americans that lived all over The United States. I was especially enthralled in the customs of the natives that lived locally.
If you could be one of your characters from any of your books, who would you chose? Why?
I’d be Anaii from The Wind Whisperer. She doesn’t just talk to the wind. As her character grows, she realizes that her relationship with the wind is greater than she ever imagined.
When writing The Wind Whisperer, was there anyone or anything specific that inspired the character Anaii? How about Jayttin?
Ha, yes. It was Romeo and Juliet. These two lovers are from warring tribes. Unfortunately the tribe was split long before they were both born. Bringing the tribes together again is an important element in the story.
In your opinion what three words best describe Jayttin? How about Anaii?
Jayttin: Sexy, Carefree, Leader.
Anaii: Independent, Powerful, Feisty.
Quickies:
Coffee or Tea?
Water with lemon, please.
Milk chocolate or Dark?
Milk.
Favorite novel and why?
Water For Elephants is my new favorite. It was beautifully written and tells a lovely little love story.
Hard copy books or e-books? Why?
If it’s a favorite, I want it on my bookshelf. I want to be able to hold the memories of the book in my hand. Hard copy.
What kind of weather do you write best in?
Doesn’t make any difference but give me tomb silence.
Favorite author and why?
I don’t have a single favorite but Shannon Hale is one of my favs. She writes classics that never age.
If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?
I would of course love to see one of my own books on film. The Lure of Shapinsay would be beautiful on the silver screen. Saoirse Ronan would be Kait, the young Scottish woman who gets lured, and my selkie would be played by Adam Brody.
Author Bio:
Krista has been writing since she was nine-years-old when she scribbled out her first adolescent work entitled Merish, the completely illogical but heartfelt story of a girl who was part mermaid, part fish. As a young mother, Krista added to her repertoire some middle grade readers and picture books she’s wary of mentioning.
In 2004, Krista began an intensive four year period working part-time as a critical care nurse while homeschooling her four children. During this hectic time, courses of writing were taught and learned, and rules of syntax were scolded to memory. Ironically this period of study equipped Krista with the tools she needed to enter the next phase of her writing experience. Now equipped with the mysteries of the comma, Krista was ready to tackle a much bigger project—a full fledged novel.
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