Patricia Falvey is the author of five historical novels that focus on Irish history and ordinary characters living through major historical events, blending fact with fiction. Her latest, "The Famine Orphans," follows six characters — "orphan girls" — who take part in a real-life effort by the British government to decrease the number of orphans in Irish workhouses and boost the population of Australia.

In this episode, Falvey shares her own experience of immigrating to a foreign land. She talks about how she made her way in the United States, initially working in Omaha for the Job Corps before heading to Boston, where she received a scholarship to Suffolk University and went on to have a successful career as an accountant and CPA.

She spent 30-plus years in that field although she'd always dreamed of being a writer. She had even told bedtime stories to herself as a young child. When she finally took a leap of faith to become a full-time writer, it was the beginning of a fulfilling second act. She encourages others with a dream to consider finding a way to make it come true.

To listen to "Orphan Girl" sung by the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, go to this video. To learn more about Falvey's books, visit her website.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation, available on YouTube and in podcast directories including Apple, Audible, iHeart and Spotify.