The Dawn Chandler Series began in a purple composition notebook twelve-year-old Eliza bought in a drugstore. I don't think that girl had any idea it would go this far. Or that the story would change as much as it did. Dawn's name was originally "Deedee", Uncle Wesley was originally dead, and the story wasn't even set in Lone Pine. Oh ya! And Caroline's name was Paris for far too long. You get the picture...

Dawn and the Letters more specifically began in Fall 2016. Sixteen-year-old Eliza started plotting in her free time between school, her bread baking business, and theater rehearsals. She wasn't done editing Dawn Chandler, but wanted to get a first draft done of the sequel so she had a better idea of where the story was going. A lover of Nancy Drew mysteries, and recently inspired by Hallmark's Signed, Sealed, Delivered she set out to write a story revolving around the characters she already knew so well with a touch of mystery and an important message. On April 18th, 2017 she completed the first draft.

Let's fast forward to now. Now I've sold over 250 copies of Dawn Chandler and received countless sweet messages from readers both over the internet and in person. I've had young girls tell me they didn't like reading until they read Dawn Chandler. I've had adults tell me themes in Dawn Chandler convicted them. I'm amazed by how much this dream of writing a series has grown. I'm amazed by how God's used me and the passion He gave me to impact people in even just a small way.

Dawn and the Letters deals with the theme of learning to love your enemies (or just people who seem unlovable). This is something I've dealt with over the years as I'm sure many of you have. My prayer is that through reading Dawn and the Letters you won't only be entertained by the character's playful banter, but also inspired to love people more and ultimately to love our amazing God.

Looking forward, I don't have concrete plans for future Dawn Chandler books, although I believe they will happen at some point. I can see the story picking up when Dawn's a young teenager, but I'm not sure yet. My plan is to take a break from the Chandlers and Jennings, as much as I dearly love them, and pour my efforts into a different story that God put on my heart several years ago. I'm super excited and a little bit nervous about it. Starting something new can be intimidating.

I want to end this by encouraging each of you to take time to develop the gifts and passions that God gave you. It can be hard work, but in the end, it's so rewarding.