Dawn Chandler // An Author Interview

Good morning all! Today I have a very special post to share with you! I am participating in Eliza's book tour!!! *throws party confetti and sparkles*

So without further ado, lets begin!

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1. Tell us a little about yourself and why you are passionate about writing, what made you decide to first start your self publishing journey? 
Hi! I'm a home school graduate, the oldest of nine kids, and a writer who strives to honor God in all that I do. I think I first decided to go on this self-publishing journey when I stumbled across blogs like homeschooledauthors.com and saw how well other writers like me were doing in self-publishing. The more research I did the more I liked it. Dawn Chandler is so close to my heart and as cool as it would be to be published by a big publisher I didn't want to be forced to change anything I didn't want to (especially the book's location, Lone Pine). In the future I have some book ideas I'm holding onto a little more loosely that I would like to pursue traditional publishing with.

2. What makes this book special to you? And how does it feel to become a author? I can’t imagine how excited you must be! :)
This book is special to me for many reasons. One would be that it was the first idea I followed through with all the way to writing 'the end'. Another is that it takes place in the small town of Lone Pine in California. I lived in Lone Pine from when I was six to eleven and I have wonderful childhood memories there. Writing Dawn Chandler, in a way, helped me deal with my homesickness. How does it feel to become an author? Honestly, I feel like I'm just pretending sometimes. I've been looking forward to this for at least the past five years and I can't believe it's actually happening! Overall, I'm truly excited, but there are those little bits of fear that nag at me.

3. How long did it take you to write Dawn Chandler from start to finish? 
About 7 years.

4. Who is your favorite character and why? 
Kenneth, Dawn's older brother, is my favorite. He's goofy and caring and basically the older brother twelve-year-old me wished I had.

5. What is the best part about the writing/publishing process for you?
I don't know that I can pick one best part, but reading beta reader feedback and advanced reviews has been really rewarding. I have a 12-year-old friend who beta read it and has told me several times how much she loved it. The fact that someone in my target audience enjoyed it so much meant a lot to me.

6. What is the hardest part about the writing/publishing process for you?
Probably the part between writing the first draft and giving it to beta readers. Editing it by myself without other people's input was hard. I found myself getting a little tired of the story and questioning if it was any good at all.

7. What lesson would you like your readers to take away from reading Dawn Chandler?
The story revolves around learning to be content. Editing and prepping for this release I've realized how much I still struggle with contentment, just in different areas of life than I did when I was twelve. While I think learning to be content is possibly a life long battle I hope this book is able to help others with that in at least some small way.  Also, I hope they see that being content isn't about thinking, "Whatever. This is what life handed me I'll just pretend to be happy." It's more, "God's in control, He knows what's best for me, and I'm gonna trust Him joyfully."

Thank you for interviewing me, Brooklyne! I enjoyed answering each of your questions.

And THANK YOU, Eliza, for letting be be apart of your book tour! Dawn Chandler sounds like such a good book! <3 (And that last questions answer really is so so true!)

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Find Dawn Chandler on Goodreads HERE.
And pre-order a Kindle on Amazon HERE.

Book Blurb: 

Dawn Chandler likes the way her life is— or was. She liked going to the mall with her best friend, excelling at middle school, and attending church with her family. Typical life for a twelve-year-old in the city of Fresno.

When Dawn’s parents announced they were going to homeschool her, on her birthday no less, she felt like her world was falling apart. Normal kids are supposed to go to school, not read books at home. To make matters worse, they may be leaving the only home she’s ever known.

What are her parents thinking?

Before making the final moving decision, the Chandler family visits Lone Pine, a small town between Mt. Whitney and Death Valley. While there, Dawn and her siblings become acquainted with their eccentric great uncle, explore the new area, and meet a large homeschooling family. All of this makes the 'vacation' more bearable. Still, Dawn isn't sure if she can make the move and leave everything she’s familiar with behind.

Can Dawn learn the values of faith, family, and contentment?

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Author Bio:

Eliza Noel is a home school graduate with passion for Jesus, people, and literature. Growing up, her favorite books were always Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, and Pride and Prejudice. Around age twelve she wanted to read something with positive values in a modern setting, but couldn’t find what she was looking for. So she wrote it.

When not doing something book-related (reading, writing, blogging, bookstagramming), Eliza works at her day jobs, spends time with her many younger siblings, longboards, has coffee with friends, eats chocolate, and listens to music. California is home, but she would like to travel more and feels she could learn to be content anywhere.

You can follow her writing journey and see snippets of her everyday life on elizanoelauthor.blogspot.com or by following @elizanoelauthor on social media.

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Connect with Eliza Noel on her blog, Goodreads, and Instagram! 

And here is a Rafflecopter giveaway link, so be sure to go enter!!!

Philippians 4:11 NKJV
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have leaned in whatever state I am, to be content:"

Have you read Dawn Chandler yet? Isn't that cover the cutest?? What is one of your favorite self-published books? Lets talk in the comments!