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Dawn Marie Brooks
Harrisville in Her Heart
Dawn was born in Salina, Kansas, in 1965. At age four, her family settled in Harrisville, Utah—a place that shaped her definition of community. Believing many of the world’s problems would be solved if every youth were blessed with open spaces, sincere friendships, and wise mentors, Dawn writes to put a little "Harrisville" into the hearts of her readers.
Growing up on seven acres with seven siblings, an abandoned Shoebox Ford, train tracks, and a canal served as powerful props for imaginary adventures. Though her youth was warmed by these human connections, her bay quarter horse, Pivot, was her dearest friend.
A Blueprint Rewritten
At age sixteen, Dawn's youth group jokingly predicted she would be the second-to-last to marry. Convinced her dream of a family was out of her hands, she wholeheartedly focused on a realistic "Plan B." If she couldn't fulfill her heart’s deepest desire of becoming a mother, she decided her life's work would be helping bring down the Berlin Wall.
She pivoted toward becoming a constitutional lawyer, studying Political Science and Sociology. Yet, the Heavens held a different, far more beautiful blueprint. Just eighteen months later, Dawn crossed paths with her husband, falling into a love that completely rewrote her plans. They married and were quickly blessed with four cherished children.
When her youngest turned thirteen, Dawn returned to school, graduating from Idaho State University with a Bachelor’s in American Studies and a Master’s in Rhetorical Studies. There, she discovered her passion for helping others reach their goals. For years, she guided ISU students as an academic advisor and worked with courageous Honors students. Inspired by their dedication, she later co-created a personal organizing company, B&B Organizing, with her daughter, Amber.
Real-Life Adventures
In 2012, Dawn remarried. Her husband, Terry Brooks (no, not the fantasy fiction author), fills her life with adventure. Together, they love to cross-country ski, hike, and play cards and board games with their friends and family. However, their absolute favorite pastime is making memories with their grandchildren.
Shifting from academic and technical writing to fiction has been a rewarding adventure. Dawn quickly discovered it is much easier to write a grant proposal than a magical underwater kingdom. After all, children rarely enjoy phrases like:
"Funds must be applied strictly toward direct operational costs outlined in Exhibit A."
Nor has a university administrator ever told her to include more dialogue or to "show, not tell.”
A Divine Purpose
Yet, through every season of career changes, technical writing, and family adventures, one constant remains. Grounded by her faith in Heavenly Father and gratitude for the Lord Jesus Christ, Dawn is channeling this new creative chapter into her most expansive mission yet: using the power of fiction to inspire individuals to identify and fulfill their divine purposes.
With joy, Dawn is currently crafting a Christmas novella and the first book of her children’s fantasy series, The Amazing Adventures of Thomas Jeffery Sea Lion. Through her stories, she shapes characters whose struggles and triumphs inspire readers to seek life's greatest treasure: the wealth of the soul.
This ultimate wealth flows from a deep connection with Heavenly Father, an authentic sense of worth rooted in gratitude for Jesus Christ’s love, and a clear understanding of God’s purpose for them.
