Every community has a story worth telling. And Franklin is chief among them. This debut book from Gabrielle Waary is a warm celebration of one of Middle Tennessee's most special places. Written by someone who knew right away that it was not just a place on a map, but a living, breathing collection of people, places, and moments that deserve to be remembered. We sat down with Waary to talk about what inspired the book, what it means to put a community you love on the page, and why Franklin, of all the places in the world, was the story she simply had to tell.
Tell us about yourself. Is this your first book? What's your background?
I live in Franklin with my husband and our three kids, and this is my first book. After living in New Jersey and California, I visited Franklin and instantly knew it was the place I wanted my children to grow up. Like many parents, I’ve always loved reading bedtime stories with my kids, and over time, I found myself drawn to stories that felt personal and meaningful to our lives. That love of storytelling, combined with my gratitude for raising a family here, naturally led me to write Sweet Dreams, Franklin.
Before moving to Franklin, I spent time working in entertainment and partnerships, but this season has been much more about slowing down with my kids. Living here has shaped our family in such a meaningful way, and this book grew out of that desire to hold onto these years while the kids are little and really celebrate the place we get to call home.
What was the seed of the idea that started the process for this book?
The idea started when my daughter was born. I went looking for a children’s book about Franklin. I wanted something I could read at bedtime that reflected the place we’re raising our family, and I couldn’t find one. That’s when it really clicked for me. This was a story I needed to write. I didn’t just want to capture what Franklin looks like, but what it feels like to grow up here. The sense of belonging, the front porch conversations, the parks, the farms,
the music, the way the community shows up for one another.
Bringing that vision to life visually was such an important part of the process, and I was so grateful to connect with local artist and mom, Andrea Silva. She has such a gift for capturing Franklin’s warmth in watercolor illustrations, and her artwork truly reflects the heart of this town. It was important to both of us that every page felt familiar, like something you recognize and connect to, so families here could really see themselves in the story.
Walk us through your writing process. Where did you write, when did you write, and what did the journey from blank page to finished book actually look like?
This book was created right in the middle of our everyday life and my kids were a huge part of it. We were constantly talking about what makes Franklin feel special and what moments had to be included. What makes this feel like home? What would we want someone to remember? Some of those conversations happened around the dinner table, others at
playgrounds, on walks, or driving through town. We talked about the little things like the places we love, traditions, the feeling of being known and part of something. It wasn’t a quiet, sit-down writing process. It was layered into real life, which is what I think gives the book its heart.
How did you partner with the elementary class?
Because this book is all about celebrating the community, it was incredibly important to me that the project stayed local and included as many voices as possible. I had the opportunity to partner with 4th-grade classes at Franklin Elementary School, led by teacher Sondra Martin. She is truly someone who goes above and beyond to create fun, meaningful, real-world learning experiences for her students. Together, we created a hands-on editing process where the students could give grammar input and be true contributors to the book. It was such a special experience, and my hope is that they feel proud knowing they played a part in something that celebrates their town. I love the idea that one day they might show this book to their own kids or grandkids and say, “I helped create that.”
Who did you have in mind as your reader when you were writing Sweet Dreams, Franklin?
This book is truly for everyone. Of course, it’s for the kids growing up in Franklin who are living these moments right now, but it’s also for adults. I’ve heard from people buying it for their babies, for their siblings heading off to college, for their friends moving away, or even for adult children coming back home to start families of their own. At its heart, this book is about home. It’s meant to remind people, no matter their age or stage of life, what it feels like to belong somewhere.
Franklin has no shortage of storytellers and creative voices. How has this community supported or influenced your work as a writer?
Living in Franklin means being surrounded by creativity, storytelling, and people who genuinely support one another. There’s a deep appreciation here for preserving history, celebrating community, and sharing meaningful stories. That spirit had a huge impact on this book. From collaborating with a local artist, to working with a local classroom, to receiving encouragement from neighbors, friends, and local businesses, this project was never just mine. It felt like something the community helped bring to life and a story that truly needed to exist. That kind of support gives you the confidence to create and the courage to put something personal out into the world.
What's next for you? Is Sweet Dreams, Franklin the beginning of a larger body of work, or does this book feel like its own complete chapter?
I’m honestly not sure what’s next and that’s part of the excitement. This project has been so soul filling, and I’ve loved every moment of connecting with the Franklin community through it. Seeing children light up, hearing stories from families, and even watching adults and teens get emotional after reading the book has been incredibly meaningful. Right now, I’m just soaking that in. Whether it leads to another book or another way to support and celebrate this community, I’m open to wherever the inspiration takes me next.
SweetDreamsFranklin.com
"Living here has shaped our family in such a meaningful way."