A Brevard Christmas Wish
A heartfelt holiday novella and cinematic screenplay set against the scenic winter landscapes of Brevard, North Carolina. Discover a touching story of grief, healing, second chances, and the enduring power of family love during the holiday season.
A mother, a daughter, and a holiday wish
At the heart of the story is Karen Garner, a widowed mother quietly carrying the ache of loss, and her seven-year-old daughter, Nikki, who wants nothing more than to see joy return to her mother's eyes. When Nikki whispers a secret hope at Brevard’s wishing well, that tender gesture triggers a series of unexpected moments, reuniting wounded hearts and proving that even the quietest wishes can reshape a family's future.
LOOKING GLASS FALLS
Where the Mountains, Water, and Magic of Brevard Come Together
Looking Glass Falls is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Pisgah National Forest, dropping roughly sixty feet over a broad rock face into Looking Glass Creek. Its name comes from nearby Looking Glass Rock, where winter ice catches the sunlight and shines like a mirror—a looking glass. The creek carried the name down the mountain, and the falls became Looking Glass Falls, one of the natural landmarks most closely associated with Brevard and North Carolina’s “Land of Waterfalls.”
From Hallmark inspiration to holiday novella
Originally conceived by Kevin Porter Young as a feature Christmas screenplay tailored for audiences who cherish Hallmark holiday warmth, the story evolved into an evocative novella. Set amidst the mountain vistas, local charm, and iconic sights like Looking Glass Falls, it celebrates community, resilience, and the quiet magic found across western North Carolina.
Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard was established in 1861 as the county seat of the newly created Transylvania County. The town was named for Dr. Ephraim Brevard, a Revolutionary War patriot. Main and Broad Streets were laid out around a central courthouse square, creating the heart of downtown that still defines Brevard today. Because of the Civil War, the town was not formally incorporated until 1868.
Brevard also has some surprising cultural history. Jackie “Moms” Mabley, born Loretta Mary Aiken, was born in Brevard before becoming one of the most important pioneering Black comedians in American entertainment. Despite leaving North Carolina as a young woman, she maintained connections to Brevard and returned to visit family and friends.
Other notable people with strong Brevard connections include Lauren Myracle, the bestselling young-adult author who was born there; Woody Platt, Brevard native and Grammy-winning founding member of the Steep Canyon Rangers; and Gil Coan, the Major League Baseball player who made Brevard his home for decades. Photographer Charles O’Rear, whose photograph Bliss became the famous Windows XP background, also later made Brevard his home.
Pisgah National Forest & the Blue Ridge Parkway
Brevard sits at the doorstep of some of the most beautiful mountain country in America. Pisgah National Forest is filled with winding mountain roads, rushing rivers, hiking trails, towering forests, and some of Western North Carolina’s most beloved landmarks, including Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock.
US 276 winds through the heart of Pisgah and climbs toward the Blue Ridge Parkway, putting one of America’s most celebrated scenic roads within easy reach of Brevard.
Stretching 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its breathtaking overlooks, sweeping mountain views, and layers of blue ridges that seem to disappear into the distance. Near Brevard, US 276 meets the Parkway around Milepost 411.8, bringing Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway together in one remarkable part of the North Carolina mountains.
For me, this area is personal.
I grew up in these mountains, only minutes from Brevard. As a kid, I didn’t appreciate just how beautiful this place was. The mountains were simply my backyard and my playground.
I see them differently now. I’ve come to appreciate what was around me all along. I understand why so many people visit these mountains and fall in love with the place I grew up calling home.
Writing A Brevard Christmas Wish allowed me to return to many of those familiar places and see them in a different way. Bringing that landscape into the story gave me a chance to share a part of home with my readers.
And this is only a small glimpse of what these mountains have to offer. There are many more beautiful places that have stayed with me over the years, and I will be sharing more of them in future books and movies.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy reading A Brevard Christmas Wish.
Connecting readers and filmmakers
Whether you are a reader anticipating the upcoming novella pre-order or an entertainment producer seeking a completed, heartfelt holiday screenplay ready for television or feature production, A Brevard Christmas Wish invites you in. Explore this unforgettable journey of opening your heart once more after profound loss.