Me and Debbie Macomber National Writers Series
Earlier this month, something wonderful and unexpected happened – I got to interview Debbie Macomber. That’s right – Cedar Cove Debbie Macomber. The shop on Blossom Street Debbie Macomber. New York Times best-seller Debbie Macomber. (You can read the interview here.)
Me, a small-town, barely-making-any-money, struggling-to-succeed, considering-a-new-career writer, and Debbie Macomber.
To call the situation exciting would be like calling open-heart surgery a “small procedure.” I read my first Debbie Macomber book a decade ago at my sister’s house. A few months later, Borders had a “Buy 3, Get 2 Free” sale in the romance section, so I picked up 1-5 of the Macomber’s Cedar Cove series.
I fell in love.
For the next few years, my husband would pick up Macomber books any time he saw them at a used book sale or garage sale. I read them, re-read them, and still have many on my bookshelf, in case I want to read them again.
As if writing dozens of best sellers isn’t enough, Macomber’s list of accomplishments also includes: cookbooks, devotionals, non-fiction books, TV movies, and a TV series. She also owns a knitting shop and tea room.
That’s all very impressive, but it’s only part of the story. Here’s what I learned about Macomber:
*She’s dyslexic.
*She couldn’t read until she was 10, and her teachers told her she wouldn’t amount to much.
*At a writing conference, someone told her to throw away her manuscript.
*She couldn’t afford a typewriter-she had to rent one.
*She wrote with four kids in the house.
Here’s what else I learned:
*She taught herself to write by dissecting her favorite books.
*She didn’t give up, even when only she and her husband thought she could do it.
*She led God guide her, which led to her first book contract.
After listening to Macomber speak, I thought about all of the excuses I make for not getting my novels written: I have to run errand, I need to cook dinner, I have to clean the house … so did Debbie Macomber.
I struggle with adrenal fatigue … she has dyslexia.
After work I’m too tired … she had FOUR kids at home. Do I really think she wasn’t tired?
It doesn’t matter what excuse I come up with, it’s just that – an excuse. The great ones – like Macomber – don’t make excuses, they write.
It’s time to retire my excuse.
Thank you Karin,
When the Lord first called me to write my book, in 2010 I simply read off my mental list to Him as to why this task was impossible for me to accomplish. No education, unable to carry out thoughts or even a word pattern properly. Sentences, punctuations, spellings. Goodness, I could hardly speak or think due to the trauma Id suffered from an abusive marriage. Needless to say, the Lord calmed me down, as well as your dear mother, who has been a source of strength and support since I met her. I loved reading your article about Debbie, and was so very encouraged by the fact that she was determined, and pressed on. My place to write has been while sitting in a lazy boy chair with my lap top. My butt hurts, my back hurts, the stupid mouse slides down the arm of the chair. I get tangled in the cords when I try to get up. It’s crazy. I have a 2nd year bible college student who lives with me as well as my son. If one does not bug me, it’s the other. Some days I want to lock myself away, and just say, ” leave me alone.” If I allow any of these afore mentioned things to rule in my heart, I am allowing them to win. So I will continue to press on towards my goal, knowing Father God is with me. He said I will never leave you, nor forsake you. After all, He is the one who asked me to write my story in 2010 while I was in a woman’s shelter. He makes a way where there is no way, and surely has through Debbie Macomber’s story you shared. I do know my book will be finished this year and I will begin another. Inspirational! Thank you, Karin