I’m pleased to have a chance to interview best-selling author Debbie Macomber today. I was privileged to hear her speak at a writing conference in Hawaii in 1995. Her words in her keynote address touched me as her books, especially the Cedar Cove series have. Here’s Debbie Macomber:

1-Share one fun or interesting fact about your life or books.

Many of you may or may not know that I grew up with a wicked brother.  Surprisingly he turned into a decent adult but from the time he was born he was a constant thorn in my side. Still, I have to thank him for one small evil deed that headed me in the right direction early in my pre-teen years.  My brother was responsible for my very first sale.  It’s true.  Terry, with two accomplices–my cousins Doug and David–made copies of my diary and sold it to the boys in my class.  It was a best seller.

And you let him and your cousins live to adulthood? Amazing.

2-Why do you write?

I am happiest when I am at my desk writing.  When the story is strong inside of me, I live, breathe and sleep with those characters rummaging around inside of my head.   Over the years I’ve made an astonishing discovery.  Whatever I am feeling, whatever emotion comes over me as I create a scene, is transmitted to the reader.  If I laugh out loud, I know the reader will laugh as well.  The same is true with other emotions as well.  If the scene is heart wrenching and sad and I cry, I strongly suspect my reader will pull out a few tissues along with me.  When I put my heart out on the page, it links with that of my reader.  It’s this feeling of reaching out and touching someone else with my words that compels me to write.   And when I receive feedback from readers who say they laughed or cried along with my books, it encourages me to keep writing.

I think that you’ve said it well. If I don’t make myself cry or laugh while I’m writing, I can’t expect my readers to. And the emotional connection between readers and writers is true and strong, special.

3-In what ways does your heroine show strength? And where does she draw this strength?

To purchase, click here. Blossom Street Brides: A Blossom Street Novel

In my current book, BLOSSOM STREET BRIDES, Bethanne Scranton is newly married to Max.  They are crazy in love and grateful to have found a second chance at love, but Max has a business that needs his close attention in California and Betheanne’s business and family are in Washington state.  While they struggle to find time to be together, Bethanne’s ex-husband is creating an atmosphere of distrust in hopes of getting Bethanne back.  It is their love for each other, with the support of family and friends, that gives Bethanne and Max the strength to make difficult decisions to create a new life together.”–Debbie
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Debbie, thanks for being my guest today. And keep writing those wonderful books (oh and knitting too. :-)–Lyn

For more about Debbie on the web:
Website:  www.DebbieMacomber.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DebbieMacomberWorld
Twitter:  @debbiemacomber

Check out my new free read, Lady Sarah, an American Regency–above.