Ask the Author: Debbie Macomber
Answered Questions (20)
Debbie Macomber
Amanda,
First off thank you for the very nice compliment regarding my characters. Basically, the characters come into my mind fully formed. It must be part of the gift God gave me as a storyteller.
-Debbie
First off thank you for the very nice compliment regarding my characters. Basically, the characters come into my mind fully formed. It must be part of the gift God gave me as a storyteller.
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Leila,
Thank you for asking this question. Two career choices immediately came to mind. First and foremost, I would probably have found work in a yarn store in order to support my yarn habit. If given the opportunity I would have gone to college and gotten a degree in teaching, possibly teaching an English class. Overall, I’m utterly content to have the job I do.
I feel blessed every single day to write.
-Debbie
Thank you for asking this question. Two career choices immediately came to mind. First and foremost, I would probably have found work in a yarn store in order to support my yarn habit. If given the opportunity I would have gone to college and gotten a degree in teaching, possibly teaching an English class. Overall, I’m utterly content to have the job I do.
I feel blessed every single day to write.
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
The Bible comes to mind right away, but that’s sort of cheating. Everyone needs to read the Bible. I recently read a book by Amy Harmon titled MAKING FACES. I’ve recommended it to my daughter and my granddaughter. It’s a book anyone can read and love.
-Debbie
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Pamela,
The first book ever given to me was from a librarian. I learned early in life the importance of having access to a library. While in grade school the library was across town so my source of books was the bookmobile. Later, in high school I walked past the library every day and often stopped in to chat with the librarians.
Debbie
The first book ever given to me was from a librarian. I learned early in life the importance of having access to a library. While in grade school the library was across town so my source of books was the bookmobile. Later, in high school I walked past the library every day and often stopped in to chat with the librarians.
Debbie
Debbie Macomber
I’m delighted to be joining this year on February 13th at the Savannah Book Festival. I hope to see you there! I post all of my events on my website and have a contact me section that goes to my team for planning if you ever would like to reach out to me.
www.debbiemacomber.com
-Debbie
www.debbiemacomber.com
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Tina,
No one said to me, “Debbie, you should write novels.” That desire was born in my own heart. Family and friends had enjoyed my Christmas letters for years and I received a lot of positive feedback. However, I think it was a stretch for anyone to believe I could write and sell books.
-Debbie
No one said to me, “Debbie, you should write novels.” That desire was born in my own heart. Family and friends had enjoyed my Christmas letters for years and I received a lot of positive feedback. However, I think it was a stretch for anyone to believe I could write and sell books.
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Jayne,
Thanks for the question. I’m a morning person and get to the office between 7:30 and 8, read all the mail from readers, answer emails and then dig into my chapter. When I first start a book I plot out how many pages I need to write in a day to make my deadline. I’m generous with myself and allow for unforeseen events. Then I write until my pages are done. I can finish early but more often it’s around 4 at which time I head home. So I answer to your question, I’m a however-long-it-takes kind of writer.
-Debbie
Thanks for the question. I’m a morning person and get to the office between 7:30 and 8, read all the mail from readers, answer emails and then dig into my chapter. When I first start a book I plot out how many pages I need to write in a day to make my deadline. I’m generous with myself and allow for unforeseen events. Then I write until my pages are done. I can finish early but more often it’s around 4 at which time I head home. So I answer to your question, I’m a however-long-it-takes kind of writer.
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Dear Joanne,
Thank you for your question. Actually I enjoy writing both connected books and stand-alone novels. Connected books seem easier to me because I’m familiar with the main characters so its like slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes. But stand-alone ideas call to me too because fresh ideas and characters will often call out to me to tell their story. Lately, I’ve been having a lot of stand-alone ideas although I invariably find a character in the plot that I feel deserves a book of their own. Funny how that works.
Do I find it difficult to continue once a certain number of books in a series are done? Not really. The key is to know when enough is enough and that’s often the most difficult decision.
-Debbie
Thank you for your question. Actually I enjoy writing both connected books and stand-alone novels. Connected books seem easier to me because I’m familiar with the main characters so its like slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes. But stand-alone ideas call to me too because fresh ideas and characters will often call out to me to tell their story. Lately, I’ve been having a lot of stand-alone ideas although I invariably find a character in the plot that I feel deserves a book of their own. Funny how that works.
Do I find it difficult to continue once a certain number of books in a series are done? Not really. The key is to know when enough is enough and that’s often the most difficult decision.
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Hello Stella,
Good to hear from you.
After the initial connection or attraction between a couple I think the most important aspect of the romantic relationship is their ability to face and overcome the challenges of life, the problems that separate them, the conflict, and the fear that love isn’t enough. While it’s important that they respect each other and can laugh together, I feel it’s equally important that they can fight to keep the love they share.
Debbie
Good to hear from you.
After the initial connection or attraction between a couple I think the most important aspect of the romantic relationship is their ability to face and overcome the challenges of life, the problems that separate them, the conflict, and the fear that love isn’t enough. While it’s important that they respect each other and can laugh together, I feel it’s equally important that they can fight to keep the love they share.
Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Gary,
Reading certainly helped shaped me as an author then and now. It’s vital to any writer.
Debbie
Gary,
Reading certainly helped shaped me as an author then and now. It’s vital to any writer.
Debbie
Debbie Macomber
Jean,
I’m honored that my Dakota series inspired your own decision to become a writer. I wish you the very best in your endeavors. As to your questions. Sorry to say I probably won’t be writing any more in that series. I actually didn’t have a problem with multiple story lines as I tend to do that in several of my books. Hopefully the reader is able to follow along. As for the length of a series, I write until all the stories are told. It’s the job of the author to recognize when to end a series and it’s often difficult to let go of the characters.
-Debbie
I’m honored that my Dakota series inspired your own decision to become a writer. I wish you the very best in your endeavors. As to your questions. Sorry to say I probably won’t be writing any more in that series. I actually didn’t have a problem with multiple story lines as I tend to do that in several of my books. Hopefully the reader is able to follow along. As for the length of a series, I write until all the stories are told. It’s the job of the author to recognize when to end a series and it’s often difficult to let go of the characters.
-Debbie
Debbie Macomber
I have found that my readers and I share a special connection through my stories. If I laugh while writing, I know my readers will laugh and when I cry, they will cry as well. There are many times when I’ve been moved to tears while writing but maybe none as poignant as while writing BETWEEN FRIENDS. The story revolves around two best friends, Jillian and Lesley. In the story one of their love interests goes off to fight in the Vietnam War and never returns. Wayne and I are all too familiar with the ravages the Vietnam War brought to our friends, our communities and to our lives. As I wrote this story I was reminded of good friends who didn’t return and tried my best to capture their story.
Debbie Macomber
The staircase wall lining my walk to my office is covered with framed autographs of my hero’s. Literary giants who have gone before, who remind me as I make my way to my desk, the importance of the written word and my obligation as an author. I would love to have dinner with these authors and discuss what influenced them and their writing. Those listed include CS Lewis, Pearl Buck, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Willa Cather, Mark Twain and many others!
Debbie Macomber
I’ve just finished the final edits on my next Rose Harbor Novel SWEET TOMMORROWS, I can hardly wait to share it with you.
Debbie Macomber
Sitting down at my computer to write is the very best part of my day. I love it, and am so grateful and blessed to have the best job in the world.
Debbie Macomber
I’ve been asked that question before. My answer is that if there is writer’s block, it usually means the story has something wrong with it. Once you’re able to figure out what is wrong, then the story moves forward again.
Debbie Macomber
I hope that my books will touch a reader’s heart and emotions. I want to tell a great story with real people and real situations.
Debbie Macomber
I’ve always said that I’m a storyteller first and foremost. I’ve never been without ideas I want to write about. I’m an observer of people so I frequently find inspiration while traveling, talking with friends and family, and sometimes I even get a great idea from one of my readers (but I always ask permission!).
Debbie Macomber
Don’t worry about finding an agent until you have a publisher interested in your work. The best way to get published is to read and to write. Write every single day. Find a writing group—I suggest your local chapter of Romance Writers of America (visit rwa.org to find a chapter close to you)—and learn your craft. Believe in yourself and the power of your dreams. You can do this, but you have to be persistent.
Debbie Macomber
The most romantic line I have ever read comes from the book,
The Desperate Game by Jayne Ann Krentz, published in 1986.
The book starts out with this line: “He was the ugliest man in the bar, and he had his eye on her.”
This line drew me right into the book and made me laugh. I was impressed by how clever it was.
The Desperate Game by Jayne Ann Krentz, published in 1986.
The book starts out with this line: “He was the ugliest man in the bar, and he had his eye on her.”
This line drew me right into the book and made me laugh. I was impressed by how clever it was.
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