Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 30

Teddy Played the Groom

I'm such a romantic.  I can't help it, it’s just the way God wired me.  From the time I was a little girl I loved the idea of brides and weddings.  I made up stories with my dolls and had them fall in love and then held elaborate weddings with teddy bears as the grooms.  I might be a lot older now, but the idea of weddings continues to fascinate and excite me.  Today is a special day as it is the release date of Blossom Street Brides, the latest installment in the Blossom Street series.  I feel like that little girl all over again, thrilled to be part of creating a wedding. 

You Lucky Dog

Over the years a lot of people have told me how lucky I am. Admittedly I am blessed. I grew up in a family that loved each other and by pure happenstance I met and married a good man. I've certainly seen God's fingerprints all over my life but luck . . . I believe we make our own luck. I once heard someone say that "Luck is the residue of hard work" and I tend to agree. Was it luck that I sold my first book after five years of submitting my manuscripts? Or was it simply because I was at the right place at the right time? In some ways I suppose it was, but in other ways, I sold my first book because I refused to give up. Despite the fact the rejections came fast and furious, I was determined. (I always knew that stubborn pride of mine would work to my advantage one day!)

We tend to celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick in many different ways.  Whether we’re Irish or not, we love to dress in green, enjoy traditional Irish foods, and yes, jest about luck.  Here’s a good luck toast for you to celebrate the day: “For each petal on the shamrock. This brings a wish your way.  Good health, good luck, and happiness. For today and every day.

Guess Who Inspired the Blossom Street Series

My readers have been the guiding force in my career from the very beginning.  Their comments and feedback have led me down paths I would never have taken on my own.  A good example of this is the Blossom Street series.  When I wrote The Shop on Blossom Street I never intended it to be a series.  It was written as a stand-alone book.  The feedback I got on the novel was strong and immediate.  My readers wanted to learn more about Lydia and Brad and the other characters they'd met in that story, especially Alix.  It was because of the notes and letters I received that I wrote the follow up book, A Good Yarn, which turned out to be my first hardcover to place on the New York Times bestseller list.  When people ask me what inspired the Blossom Street series, I smile and explain it was my readers.

A Prayer for My Daughter, the Bride

It was about this time last year that I was involved in planning our daughter‘s wedding to Greg. Jody was a single mom with two children and wasn't looking for a husband when she met Greg. I deeply admired my daughter, a wonderful mother who continually put her children first. She did everything humanly possible to save her marriage and when she had no other option but divorce, it devastated her. After she met Greg, I remembered a prayer I'd said for her from the time she was small. I prayed God would send her a life mate who would love her as much as he loved God. I believe she found that man in Greg.

Tears of Joy

I have a small confession to make.  I cry at weddings.  It's embarrassing but I can't help myself.  I don't even need to be close to the bride or groom for the tears to start flowing.  Even before we head to the ceremony, Wayne knows to grab a second handkerchief because he's well aware that at some point during the ceremony I'll desperately search my purse for a fresh tissue.  Even now I'm not exactly sure what prompts these tears.  Memories of my own wedding day?  Or when our children were wed?  Perhaps it’s simply sharing the joy of two people who have found each other and are vowing love and commitment.  No matter the cause of my tears, weddings are special and one of the very reasons I enjoy writing about them as often as I do.

My Pearls of Wisdom for the Bride-to-Be

With the wedding of our daughter, Jody Rose, last summer, and the release of BLOSSOM STREET BRIDES, wedding ceremonies and brides have been on my mind.  I was reminded of a shower given several years back in which everyone was asked to give the bride advice on how to have a successful marriage.  I remember that some of the suggestions were hilarious:  Don't ever pick up his dirty socks or Have plenty of chicken recipes on hand.  And some were real pearls of wisdom, such as:  Stay close to God.  Make dinner together a priority. Never go to bed angry with one another.  The sharing was great fun and as applicable now as it was then.  Like all married couples, Wayne and I have gone through a few rough patches but I've managed to have plenty of chicken recipes on hand and we've never gone to bed angry . . . okay, almost never.

The Story behind the Story: Blossom Street Brides

One of the most frequently asked questions I get on radio or television interviews has to do with my story ideas. People want to know what inspires me. Last year, when writing Blossom Street Brides, my inspiration was my daughter, Jody. She and Greg had decided to marry and we were knee deep in wedding plans. I wrote their vows (as I did for my daughter, Jenny Adele, and her husband, Kevin) and was spending time with caterers, photographers etc. Brides were on my mind and it seemed only natural to write a book about brides.

The Blossom Street books have always been special to me as an author, mainly because I've been able to meld two of my passions: knitting and writing. I owe a great deal to this series. Back on Blossom Street was my first hardcover to hit the New York Times bestseller list. The Shop on Blossom Street, the first book in the series, had been published as a stand alone book the year before and reader response was encouraging and positive. I proposed the idea of another story involving Lydia and the yarn store and, as they say, the rest is history.

Sudoku, Sunshine & Rain

For many years now I've kept a Gratitude Journal. It's become part of my morning routine to start my day by listing five things (or more) for which I am most grateful that day. Some days I write down silly things, like finishing a challenging Sudoku puzzle. (Thanks to God for giving this non-mathematical brain a chance to shine!) Other days it's more serious things, like thanking God for the years we had our son Dale. This starts my day on a positive note and helps me remember how good God has been to me, even in the darkest of times. God is good. I say that often and believe it. As I look back on my life I can see His fingerprints all over my life and I am grateful.

Puppy Love

A friend recently mentioned that the Army had given her grandson, who'd been injured in Afghanistan, a service dog.  Her grandson had sunk into a deep, dark depression that in many ways threatened his life more than his physical injuries.  The dog had made a tremendous difference in her grandson's life.  She called the service dog, his “comfort dog.”  I realized as she told the story that God had sent Wayne and me a comfort dog too.  Bogie came into our lives shortly before we buried our son, Dale.  God knew we would need this gentle, loving dog to help us through the darkest days of our lives.  Today is National Love Your Pet Day so be sure and give your pet a little TLC and perhaps an extra treat or two.

My Proposal Story

It's my understanding that a lot of marriage proposals take place on Valentine's Day--and why not, it's the perfect romantic set up for a man to declare his love.  As best as I can remember, Wayne proposed to me in February.    What sticks out most in my memory is that we'd had a small tiff and I was feeling wretched.  We didn't speak for a couple of days and then Wayne showed up with an engagement ring!  I was in tears.  I figured if he wanted to apologize with diamonds this was a promising future.