A: One never overcomes dyslexia; one learns to adjust. My dyslexia went undiagnosed into my adult years. It wasn't until one of my own children was tested for learning difficulties and the results of the testing were explained to me that I realized my own struggles in school had been the same. When I was a child growing up in Yakima, Washington, there was no label or term applied to learning problems.

However, I had this dream I was afraid to share with anyone for fear it would be ridiculed. That fear came from a comment a teacher made to my mother: "Debbie is a nice little girl, but she'll never do well in school." My dream was to write and to see my books published.

I loved to read and to tell stories. I was a popular babysitter in my neighborhood because I'd make up stories using the children's names. When I became a mother myself, I continued to read and tell stories to my own children, while still harboring the dream to write. I worked to make my dream come true, turning into supermom as my four children were growing up, writing on a rented typewriter that I set up on the kitchen table when the kids were in school or taking naps. I moved it for family meals. I signed up for a correspondence writing course, attended community college writing classes and writers' conferences as our budget allowed. I took my favorite novels and dissected them to figure out how the authors handled pacing, characterization, scene building, etc. In five years I wrote four manuscripts. To this day, I'm a creative speller and have an administrative assistant to help proofread and check my manuscripts. And of course, my editor is a gem who always brings out the best in me!

There is no such thing as an overnight success. It took a lot of determination, grit and help from others to make my dream come true.

Q: How has your career evolved?

A: I was first published in 1983 with Silhouette Books and continued to write for them and for Harlequin Books, as well. I gained confidence in my writing and added to my skills with each successive book. I learned to work under a deadline--and to meet my deadlines-as any professional must. I've learned that a writer is not an island unto herself, but part of a team with her agent, her editor, her publisher, marketing staff and others, all of whom share the goal of bringing her books before the reading public and ensuring that those books are the best they can be.

I'm now writing about three new books per year (except for this year), trying to satisfy readers' craving for more books in the Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series and for my annual Christmas book-usually a romantic comedy. I'm having the time of my life!

At this stage of my career I find myself traveling more. I'm usually on an extended book tour in the spring with my primary publisher, MIRA Books, to support my May hardcover. This year I will also be on tour for Howard Books in support of One Simple Act, Discovering the Power of Generosity, a non-fiction book that will be published in November. I also receive frequent invitations to speak at conferences. I love meeting people and am grateful for readers' contributions to my career.

Q: What role does knitting have in your fiction and in your life?

A: Knitting crosses over almost seamlessly from my life into my books. I knit whenever and wherever I can, such as at home in the evening, on flights, during car trips (naturally, my husband is driving!) and hotel rooms. I am blessed to have a circle of friends who also knit, and we keep each other enthusiastic about our latest projects, new yarns we've discovered and the latest knitting tools. And last year I was fortunate enough to open my own yarn shop with several partners. We call it Debbie Macomber's A Good Yarn Shop. This September will be our first anniversary.

Because knitting is such a big part of my life, it's easy to include in my stories. The Shop on Blossom Street was originally intended to be a stand-alone book with no sequels. Because of reader demand, it became the first in a series that currently has six novels, and counting! Lydia, the character who owns the yarn shop (A Good Yarn) is a continuing character, as are many of her customers, with new ones appearing along the way. The books in the Blossom Street series that feature Lydia as a main character contain a free knitting pattern and inspirational quotes from knitters and designers.

I incorporated a "Knit to Quit" theme in my latest book, Summer on Blossom Street. The characters take up knitting as a means of making positive changes in their lives (such as quitting cigarettes or dealing with stress). Maybe some readers will be encouraged to do the same thing!

My Cedar Cove series, stories set in a fictional town based on my hometown of Port Orchard, Washington, also has characters who knit. Most notably, Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes, the mother of Olivia, a family court judge, loves to sit in her daughter's courtroom and knit while she listens to Olivia's rulings. The ninth book in the series, 92 Pacific Boulevard, will be published this September. And then of course the children's book, The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater . . . That Grandma Knit also has a knitting grandmother--and a knitting pattern! I'm sorry to go on and go about knitting, but you did ask!

Q: What has been the response from readers and how has that shaped your writing?

A: I'm proud to say that readers have always been extremely generous with praise for my books, but when The Shop on Blossom Street came out, there was a lot of mail demanding more! I was virtually finished writing my next book, but recognized that I was onto something big here. With my publisher's agreement, I put it aside and wrote the second book, A Good Yarn. That was my first New York Times hardcover, for which I thank my readers. It was their idea, after all.

Q: You are now writing non-fiction as well as fiction. Can you share with us any details of upcoming projects?

A: This year, as I've mentioned, my second non-fiction book, One Simple Act, will be published by Howard Books in November. I hope readers will find it inspiring. It's impressive to see how one simple act of kindness can have a ripple effect! And my first children's picture book, written together with my friend, Mary Lou Carney, The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater. . . That Grandma Knit, will be published by Harper Children's Books in October. I love the fact I was able to include a knitting pattern in this book, too--a bonus for all the grandmothers who knit! And finally, there's my cookbook. I'm very excited about this. Debbie Macomber's A Cedar Cove Cookbook is a stunning, absolutely beautiful book with "user-friendly" recipes, gorgeous photos and something extra-commentaries from Charlotte about the characters who live in Cedar Cove. The idea for this cookbook was originally suggested by readers and includes some of the recipes and meals referred to in the Cedar Cove books. See? Once again, my readers have had a positive impact on my career!

Interview Date: July 2009
Profile and questions compiled by Megan M., Main Library