The Northwest's Own Debbie Macomber

Best-selling author Debbie Macomber laughingly describes herself as a “natural-born storyteller who had to learn to write.”

And learn, she did. With over 170 million books in print, several national writing awards, four made-for-TV movies and a prime time television series that’s just been renewed for a second season, Macomber continues to live the dream that she passionately pursued as a young mother in Port Orchard, Washington.

Cedar Cove is loosely based on Debbie Macomber's hometown of Port Orchard, Washington. The majority of landmarks in Cedar Cove are fictional, but there are places you can visit in Port Orchard which inspired similar places in Cedar Cove. Christine Daniel, Director of Port Orchard's Chamber of Commerce, says there has been a huge increase in Port Orchard tourism since Hallmark's Cedar Cove television series started. "And inquiries come in from across the country," she says. "We've seen increased business, and it's been a real plus for the town," reports Gil Michael. He and his wife Kathy run the Cedar Cove Inn in Port Orchard. He adds that the television series has positively impacted tourism in the entire Northwest, not just Port Orchard. This photo of the Port Orchard Marina was taken by Kathy Woodside.

Born in 1948 in Yakima, Macomber and her husband Wayne decided to raise their four children in Port Orchard, where they continue to live. Macomber tells of knowing from a very young age that she had stories to tell and, as a young stay-at-home mom, she began her writing journey on a rented typewriter.

“I just knew that my ability to tell stories was God-given,” she explains with deep conviction. “I had this imagination that allowed me to create stories from whatever I saw in my life. It’s just how I function.”

Success, however, wasn’t instant; Macomber often speaks of the years she submitted her stories only to be rejected, time and time again. “I’m so glad I stuck with it,” she says. She recalls how her husband Wayne supported her dream. “We struggled for years; but I was passionate… That’s what I share with kids today; find something you love and be passionate in your pursuit.”

Debbie with her family 'back when they were young.' (left to right) back row: husband Wayne, Debbie holding son Dale; front row: Ted, Jody and Adele

Writing wasn’t easy for the dyslexic Macomber; juggling the demands of running a household, raising two young sons with learning disorders and managing the busy schedules of a family of six strained her writing time. Still, she stuck with it and in 1984, Silhouette published her first novel, Heartsong. “It cost $10 to mail it off,” Macomber told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2000. “My husband was out of work at the time, in Alaska, trying to find a job. The children and I were living on $250-a-week unemployment and I can’t tell you what $10 was at the time.”

Debbie Macomber has made a name for herself with her annual holiday stories. Her latest, STARRY NIGHT, is sure to be a welcome addition for many readers

Today, Macomber is an award-winning author, having been awarded the first fan-voted Quill Award for romance in 2005, a Romance Writers of America RITA and the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. One of the most widely read authors in America, Macomber is a regular on the New York Times bestseller charts, having just released her newest Christmas book, Starry Night, in October.

“I love all things Christmas,” Macomber sighs. “I love this book. Starry Night is a sweet romance set in Alaska and the hero is very much like my husband, Wayne. It tells the story of making difficult decisions, pursuing a goal or following your heart. It’s gentle and warm—kind of like how I see the world.”

Macomber is open and forthright about her personal views and her faith, saying she hopes to share with her readers her optimistic world-view. “I tend to be a hopeful person,” she explains, “and I write from my heart. I believe in a God of hope and miracles and I paint my books from that viewpoint.”

Hope and miracles might be a way to describe the phenomenal success of “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove,” the Hallmark Channel TV series based on her series of books. Starring Andie MacDowell, Bruce Boxleitner, and Dylan Neal, “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove” is the number one cable network show airing on Saturdaynights, 8 to 9pm. In a press release announcing the second season of the series, Hallmark Channel celebrated the tremendous success of the series, the show’s significant impact, and the fact that audiences have responded so positively to the show.

Macomber’s response? “It’s a dream come true!” When the first Cedar Cove book was published in 2001, she says she had no idea it would be so popular or lead to such enormous success. “It’s such an interesting process for me. When I wrote the first of the Cedar Cove books, 16 Lighthouse Road, I was just telling a good story. I used Port Orchard as my basis for the fictional town of Cedar Cove because I know where everything is! I thinly disguise restaurants, the library, even people – we made up maps and the Chamber of Commerce hands them out to visitors who come looking to share in the ‘Cedar Cove’ experience.”

Asked about her reaction to the casting of Hollywood star Andie MacDowell as her central character Judge Olivia Lockhart, Macomber exudes joy. “It was so exciting; she’s just so genuinely kind,” Macomber explains. “I was so nervous to meet her and she came right up to me and asked me to sign her copy of my book!” She describes the actors as her partners in the process of bringing her series to life and speaks of how much she admires their talents. “It’s amazing to watch the creative process; they’re all such talented artists.”

When pressed for her reaction to the popularity of the show, Macomber says she believes it resonates with viewers of all ages. “So much of TV now is ‘cutting edge;’ I think viewers are looking for normal, something that resembles the life they know and love. Yes, I bring my optimistic viewpoint to the stories, but this isn’t namby-pamby stuff. We deal with heartache, suffering, loss – real life.”

Husband Wayne, son Ted, Debbie, daughters Jody and Adele

Real life is what’s important to Macomber; she lists raising four “great kids” as her proudest accomplishment. Balancing a busy work schedule and traveling almost six months of the year, Macomber works hard to ensure her family remains central to her life. A devoted grandmother (she regularly hosts “grandma camps” for her eight grandchildren and has a four-star treehouse at her Port Orchard residence) she lovingly describes her times with her grandchildren as important and treasured. “I’m not a ‘normal grandmother;’ I work a heavy schedule, I travel, I have a full, busy career. But I carve out time for my grandchildren. I create special memories; I share my passions with them. I take them on 4 to 5 day trips. One of my favorites was taking them back to Yakima. I showed them my hometown – the places I spent my youth. The pool I swam in. I teach them to knit, to cook, to journal. They ask me the most thought-provoking questions!”

Talking with Macomber feels like spending time with a good friend; she laughs easily and shares openly. It’s obvious that she treasures her family and making time for them is a priority. She sees the years she spent following he dream to be a successful writer as one of the best gifts she gave her children, saying that she gave them “permission to follow their dreams by my example.” And at the same time, she adds, she’s learned from her children and the decisions they make. “They have such wisdom; I’m very proud of the choices they make, the responsible people they’ve grown to be.”

Responsibility and giving back are also important components in Macomber’s life; she and her husband serve on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet and she was recently named World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. An avid knitter (Macomber owns A Good Yarn Shop and the Victorian Rose Tea Room, both in Port Orchard), she sees this initiative as a remarkable way to combine passion and creativity with an outreach to children who suffer from poverty and the resulting lack of warm clothing. “I encourage knitters to use their talents and skills to make a difference,” she says. “I love knitting and knitters; we have great groups come to our shop in Port Orchard and we make memories that last.”

Lasting memories, following your passion, believing in your dreams – all are recurring themes with Macomber that she strives to pass on to her readers. A woman of faith, she says, “I knew I would never attain my five totally impossible goals unless God was involved,” she laughs. “My dreams were BIG!”

Dreaming big isn’t something that should dim with age, Macomber suggests. “I think we can all stay young as long as we continue to give to others; discover your passion, be dedicated to it, share it. Stick with it. Don’t give up; try again and again. One of my favorite quotes is from Peter Marshall: ‘The measure of life is not it’s duration but its donation.’