Before best-selling author Debbie Macomber wrote 136 books and 14 novels, she was a struggling writer raising four kids with her husband in Port Orchard, Washington. Macomber told 40 women at St. Andrews Village on Aug. 3 how she overcame dyslexia and years of rejection to become a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author.

Macomber said there were several times her dream of becoming a successful author nearly ended. She credits her husband, Wayne, for supporting her dream during difficult financial times.

Debbie Macomber married Wayne as a teenager. After marriage, she was a homemaker whose main duty was raising the couple’s four children. Her days were spent focusing on the children during the mornings and writing for two hours in the afternoon.

But the family struggled to make ends meet on Wayne’s income. At one point, the couple agreed it was necessary for Debbie to enter the workforce. She feared her employment options were limited. As a student, she couldn’t read until the age of 10 due to her dyslexia. She wasn’t sure what her qualifications were outside of raising a family and telling stories.

“I had no marketable skills. My educational background was limited, but times were tough. And it looked like Wayne wasn’t going to be able to make the truck payment, so I looked for a job,” she said.

Macomber found three potential jobs she would apply for. She knew entering the work force would likely result in the end of her dream of becoming a published author. She was so upset she couldn’t sleep the night before her job search.

“Wayne woke up and asked what was wrong,” she said. “I told him I really thought I could make it as writer. So he sat up and turned on the light and told me to go for it. That we’d make the  sacrifices for me to realize my dream.”

Macomber had worked on books for publication during the past 2.5 years without any success. The Macombers continued to struggle for another 2.5 years before her work began finding commercial success.

She began selling short pieces to magazines. A Woman’s Day article brought in $350 to the family. Macomber used the funds to go to a writing conference. She was one of 10 authors who had their worked reviewed by an editor.

“I had written four books and submitted my best one. But the editor told me ‘Forget it. You aren’t a writer’,” Macomber recalled.

She later sent a proposal to another publisher in hopes of generating interest in her book. After several weeks, she grew frustrated in not receiving a response and sent the manuscript anyway. Later that day, Macomber received a letter informing her the publisher wasn’t interested.

“Three weeks later the publisher called and bought the book,” Macomber said. “If I had waited a half hour later I never would have sent it. That is one of many times God has shown his influence in my life,” she said.

Macomber said her persistence is attributed to her faith in God and belief in her storytelling ability. Once she began publishing her novellas, Macomber used reader feedback to improve her work.

“Readers would write ‘I love you. I love your story, but wish there was more’,” she said.

She’d increase the novellas from 100 to 250 pages. The feedback resulted in her future books selling more copies.

Debbie Speed of Wiscasset is one of the author’s devoted fans. She was thrilled to meet one of her favorite writers at the Village.

“She is such a beautiful writer. Her stories are sincere and easy to read. And most of all, I love reading her love stories,” Speed said.

Macomber’s works have been adapted for television. Several of her Christmas stories were developed into movies on the Hallmark Channel. Her “Cedar Cove” novels became the Hallmark Channel’s first ever scripted dramatic series. “Cedar Cove” is now in its third season. The series is set in the fictional town of Cedar Cove, which is based on Macomber’s hometown of Port Orchard, Washington.

Macomber is a guest star in this season’s eighth episode. She has also developed a friendship with series star, actress Andie MacDowell. For season 2 and 3, MacDowell sent Debbie Macomber a floral arrangement in appreciation for her work.

“I love playing the part of Olivia. I thank God for you every day,” wrote MacDowell in a note, according to Debbie Macomber.