Comic: Grammar Kidfight

Turning a coffee stain into art: responses from artists to my #CoffeeStainChallenge + an art giveaway

As some of you already know, I am fond of doodling with coffee stains. I was first inspired by (lo and behold) an accidental coffee stain, whose shape spurred me to turn what was initially a random event into art. I recently posted about purposely creating a bunch of coffee stains as doodlefodder, and my friend Joyce Grant suggested I post one of them and challenge people to doodle with it. Here's the original coffee stain:

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The beautiful part of writing: you don't have to get it right the first time unlike, say, brain surgery. - Robert Cormier

I have to remind myself of this again and again as I'm working on my novel; my tendency has always been to over-edit as I write the first draft.

Feel free to download and print this Robert Cormier quote to post in your home, office, classroom or library!

For many more free, print-ready posters, bookmarks and other material related to writing and reading, see my For The Love Of Reading and Print-Ready Archives.

Advice for young writers, finding one's voice and CRUSHING IT: Three Questions Interview with Joanne Levy

I met Joanne Levy through the local Torkidlit group. I love her wry wit and also loved her middle grade, Small Medium At Large (Bloomsbury); you can see my interview with Joanne from a few years ago, where she talked about how she wrote the book, her work process and advice for aspiring authors. I'm loving her new book, CRUSHING IT, which debuts *today* from Aladdin/Simon & Schuster as part of their MIX series for tweens.

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I feel like this at least once every book project

Anyone else feel like this sometimes? I go through this at LEAST once every book project. The insecurity helps keep me humble and also motivates me to always keep learning and experimenting, to push myself to step out of my comfort zone. I try to write or doodle in my journal every day, and will sometimes share my entries publicly. If you're looking for extra motivation to start journalling, I encourage you to check out National Journal Writing Month, which encourages journal writing for personal growth but especially in Jan, April, July and Oct.

New Year's Comic For Writers

"I wrote things to get them out of feeling them, and onto paper. So writing in a way saved me, kept me company." R.I.P. Carrie Fisher: actor and writer

Above: my sketchbook journal entry yesterday. So sorry to hear about the passing of Carrie Fisher. My sister and I saw the original Star Wars (A New Hope) in the theatre together, and I remember being so inspired by the character of Princess Leia -- a princess who was a strong and independent thinker, sassy and courageous, who didn't count on a prince to find her happiness.

Most people recognize Carrie Fisher for her Princess Leia role in Star Wars role, but did you know she was also a writer?

New Year's Resolutions For Writers

Comic: Snowfamily nostalgia

Thanks to Pamela Ross for the caption!

Need a gift for a book lover, writer or illustrator but have a small budget? Give them some TIME.

Looking for a meaningful gift for a friend but don't have the cash? Consider giving them TIME to read, write or illustrate. Click the image above for a print-ready PDF or download the "Gift Of Time" gift certificate here.

Depending on your relationship with the recipient, you could offer to do dishes for a week, pick up the kids from school, x number of hours of running, grocery shopping, babysitting and so on. If your friend complains about not having time to read, combine this certificate with a book.

Some suggestions for presenting the gift:

- Slip the certificate into a white envelope and then decorate the envelope with holiday stickers, sparkles, doodles, etc.

- Roll up the certificate and tie a color ribbon around it. Present it as is, or wrapped in gold tissue paper.

- Combine the certificate with themed gift, like with some packaged soothing chamomile or mint tea, chocolates in a mug, or other "it's time to spoil yourself" items.

- Combine the certificate with one of your favorite books.

Enjoy!

For more free, print-ready goodies, see Debbie's Print-Ready Archives.

Found object doodle inspired by all the snow in Toronto right now

Perfect weather for cocooning instead.

Or....

seeing ROGUE ONE this afternoon, WOOHOOOOO! No spoilers, please!!! 

Comic: The Best Intentions

Late Bloomer Profile: Laura Boldin-Fournier and her debut picture book, AN ORANGUTAN'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Pelican Publishing)

It's never too late to get published! This month's Late Bloomer profile: Laura Boldin-Fournier, whose first chidren's book came out when she was 68 years old. AN ORANGUTAN'S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS debuted earlier this year from Pelican Publishing, and Laura was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.

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Comic: Holiday wish list for a busy writing parent

Advice For Young Writers, Office Dogs and Motivation: Three Questions With Kate Dopirak, author of YOU'RE MY BOO (Beach Lane Books)

Photo credit: Family Art Photography.

YOU'RE MY BOO by Kate Dopirak and Lesley Breen Withrow would make a wonderful holiday gift for a young reader. An ode to unconditional love, this reassuring and adorable story is like a hug in book form.

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Comic: Santa Wishlist (what would YOU wish for?)

Featured Author on 12 x 12: My advice on staying upbeat through difficult times, tips for pre-published illustrators and more

Thanks to Julie Foster Hedlund for featuring me on her 12 x 12 Picture Book blog this month! I talk about switching from my programmer/analyst career into the arts, Jeff Ridpath, how I taught myself skills that helped me become a children's book professional, how I approach illustrating other people's stories, how I know when an illustration is finished, how many drafts/sketches typically go into one completed illustration, if my illustration style has changed/evolved over the years, how I stay upbeat even through difficult times, advice for pre-published illustrators still working to develop portfolios and/or get an agent, what I'd choose if I could have only ONE dessert to eat the rest of my life, and more!

Win this tiny "I Love To Read" doodle!

I enjoy creating tiny doodles! This one is only 9 cm x 5.5 cm (about the size of a business card) and created with my new Platinum Preppy fountain pen with a fine point nib using a Carbon Black Ink cartridge, my Winsor & Newton portable watercolor set and a water brush.

You can enter this week's giveaway HERE.

Congrats to Janet Coburn, who won my Peppermint Tea Fish found object doodle last week!

Entries accepted until 11:59 pm on Sun. December 18th, 2016 and a randomly selected winner will be announced on Mon. Dec. 19th, 2016.. Click here for official contest rules.

My advice for writers & illustrators: Don't just focus on getting published. Enjoy the journey & make time to PLAY.

I've become obsessed with fountain pens. I used to dismiss them, having had some bad experiences with fountain pens leaking all over my hands with permanent black ink.

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How Books Get Translated: An Interview with Translator, Publisher and Author Lawrence Schimel

I've been grateful to Lawrence Schimel for his support and encouragement early in my career. We met online years before we finally met in person in NYC:

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