Comic: Backstory

In the end, it comes down to having a good story. No amount of promo/networking can substitute.

Free to print & download: Book recommendation bookmarks

As some of you already know, I've been gradually updating my For The Love Of Reading resource and Summer Reading Resource pages with free, print-ready activity sheets, posters, bookmarks and other resources.

Most recent addition: print-ready bookmarks (four to a page) that young people can use while they're reading as well as keep track of their recommendations. One is for books with an author AND illustrator; the other is for those with an author and no illustrator.

Click on any of the bookmarks below to get a free, print-ready PDF.

It's natural to feel brief envy of others' success but learn how to move on. Focus on your own journey at your own pace.

Develop a thick skin. Being able to take criticism is part of the business, before AND after publication.

Writers & illustrators: Develop a thick skin. Being able to take criticism is part of the business, before AND after publication.

Comic: Plot Crisis

Comic: The Rejection

Micropoem: Punctuation Rebel (for Day 12 of #AprPAD)

What’s with grammar drama?
Down w/ semicolon hate.
Who cares about a missing comma?
Let’s eat Grandma & celebrate! pic.twitter.com/8OcBc4fyqA

— Debbie Ridpath Ohi (@inkyelbows) April 13, 2016

Poem for writers about bad reviews

As I mentioned earlier, I'm having fun participating in Robert Lee Brewer's April Poem-A-Day Challenge. This poem was written in response to the topic "defence."

Let me condense my defence
against a bad review:
Chocolate, friends, a cup of tea,
a comfort book or two.#aprpad pic.twitter.com/extOEga1RB

— Debbie Ridpath Ohi (@inkyelbows) April 11, 2016

Comic: Poet Fame #NationalPoetryMonth

Happy National Poetry Month! 

I'm participating in Robert Lee Brewer's April Poem-A-Day Challenge, and have been posting some of my poems on Twitter at @inkyelbows and have also been posting some on my Poetry For Young Readers page.

Comic for other writers and illustrators working on their taxes right now

Comic: Bilbiophile Angst

THE DIABOLIC by S.J. Kincaid: Standalone, action-adventure thriller launching this Nov/2016

Wow, loved S.J. Kincaid's THE DIABOLIC so much. I strongly recommend this standalone action-adventure thriller, especially if you're a fan of Erin Bow's THE SCORPION RULES. Fantastic world-building and character relationships.

Click to read more ...

Productivity reminder: When online, DON'T FALL DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE.

Of course, this isn't based at all from my own experience.

Ahem.

Advice For Young Writers, Treadmill Desks and MISSION MUMBAI: Mahtab Narsimhan Answers Three Questions

Mahtab Narsimhan is the award-winning author of The Third Eye. Her realistic novel, The Tiffin, based on the dabbawallas of Mumbai, also received critical acclaim. Mission Mumbai and Looking for Lord Ganesh are coming out this year. Committed to diversity in her stories, Mahtab lives in Toronto with her husband, son, golden retriever, and far too many novel ideas. 

Click to read more ...

New comic: Zombie writers

Thanks to Traci Van Wagoner, who provided the winning caption for the challenge I recently posted in social media.

FIFTEEN LANES by S.J. Laidlaw (Tundra Books, launching April/2016)

Just finished FIFTEEN LANES by S.J. Laidlaw (a.k.a. Susan Laidlaw), which comes out from Tundra Books/Penguin Random House on April 5th, 2016.

An intense and compelling read, FIFTEEN LANES follows the lives of two teenage girls from very different backgrounds.

Click to read more ...

A comic for other writers and illustrators who go through self-doubt during the creative process

A comic for other writers and illustrators who go through self-doubt during the creative process.

Be aware when research & prep becomes a crutch. At some point, you need to jump in & WRITE.

Picture books create readers from the ground up. Don't rush children out of them.

"Picture books create readers from the ground up. Don't rush children out of them." - Jarrett J. Krosoczka.