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Why I’m on Bluesky (and my personal take on social media for the kidlit community right now)

(Last updated November 18, 2023 – I’m now at https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com; here’s how and why I converted to a custom domain Bluesky handle. Also, Bluesky now has PUBLIC LISTS, woohoo!) Shortform link to this page: https://debbieohi.link/social2023 QUICK NAVIGATION: Debbie’s Bluesky Lists – list of Debbie’s Custom Feeds on Bluesky – Beginner . . .



Misconceptions about writing picture books: why short does NOT mean easy

NOTE: This is an updated version of a post I made a while back. For those illustrate as well as write, you’re welcome to download and print my free picture book thumbnail templates. So many people think that short = easy, especially when it comes to picture books. And while yes, . . .



My Thoughts: Social Media For Kidlit Book Creators in 2023

(Last updated January 1, 2023) [EDIT: I am no longer active on Post.news. Ongoing tech issues and a changing user profile format (you’ll notice that none of my Post profile links in this article work anymore) discouraged me, but it was mainly the negativity that turned me off – the . . .




Comic: Old School Writing

Starting to revamp some of my old Will Write For Chocolate comics so I’m not so embarrassed about sharing them anymore. Also was thinking of this particular strip because I do still find that writing by hand can be a great way to free up part of my writer brain, . . .





“You must write every single day of your life…” – Ray Bradbury

I’m up to 51,000 words in the first draft of my middle grade! In the home stretch now. If you’re confused about why I’m talking about writing middle grade and not picture books, please see my Perseverance post. Using Linda Sue Park’s #12minutes first-drafting method helped me get going, as . . .



Rejection Stories & Advice From Published Kidlit/YA Creators

Ah, rejections. It’s part of the business, before and after publication. If you’d like to get straight to the poll results, feel free to browse the original Twitter thread about writer rejections. As someone who has received many rejections over the years, I am well acquainted. In the years I . . .



Linda Sue Park’s #12minutes writing routine for first drafts

To those who never have problems writing the first drafts of their novels, you can skip this post. For others like me who sometimes find it a challenge (especially during the past couple of years) getting that first draft down, I highly recommend Linda Sue Park’s 12-minute Pomodoro routine. I . . .