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Inkygirl

Welcome to my blog (scroll down to see individual posts), which was originally on a separate site at Inkygirl.com. I also have a separate Inkygirl newsletter on Substack at debbieohi.substack.com.

Also see: Inkygirl interviewsResources


Advice on finding a writing or illustration mentor

I’ve been gradually updating my FAQ, including answering questions I’m frequently asked about getting into the business of writing and illustrating children’s books. Here’s the most recent update: Q. You’ve talked about having a writing and/or illustration mentor. Do you have any advice about how I can find my own mentor? Background . . .



Happy National Grammar Day!

In honor of National Grammar Day, here’s a Will Write For Chocolate strip from the archives: And thanks to Martha Brockenbrough for founding National Grammar Day!





Comic: If Cinderella Was A Writer

Thanks to A Mighty Girl for sharing one of my older comics on their FB page; I’ve noticed it’s already been shared around 1500 times! I also VERY MUCH appreciate A Mighty Girl including an illustration credit in the post text (thank you!), since the image being shared has my copyright info . . .



Judy Blume, Simon & Schuster Children’s, and MY BIG NEWS (Part 1)

 February 16, 2014 edit: Also see Part 2 of my Judy Blume news!!!! You can see the official cover reveal today in: but S&S gave me permission to post the other middle grade covers here as well. THOSE ARE MY ILLUSTRATIONS. ME. AND JUDY BLUME. Huge thanks to Justin Chanda for inviting me to . . .



Interview: Carmella Van Vleet on middle grade novels, publication, writer advice and ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG, FAT QUITTER (Holiday House, launches Feb. 14, 2014)

I met Carmella Van Vleet through MiGWriters, a wonderful critique group I discovered through the SCBWI message boards. Carmella is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of numerous hands-on science and history books, including Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself (Nomad Press). She loves lists, cooking shows, exclamation points, and taekwondo . . .





Productivity tip: Use AwayFind to stop checking email so often

I mentioned earlier that I’d be sharing any tips and tools I’ve been using to help me focus. One of the biggest discoveries I made last year is a service called AwayFind. I used to check email obsessively throughout the day. At first it was because I didn’t want to miss . . .