Trying very hard NOT to be like the writer in my comic as I work on a first rough draft. My tendency has been to edit as I write. Some writers can do this successfully but it always keeps me from finishing, deciding it's not good enough. I WILL FINISH THIS DRAFT. @work.debbieohi.com #WriterSky

UPDATE for those who missed earlier news: I'm taking a break from picture books to go back to my original career goal of becoming a published middle grade author. See my Perseverance post. cont'd

Wrote a longer post about gratitude, @jpchanda.bsky.social, and embracing my next career challenge: www.instagram.com/p/DLh5JJBuggH/ #Gratitude #KidLit

Just heard back from my editor at Simon & Schuster Children's, and he loves my writing samples for my MG novel! 🎉🥳 He already approved my detailed synopsis. He's asked me to send him a rough draft, to NOT worry about finessing (I can revise later). See @work.debbieohi.com for earlier updates.

I'm about 1/4 way thru fast-drafting my rewritten MG novel. So happy to be able to finally include evil SQUIRRELS in a book, woohoo!!! It's been heavily revamped since earlier versions but is still a spooky MG with Japanese yokai. Follow @work.debbieohi.com for updates or debbieohi.com/newsletter/

I'm using my @work.debbieohi.com acct for work-related updates. I promise NOT to post daily wordcount updates etc. 😜 Will aim for a post a week, I think, & will try to include tools/resources I am finding useful. If you're interested in what I'm working on, I encourage you to turn on notifications.

Wrote 1039 wds today, also outlined next scene. Resisting the urge to revise as I write (as is my tendency). Also not worrying about voice or details. This first draft is going to be SUPER ugly but my goal is to have the bones in place asap, based on the detailed synopsis that my editor approved!

Diving into my MG rewrite starting TODAY! Much easier, now that I have a detailed synopsis that's been approved by my editor. Wrote 1200 wds earlier this morning. Fast-drafting (using a lot of placeholders & not worrying about voice), will revise in next pass. Editor has asked for a rough draft.

Detailed MG synopsis of my proposed rewrite APPROVED by my editor, woohoo! Current goal: To get my MG into good enough shape to warrant a contract. For those wondering about the context of the above, see my @work.debbieohi.com feed for updates.

Wrote a longer post about gratitude, @jpchanda.bsky.social, and embracing my next career challenge: www.instagram.com/p/DLh5JJBuggH/ #Gratitude #KidLit

Holy cow. My editor has already responded and is interested in helping provide guidance as I revise (!!!!). Feeling incredibly lucky, grateful and (this is a biggie) FULL OF HOPE.

Whew. I just sent out my middle grade book proposal to my editor @jpchanda.bsky.social at @simonkids.bsky.social. I AM BOTH TERRIFIED AND EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME.

Woohoo, finally finished a draft of my detailed synopsis of my MG! Now I'm working on the synopsis for a different MG I've been working on. Very different types of stories, but I really love both ideas & am torn. Sending both to my editor at Simon & Schuster to see which he likes most. 🤞🏽

This is the first time since 2011 that I've had no book contract in the wings. This is on purpose. After much angsting, I've decided to take a break from picture books so I can focus on writing middle grade. I'm both terrified and exhilarated. PLEASE WISH ME LUCK. #KidLit

My go-to fountain pen is still my Pilot Falcon with a Soft Fine nib. The flex nib enables me to get a slight variable line width, and the pen is a reliable starter (e.g. even if I don't use it for weeks but pick it up, it still writes with no problem). I just wish it had a bigger ink capacity.

I resisted for a while, but I've been lured to the side of Team #OxfordComma.

So much is about learning how to really LISTEN. #FoundObjectArt

This week is first in a long time where my creative work focus is solely WRITING books for young people (current: a spooky middle grade), have no contracted deadlines, don't feel pressured to be actively promoting a just-released book, and I am not travelling. Enjoying this moment while it lasts.

Woohoo! Just handed in final art for I'M BUSY, a new picture book written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social & illustrated by yours truly!!! Can't wait until our book (newest in the I'M series) launches Feb.24/2026. www.simonandschuster.com/series/The-I... #ImBusy #KidLit @simonkids.bsky.social

Comic: First Things First. #DebbieOhiComics

Hi! This is my work-only broadcast feed about what I'm working on RIGHT NOW. Experimenting with using this Bluesky instead of a regular email newsletter. If you're looking for my *main* EVERYTHING acct where I post #BlueSkyTips etc, see @debbieohi.com. Special thanks to those who follow both!

My Simon & Schuster Children's editor just responded to my recent post vowing to send him something by the end of June. ❤️ NOW I REALLY HAVE TO DO IT. #Accountability #KidLit

Gradually moving into WRITING mode, as I wait for feedback on final art for a picture book. Current project: novel for young people. Spooky elements, Japanese yokai, *heavily* revamped from previous. Starting every morning with writing. A bit rusty (so much of past decade has been art) cont'd

While I wait for feedback on final art for I'M BUSY (there will be at least one more round of art, but hopefully just minor tweaks), I'm ramping up prep for my shift into novel writing! Super excited about this.

Woohoo! Handed in final art for I'M BUSY, the newest in the I'M... picture books written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and illustrated by me. Cover not yet public. There will likely be a few more tweaks, but the bulk of the art is done. 🎨🥳 #KidLit

Working on final art for I'M BUSY. Cover finished/approved, but not public yet.

Hi! This is my work-only feed where I not only post JUST news & updates about what I'm working on, but where I also post comics, art, & art expts that are NOT necessarily kidlit-focused. If you're looking for my main EVERYTHING acct where I post #BlueSkyTips etc, see @debbieohi.com.

Haven't posted a work update in a while! Here's what I'm mainly working on these days: - Tax docs prep (ugh). Bad experience with a freelance bookkeeper last yr convinced me I *finally* need to learn to do my own bookkeeping. Big learning curve for me. - Final art for I'M BUSY for S&S.

Another Procreate animation I did several yrs ago, sent to a young friend of who was pursuing sound engineering as a career. #Animation #Procreate

Playing around with adding sound effects to an animation I created on my iPad (Procreate). I still haven't had time to learn Procreate Dreams yet. #Animation #Procreate #CreepyCute #DarkerArt

You never know what will come out of a broken crayon. #BrokenCrayon #FoundObjectArt #Beavers #KidLitArt

Early experiment with paper collage, from my archives. #Collage #PaperCollage

Broccoli romance. #FoundObjectArt #FoodArt

At some point, you just have to let go. #FoundObjectArt

Radish bird. #FoundObjectArt #BirdSky #FoodArt

"And then she opened the book..." Created with Procreate. #Animation #Procreate #Reading

Punctuation breakup. #DebbieOhiComics

Valentine's rejection. #DebbieOhiComic #ValentinesDay

Radicchio smile. #FoundObjectArt I only learned recently I've been mispronouncing "radicchio" incorrectly in my head all my life.

Punctuation nerd rejection. #DebbieOhiComics

One reason I created this separate account is so I could post pieces like this one without having people ask me if I'm feeling ok. 💙 Going to use #DarkerArt tag as a way of categorizing this kind of art when I share, to make it easier for me (or others) to find/browse later.

A comic for fellow punctuation nerds. #DebbieOhiComics #Punctuation

A comic for fellow font nerds. #DebbieOhiComics #Fonts

Blueberry bicycle. #FoundObjectArt #bicycles

Hi! This is my work-only feed where I not only post JUST news & updates about what I'm working on, but where I also post comics, art, & art expts that are NOT necessarily kidlit-focused. If you're looking for my main EVERYTHING acct where I post #BlueSkyTips etc, see @debbieohi.com.

One of the reasons I created this "work-only" Bluesky acct is so I could collect some of the art and comics that may not be as mainstream or have as much kidlit appeal, but of which I am personally fond. 😁 #DebbieOhiComics

A #CreativeCollab with @rebeccaupjohn.bsky.social. Thanks to Rebecca for letting me vandalize her photo 8 months ago! #FoundObjectArt

Creative collab with my friend @claudiaosmond.bsky.social. 🎨💙 #CreativeCollab

Death & The Writer. #DebbieOhiComics #WriterSky

The Choice. #DebbieOhiComics #BookSky