Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 36

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)

Don't let age discourage you from your publication dreams! 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.

Debbie: How did you get the idea for the book? How did you develop the idea?

Inspiration struck after a friend told me he gave wrapped presents to his dogs for the holidays. It sounded like a great idea for a children’s book. Using the zoo as the setting provided an opportunity for illustrations of many animals, but who would give them presents? A zoo keeper? Santa Claus? No, not them. I wanted a unique character, so I created an orangutan helper for Santa. Why an orangutan? Orangutans, also known as red apes, are intelligent, agile and strong enough to get the job done. They’re fun to look at, and Oranga Claus is a funny name.

As I developed the story, adding quirky humor and a surprise ending, my critique groups offered encouragement and suggestions. Thanks to them, an editor accepted my manuscript from the slush pile.

Debbie: How wonderful! And the illustrations are so fun.

Yes, cartoonist Stan Jaskiel ramped up the humor with his amazing illustrations. What child could resist opening a book displaying Oranga Claus, on his sleigh, with his team of zebras flying through the sky? Orangutans have also responded well. Nine out of ten recommend it. (One couldn’t read.)

Debbie: Heh. So what was the submission process like? Did you get any rejections before Pelican bought your story? 

Over the years, I wrote several picture books, all of which received rejections. AN ORANGUTAN’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS became the exception to the rule. A friend of mine knew an editor at a small company. She advised me to send my manuscript there, and the editor expressed an interest, but her company went out of business. I didn’t receive a contract, but I also didn’t receive a rejection. Fortunately, I discovered the Pelican Company has a series of “Night Before Christmas” books. I snail mailed my manuscript, and Nina Kooij, accepted it from the slush pile. She notified me by email, and I haven’t stopped smiling since.

Debbie: That's fantastic. What advice do you have for writers seeking publication?

So, if it’s your desire to be published, don’t let age stop you. Write every day. Get feedback from critique groups. If you’re interested in writing for children, join the SCBWI. Revise your work. Be patient. Don’t give up. Someday you’ll be published. I did it. So can you!

Thanks, Laura!

You can find out more about Laura Boldin-Fournier and her work at LauraBoldin.com and on Twitter at @LauraBoldin.

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From Debbie: Did you get your first children's book published by a traditional publishing house after the age of 50? I'd love to hear from you!

For more interviews (including Late Bloomer profiles), see my Inkygirl Interview Archive. 

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)

*****Added: Post a comment below or on Facebook to be entered in a book giveaway! (U.S. mailing addresses only, sorry)

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.

Kate Dopirak loves walking her puppy, watching her sons play sports, and convincing her husband to share a cheese plate instead of wings. She also loves to write for kids. Kate is a teacher, a reading specialist, and the Assistant Regional Advisor for Western Pennsylvania SCBWI. You can find Kate at KateDopirak.com, and on Twitter at @katedopirak. Kate was kind enough to answer Three Questions for me today.

But first, check out this cuuuuute book trailer:

YOU'RE MY BOO

Author: Kate Dopirak | Illustrator: Lesley Breen Withrow

Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster

Published Sept. 20, 2016

Excerpt from Kirkus Reviews:

". .with its meticulous scansion and playful affection, it subtly morphs into a story that is both a silly name litany (always popular with young readers) and a quietly reassuring statement of continual mischief-proof parental love. . .In the end, it’s the love between parent and child that carries the story. Boo-tiful."

Q. Could you please take a photo of something in your office and tell us the story behind it?

This is my puppy girl, Frankie.

She’s always with me when I’m writing. My husband and I thought she’d be good for our boys. She is. But I had no idea how crazy I’d be about her, too. I read everything I write aloud, and she’s a very good listener. When I tiptoe into the office to write before anyone else is awake, she’s right here with me. She’s here, too, no matter how late I work into the night. Best of all, she gives me an excuse to leave my office. We walk and walk, and solve many writing problems outside together. This girl is pure joy and love – emotions I work hard to show in my stories.

From Kate: "The cookies my mother-in-law, Jan Dopirak, brought to the YOU’RE MY BOO launch parties. 200 Boos! Wow and YUM!!!"

Q. What advice do you have for young writers?

I got rejected 144 times before Highlights High Five purchased my poem, Bathtub Soup. Rejection is part of the job. It’s also part of the reason I have a picture of a ballerina on my office wall. It motivates me to remember how much hard work is required to be a professional. Every time I see that beautiful ballerina, I think about her dedication and self-discipline. I also imagine what her naked feet must look like.

Q. What are you excited about right now?

I’m excited about my next book, SNUGGLE BUNNY (Cartwheel/Scholastic). Cori Doerrfeld’s illustrations make me extra hoppy. I’m also revved up about another picture book I have in the works with Beach Lane called TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE CAR. Mary Peterson’s art is Gold Cup-worthy!

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For more interviews, see my Inkygirl Interview Archive.

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.

My friend Michelle Leung, however, has gotten me hooked. This drove Jeff (my husband) a bit crazy, since he's been a huge fountain pen fan for ages but gave up years ago on trying to get me to use them. Michelle told us about Scriptus, a pen show in Toronto, and Jeff bought me a Lamy Safari.

LOVED IT! So smooth, easy to write. I bought several more. Michelle gave me others to try, like a Platinum Preppy and a Pilot Petit1. I went to WonderPens and bought a Kaweco Sport which I also really like. But now I'm finding some of the paper I've been using in the past isn't really good enough, makes the ink bleed too much, so I've bought some Rhodia notepads. And INKS! Oooooh, so many pretty inks to choose from.

And meanwhile, I'm using these fountain pens to doodle and write just for the fun of it. I've also started a sketch journal -- HOW I WISH I HAD STARTED THIS EARLIER. I'll post more about this later.

Meanwhie, though, I encourage you all to go out and make time to PLAY, no matter how busy you are. I find it essential in my own life. Making time to play helps fill the well, keeps me energized.