(Photo by Ray Vankleef.)
Debbie Ridpath Ohi is a freelance writer and illustrator who writes books for young people. In addition to her nonfiction book, THE WRITER'S ONLINE MARKETPLACE (published by Writer's Digest Books), she has also published short articles, stories and poems in both print and online venues. She writes a daily publishing news column for Writersmarket.com and posts comics and info for writers in her blog, INKYGIRL.COM: Daily Diversions For Writers.
I found Debbie when I signed up for NaNoWriMo in 2005. She had posted comics at the NaNo website, and that led me to her websites: Inkygirl and Will Right for Chocolate (what a great name). I visit her Inkygirl blog every day and post her comics here from time to time. She’s one of my favorite comic artists.
You can find her at INKYGIRL: Daily Diversions For Writers and on Twitter: @inkyelbows
MG: When did you know you wanted to write?
DRO: I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. Sounds cliched, but it's true. I wrote my first book when I was in second grade. It was called The Secret Staircase and even had CHAPTERS. I remember being so proud because I used the word "horrendous." Sadly, I misspelled it.
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
DRO: I write every day. In the mornings, I research publishing news online for my daily column for Writersmarket.com as well as follow up on client mail.. I usually end up starting my fiction writing around 10:30 or 11 a.m.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
DRO: Right now, I'm finishing up a graphic novel script and starting a middle grade mystery-fantasy.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
DRO: I have no formal training as an illustrator but I've been doing more of it in recent years, for fun and for pay. I post a lot of writing-related cartoons in Inkygirl.com, my blog for writers.
I'm also a hobby musician and songwriter, writing for and performing with a music group called Urban Tapestry (urbantapestry.org). We had several albums out now and have performed in Canada, U.S., England and Germany. We're going to be Guests of Honor at the Ohio Valley Filk Fest next October! (ovff.org)
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
DRO: I especially love MG and YA science fiction and fantasy, but enjoy pretty much all genres in children's/YA lit. Don't make me choose a favourite author! That's too hard.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
DRO: Another hard question! I'm gradually read through MAKING A LITERARY LIFE: Advice For Writer and Other Dreamers by Carolyn See right now and really enjoying it. Also gradually working through Sol Stein's ON WRITING. But I also loved Natalie Goldberg's WRITING DOWN THE BONES and Anne Lamott's BIRD BY BIRD. Okay, I named four instead of two. I'll let YOU decide which two to edit out!
MG: If you could visit only two writing blogs, what would they be?
DRO: Impossible to decide! If time's of the essence, then I'd visit ONE site -- NetNewsWire, where I can quickly scan the headlines of all the writing blogs I enjoy. :-)
MG: Why did you decide to pursue publishing?
DRO: I've always wanted to be a writer, for as long as I can remember. At first I was satisfied with publishing just for my family or my teacher when I was little. My decision was also inextricably tied up with my love of reading books for young people. Different books made me laugh out loud, or weep uncontrollably. Some books inspired while others helped me cope with difficult situations in my own childhood. I wanted my writing to touch readers in the same way.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
DRO: Getting over my natural shyness and insecurity to get OUT there and promote myself and my writing. Now, I have fun with it. In the beginning, it was agony.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
DRO: Always work on improving your craft, no matter how good you think you are. Don't neglect the craft for the business.
MG: Thanks for taking the time to visit with us.
DRO: Thanks so much for interviewing me!
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