Debbie Ridpath Ohi writes and draws for young people. She is illustrator of I’M BORED by Michael Ian Black (Simon & Schuster Books For Children, Fall/2012) and has a short story in the upcoming teen fiction anthology TOMO (Stone Bridge Press, 2012). Her blog for kidlit/YA writers & illustrators: Inkygirl.com. Twitter: @inkyelbows.
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
68 comments
Comments feed for this article
November 7, 2011 at 1:30 am
Janet O'Neil
So fun! I love this!!!
November 7, 2011 at 2:06 am
Dana Carey
Fun stuff– your doodles! You make such a good point: just get it all down and then see where it might take you. Thanks, Debbie!
November 7, 2011 at 3:14 am
sabrina
Doodling is great !! I love sitting next to my 3 year old in the morning (or in the evening) drawing with her and then letting her explain to me what she drew (wise quote from Antoine de saint-exupéry: Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them ) — It’s a great way to get new picture book ideas !!
(Is it considered cheating if we use the ideas of our kids for our books ? 🙂 🙂
November 7, 2011 at 4:53 am
ecmoran
Love doodling and love the doodles! Thanks for sharing, Debbie! :D!
November 7, 2011 at 5:25 am
tinamcho
Very cute! I’ll try doodling my ideas, too!
November 7, 2011 at 5:34 am
Catherine Johnson
Brilliant! I love doodling but I don’t often try it with my pbs. Can’t wait to try this, thanks Debbie.
November 7, 2011 at 5:56 am
Renee LaTulippe
Add magic markers to shopping list. Check!
November 7, 2011 at 6:10 am
M. G. King
Everywhere I see you on the web (which is EVERYWHERE, it seems) you are just spilling over with creativity, creativity you are willing to share. Just looking at this notebook makes me want to sit down and doodle! Thanks, Debbie, you are truly an extraordinary voice in the industry.
November 7, 2011 at 6:19 am
Jeannie Brett
love this!
November 7, 2011 at 6:51 am
Brook Gideon
This is fun and super cute yet filled with great ideas! Thanks for sharing with us!
November 7, 2011 at 7:33 am
Megan K. Bickel
Cute! I’m totally trying this today!
November 7, 2011 at 7:34 am
Lori Mozdzierz
LOL!! Love stick figure w/note, “hosre? deer? stunted girafffe?”
Hmmm, maybe three story ideas from one doodle 😀
One of my ideas for PiBoIdMo came from a doodle I found filed from March 2008!
Other times I find great to doodle:
(1) when bored or problem solving and stuck for resolve
(2) during business meetings/seminars where speaker is long winded and you begin to hear “BLAH, BLAH, BLAH”
(3) on lengthy phone calls when person on the other end controls the convo
November 7, 2011 at 8:14 am
Sue Heavenrich
love this! Need to put some colored pencils in with my notebook too. Maybe a highlighter or three. And remember to think outside the lines….
November 7, 2011 at 8:14 am
Donna Martin
Very cute cover! Just looking at it makes me want to grab a pencil and start doodling! It also makes me wonder what gems are hiding behind that cool cover? ;0)
November 7, 2011 at 8:27 am
Robyn Campbell
Oh man! I’m doing this. So cool! It makes me feel like I have thousands of ideas just looking at the cover. Woot!
November 7, 2011 at 8:30 am
Lynn
What a great way to get your point across!
I’d never thought of doodling to get the creative juices flowing – my doodles are scarcely recognizable as anything other than scribbles, but it’s worth a try. 🙂 Thanks!
November 7, 2011 at 8:55 am
elizabethannewrites
Debbie, you ROCK! This is such a cool, fun, and obviously inspiring idea. Thank you!
November 7, 2011 at 8:57 am
Stacy S. Jensen (@StacySJensen)
I love this. I agree with Elizabethannewrites: You Rock!
November 7, 2011 at 9:00 am
Jennifer Estes
Love this, Debbie! I can’t draw to save my life, but occasionally produce a recognizable stick figure….you’ve inspired me to try to use the silliness of it to spark my creativity! (As long as I don’t have to show anyone the doodles…)
November 7, 2011 at 9:24 am
Jeanie Wogaman
I love this!
November 7, 2011 at 9:27 am
greg matusic
This is awesome, Debbie! Love the concept of adding creative visuals to a list of creative ideas. And in color too! 🙂
November 7, 2011 at 10:08 am
Tracey
I keep buying notebooks intending to have them be giant idea books (and have them look as nice and well-drawn as yours, Debbie), but somehow they always end up holding my grocery list. BUT!!! I am doing 30 comics this month over on my blog, so it’s kind of like PiBoIdMo, only more like ComIdMo (Comic Idea Month), and it’s not for serious, just for chuckles. 🙂
November 7, 2011 at 10:10 am
beckylevine
Love the Done Before–Several of my ideas have that feel, but I’m hanging onto them, hoping for ideas that will push them into the new and different story!
November 7, 2011 at 10:14 am
Shelli Cornleison
Creative post. I love it!
November 7, 2011 at 10:14 am
Cathy C. Hall
I’m a BIG believer in scribbling notes on just about anything–I use the backs of my page-a-day calendar to write my to-do list for the next day. And I have a gazillion Flair pens ’cause writing in color makes me happy. But I never considered doodling. Now I will. Thanks, Debbie Ridpath Ohi!
November 7, 2011 at 10:15 am
Deb Marshall
Oh Debbie…you rock! I used to do this all the time and somewhere along the line I just stopped. And boy oh boy, I want your notebook…no. really! lol. Looking forward to I’M BORED!
November 7, 2011 at 10:38 am
pascale mackey (@pascalemackey)
My notebook covers and inside pages end up looking like that too 😉
November 7, 2011 at 10:49 am
Penny Klostermann
Thanks, Debbie. I checked out your websites and found inspiration for today and beyond!
November 7, 2011 at 11:01 am
ddhearn
Great advice, Debbie. My first published book was inspired by a doodle that I drew when I wasn’t thinking about anything! You never know where a doodle will lead you.
November 7, 2011 at 11:13 am
Cindy Schrauben
Love, love, love this! This works for me as well – gets the creative juices flowing! Thanks for Sharing InkyGirl!
November 7, 2011 at 11:19 am
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Janet: Thanks!
Dana: I’m trying to take the same approach in my novel writing as well. Just get a really really rough version down FIRST and then edit.
Sabrina: That sounds like so much fun! Wish I could be a fly on the wall while you doodle with your 3-year-old. 😀
ECmoran: Thanks & you’re welcome!
tinamcho: Good luck, Tina!
Catherine: I’m finding doodling hugely helpful for pbs. Cecilia Yung (Penguin USA) told me that I need to turn off my writer’s hat sometimes & do a lot of drawing/doodling FIRST — then write the story.
Comments cont’d…
November 7, 2011 at 11:22 am
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Renee: heh, good luck!
MG: *blush* Thanks so much.
Jeannie: Thanks!
Brook: You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed my doodlepost. 🙂
Megan: Good luck! Please do comment on this post afterward and let me know how it went.
Lori: Ha! Good point (three story ideas from one doodle). Also, thanks for sharing those great ideas for finding times to doodle!
Sue: Thinking outside the lines is always a good thing.
Comments cont’d…
November 7, 2011 at 11:25 am
Janet
That is quite a note book cover! Sometimes being bored is good, it would be the perfect time to sit down and doodle and create.
November 7, 2011 at 11:25 am
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Donna: Thanks so much! 😀
Robyn: Good luck with the doodling!!! If you decide to do this, do post a comment here letting me know how it went. I’m going to check back in a while for any follow-up comments.
Lynn: ANYONE can doodle for ideas — doesn’t matter how “artistic” you consider yourself. Good luck!
Elizabeth: Heh, thanks! Glad you enjoyed this post.
Stacy: Thank you so much!
Jennifer: I am a huge believer in stick figures. Seriously. And you can do a LOT with them … just look at XKCD. Good luck! If you post any online, I’d love to see them. 🙂 (pls post a comment with the URL here) BUT I’d understand if you didn’t want to.
Greg: Thanks, Greg!
Comments cont’d…
November 7, 2011 at 11:30 am
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Tracey: But you can have a notebook with a grocery lists AND your doodle ideas. Especially if you’re carrying around that notebook all the time! You’re doing 3 comics this month? How very cool! Hm, just tried accessing http://www.traceybaptiste.com/ and couldn’t get through. Will try again later…
Becky L: Heh, I was wondering if anyone would notice the “Done Before.” That sort of thing happens to me all the time. But you have a good point, saying you hold onto to them in case they can be pushed into a new & different story. Thanks!
Shelli: Thanks, Shelli. 🙂
Cathy H.: I scribble on pretty much anything. My challenge: not losing all the little bits. Ooo, Flair pens? I must check those out. I’m an office supply addict, esp. pens.
Deb M.: Thank you!!! 😉
Pascale: Do you post any online? If so, would love to see — feel free to post another comment with a URL so others can see as well.
Comments cont’d…
November 7, 2011 at 11:31 am
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Penny: Aw, thanks so much!
Ddhearn: Ooo, do you still have that doodle? The one that inspired your first published book?
Cindy: You’re welcome, and thanks!
Janet: HA, good point (being bored sometimes leading to good things). 😀
November 7, 2011 at 11:42 am
Bonnie Adamson
Love it, Debbie–doodling is the pathway to creativity! 🙂
November 7, 2011 at 11:51 am
Wendy Greenley
I love “permission” to doodle! Thanks, Debbie. My only problem with past doodles has been that they’re so poorly drawn I can’t figure out what I meant when I go back and look at them later!
November 7, 2011 at 12:07 pm
patientdreamer
Debbie, this is a wonderful idea. I never thought of doodling to create and work ideas. Love the Note book… Thanks for the inspiration.
November 7, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Sarah C. Pilon
Great tips and ideas for a doodling notebook. Thanks a bunch! 🙂
November 7, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Kimberly Thompson Strickler
Love this!
November 7, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Maria Gianferrari
I’m not an artist by any means, but I’m struggling with a PB ending, and I’ll try the doodling approach–thanks for the suggestion! I never would have thought of it!
~Maria
November 7, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Bethany Telles
You know whay? You’re a GENIUS! I sincerely thought I was a nut-job for constructing my ideas like this (and really, you should SEE my onsane scribblings!), but you made it all make sense! I shall show this to all the people that think I am “A Beautiful Mind” material, and they’ll truly understand. THANK YOU!! Ahh… Now to doodle!
Love, your new numero uno fan!
November 7, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Kathy McKendry
Great idea. Love the thought of using markers I’ve always just used boring old blue/black ball point pens!
November 7, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Julie
So awesome! Great post Debbie!
November 7, 2011 at 3:45 pm
LadyInRead
cool! I love this.. I am starting my doodling notebook now.. and love the idea of making it colorful – that will just inspire me more..
November 7, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Jarm Del Boccio
What an original way to inspire us for the challenge…thanks for sharing your creativity with us, Debbie!
November 7, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Kerry Aradhya
How fun! I enjoyed reading every word…and admiring every doodle. Thanks for the inspiration!
November 7, 2011 at 5:29 pm
viviankirkfield
Another great idea is to keep a notepad and pen near the bed…some of my best ideas (not only for use in my writing) seem to pop into my head as I’m waking up or falling asleep…if you don’t jot these down, they revert back to the universe. The only problem is being able to decipher your own handwriting in the light of day!
When my kids were small, I carried a pad of paper and pack of crayons…if we had to sit in the car during a traffic jam, I would begin to tell a story and draw pics to go with it and then have the children tell the story back to me.
My to-do lists actually look like the doodle page 🙂 because after I make my list, I add to it as I remember more things I have to do.
November 7, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Kathleen Cornell Berman
Thanks for the post. Doodling can be a great way to visualize and create
characters. Doesn’t matter if you think you can’t draw. Doodling can sprout many new ideas.
November 7, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Jodi Moore
Brilliant! Doodling is not only fun and creative, but it really re-opens the doors to one’s childhood…who didn’t doodle as a kid? Thanks for the inspiration, Debbie! 🙂
November 7, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Loni Edwards
Busy day today so didn’t have time to check this out until now. Debbie, you are awesome! Your post in unique and fun. I enjoyed reading all of the little notes. And of course, my favorite thing was the blue bunny! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us and inspiring!
November 7, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Loni Edwards
*is* unique and fun that is !
November 7, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Marcy P.
Oh Debbie, that was GREAT! Thanks for that! I enjoyed it MUCH!
November 8, 2011 at 1:04 am
Lynn Anne Carol
Debbie i just visited your blog. I love it. Speaking of love it, the book illustration is adorable.
I’m bored. How often have I head that?
Thanks,
Lynn
November 8, 2011 at 1:14 am
Dorina Lazo Gilmore
This is so fun, Debbie, and a great reminder of how doodling and “thinking outside the lines” can help our creative minds!
November 8, 2011 at 6:20 am
Gary Masskin
What a brilliant way to present a blog post. Oh, and some great advice in there too 🙂
November 8, 2011 at 8:06 am
Tamson
REALLY good advice, and it looks pretty, too.
November 8, 2011 at 9:10 am
Betsy Devany
Great advice, and I can’t wait to read the I’m Bored book. Betsy
November 8, 2011 at 10:48 am
Linda Lodding
But beware! Sometime doodling can be a bit dangerous! http://www.amazon.com/Doodleday-Ross-Collins/dp/080751683X
November 8, 2011 at 12:47 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
Awesome! Cool! Excellent! (A.C.E.) You’re an A.C.E.! Very creative!
🙂
November 8, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Joanna
This is fab. I brainstorm WHEN I have an idea. Need to learn to do it more regularly, Thanks, Debbie!
November 8, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Jodi Sousek
This is such a fun thought and idea rolled into one. I used to do thismuch more when I was in college, and when I come across those old doodle stories finished or unfinished I always can tell exactly where I was going with it! Thanks.
Jodi
November 10, 2011 at 1:38 am
sketched out
Doodle with abandon! Love. It! Perfect way to get your points across. I, for one, really respond to visual cues. So I was thrilled to take a peek at your sketchbook o’ advice. Thanks so much for a great, inspirational post!
November 11, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Beth MacKinney
Absolutely perfect! Love it!
November 12, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Doodling makes much more sense to me than outlining. Thanks for the inspiration. I’ll be buying a small notebook for myself soon.
November 20, 2011 at 10:01 am
Cathy Cronin
Love your cover. Beautiful!
December 6, 2011 at 9:08 am
julesmae
The trick really is making time each day for it, isn’t it? I have two small idea sketch books – one beside my bed, and one I carry in my purse. I try to draw or write something in them each day, but it doesn’t always happen that way. Great post. 🙂