Cartoon of two people sitting at a table holding mugs. One says, “Sorry to hear about you and Kevin.” The other replies, “I knew it was over when he returned my book with a coffee stain on the cover.” By Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

I confess I never lend out books that are precious to me (signed, special edition, etc). Don't mind lending out other books, but always assume that I won't get them back in the same condition, if at all.

POLL: Do *you* lend out your print books? #CommunityPoll #WriterSky #DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of a sad, round-headed stick figure in a blue tunic holding a letter and an envelope. Above the figure, typed text reads: “Dear Sam, Thank you for your recent submission. However, I regret that your Valentine is not suited to my current needs. Sincerely, Linda,” with “Linda” written in blue script with a small heart. © Debbie Ridpath Ohi – DebbieOhi.com appears at the bottom.

Valentines Rejection. 🩷😁

#WriterSky #ValentinesDay #DebbieOhiComics

Three-panel comic in loose gray line art. A person slumps over a desk, head in one hand, writing, while an off-panel voice says: “Will you stop stressing? Every writer gets blocked sometimes.” In the next panel the voice adds, “Besides, it’s only the beginning of the year! You have lots of time. What are you working on right now, anyway?” and in the final panel the person replies, “My New Year’s resolutions.” Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Writer's New Year Resolutions.

#DebbieOhiComics

Four-panel cartoon titled “New Year’s Resolutions for Writers.” Panels read: “Unrealistic: Write a bestseller,” “Well-meaning: Stop misusing apostrophes,” “Overly optimistic,” showing crossed-out word-count goals, and “Repentant: Never ever overreact to a bad review again,” with a small “sigh.” Each panel shows a different person seated at a desk, writing. Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

New Year's Resolutions For Writers.

#DebbieOhiComics

Comic showing a turkey typing on a laptop. He says "Dangit! I'm going to finish this novel if it's the last thing I do." One of two turkeys in the background says, "Well, you have until this weekend, anyway." The other whispers to him, "Shh, I haven't told him about that yet." The turkey writer says, "Huh? Why? What's happening this weekend?" Comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Turkey writers.

#DebbieOhiComics #Thanksgiving

Cartoon by Debbie Ridpath Ohi shows a woman holding papers speaking to a man lounging in a chair while a cat scratches the side of the chair. The woman says, “I thought you had a writing deadline this afternoon.” The man replies, “Yes, but daylight saving time means I have a whole extra hour to procrastinate!”

A daylight saving time comic for writers. 😉

#DebbieOhiComics #DaylightSavingTime #Uplift

Cartoon of a man in a turtleneck drinking wine and a woman holding a glass. Man says, “I think I’m going to write children’s books. Thought I’d start with something easy, like a picture book.” Woman replies, “I think I’m going to be a cage fighter. Thought I’d start with something easy, like a guy in a turtleneck.” Text at bottom: ©Debbie Ridpath Ohi (DebbieOhi.com) & Catherine Bailey (CatherineBaileyBooks.com).

Comic inspired by (too many) encounters with those who think writing/illustrating children's picture books are a stepping stone to writing/illustrating REAL books. Thanks to Catherine Bailey for the caption! #KidLitChat #LibrarySky #DebbieOhiComics

Comic showing two people sitting with beverages at a small round table. Caption: “I was willing to overlook his comma abuse, but when he started misplacing his apostrophes, I knew it was over.” Text at bottom: ©Debbie Ridpath Ohi – DebbieOhi.com.

Punctuation breakup.

#DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of two meeples on a spaceship bridge, one blue and one yellow, wearing Star Trek-style uniforms. The yellow meeple says, “Set course for home; we’ve run out of red meeples again.”

A #StarTrekDay comic for my fellow board gamers. Thanks to Rick Weckerman for the caption! Originally posted on @boardgamegeek.com.

#BoardGames #DebbieOhiComics

Four-panel comic titled "First Things First" by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. A character lists all their book promotion efforts: setting up social media accounts, compiling media contacts, and planning a blog tour. In the third panel, another character asks, “Finished writing the book yet?” The final panel shows the first character blushing and saying, “Darn. I knew I was forgetting something.”

First things first.

#WriterSky #DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of a group of lemmings sitting in a circle under a sign that says “Lemming Writer’s Critique Group.” One lemming says, “That’s a great poem, Mike!” Another says, “I think so, too!” The rest all say, “Me too!” Caption at the bottom: “You know what they say: when you have lemmings, make lemming aid…”

Lemming writers' critique group.

#WriterSky #DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of a man sitting beside a box labeled “Scarlet Letters For Sale,” filled with large red letters. A woman in Puritan clothing hands back a scarlet “A” while saying, “I’d like to exchange this for another letter, please. This one just isn’t working out for me.”

Scarlet Letter exchange.

#DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of an octopus underwater typing on multiple laptops at once. Two fish swim nearby, and one says, "Man, I'd give my right fin to be able to write as fast as Owen." Comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Octopus writer.

#DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of the figure that looks like a hooded Grim Reaper with a scythe and also holding a sign that says "Plot for Sale." An older man leans over a hole in the ground while the Grim Reaper watches. Caption reads: "Yes, I'm fine with a twist ending...but does the denouement satisfy?"

Plot for sale.

#DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon of people sitting in a circle at a meeting. One says, “…and then she called me a drama queen!!!!! Can you believe it??!!!!?” Another responds, “How insensitive!!!!” A third says, “I’m totally with you!!!!!” and another adds, “I’ve tried using semicolons instead, but it just isn’t the same!!!!!!” A sign nearby reads, “Punctuation Misuse Support Center – Exclamation Mark Group!! Wednesdays 7–8 pm.” Artwork by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

I know there is a place in this group for me!!!!!

#Punctuation #DebbieOhiComics

Comic with two characters, one with short brown hair and one with long blond hair. First panel: Brown-haired person says, “Wow, your place looks great!” Second panel: Blond-haired person replies, “Thanks. Care for a homemade biscotti?” Third panel: Brown-haired person says, “Of course. Say, are those curtains new?” Fourth panel: Blond-haired person answers, “Yep. Made them yesterday.” Fifth panel: Both characters are silent, holding mugs. Sixth panel: Brown-haired person asks, “Writer’s block?” and the blond-haired person, now crying, says, “Got it so bad…” Credit at the bottom: Debbie Ridpath Ohi – DebbieOhi.com.

Writer's Block Biscotti.

#DebbieOhiComics #WriterSky

Cartoon of a princess in a purple gown and crown kneeling beside a frog sitting near a pond. The princess says, “Ok, ok, you drive a hard bargain. You get a $700k advance plus 40% royalties and final approval of your book cover. Now KISS ME, will ya?” Text at the bottom credits Debbie Ridpath Ohi and DebbieOhi.com.

The Princess and The Frog, revisited.

#DebbieOhiComics

Cartoon shows a woman walking away from a confused man. She says, "I’m sorry, Chad, but I could never date someone who abuses quotation marks the way you do." The man replies, "What do you 'mean'?" Cartoon by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Apostrophe Break-up.

#DebbieOhiComics #Punctuation

Cartoon titled “Writers on Vacation” shows three women lounging on a beach. Each is thinking writer-related thoughts. Left: a woman in a sunhat reading a book thinks, “This writing is terrible. How did my novel get rejected while trash like THIS gets published?” Middle: a woman with curly hair drinking a cocktail thinks, “See? Lisa was wrong. Writers CAN relax. Can’t wait to post about this.” Right: a woman in sunglasses thinks, “What a gorgeous day! Love the feel of the sun on my face. Skin. Botox. That’s it! My heroine’s aunt is injected with an experimental neurotoxin in her sleep. Geez, I wish I had my laptop right now.” Cartoon by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Writers On Vacation.

#WriterSky #DebbieOhiComics

Thoughtful use of hashtags (see my first post in thread) can be a SUPER useful way for creatives to showcase diff types of work/content.

Example: Those interested in seeing my comics, for example, can click on #DebbieOhiComics. If I wanted to showcase those, I could include it in my profile etc.

Four-panel comic titled "First Things First" by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. A character lists all their book promotion efforts: setting up social media accounts, compiling media contacts, and planning a blog tour. In the third panel, another character asks, “Finished writing the book yet?” The final panel shows the first character blushing and saying, “Darn. I knew I was forgetting something.”

Comic: First Things First.

#DebbieOhiComics

A four-panel comic strip titled "You May Be Luckier Than You Think" depicting various insecurities of writers and illustrators. In the first panel, a person with long dark hair worries about not getting published and envies published authors. In the second, a person with short curly hair frets over potential bad reviews and envies bestsellers. The third panel shows a person with tight curls concerned about their second book's sales compared to their first, envying established authors. In the last panel, a person with lighter hair worries about readers losing interest and envies new talent. Each panel illustrates the grass-is-greener mentality, with the characters expressing envy towards others in their field. The artist's signature, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, is visible at the bottom.

It can be hard to NOT to compare yourself w/others, esp when browsing social media. To avoid getting sucked into that self-destructive rabbit hole, I try hard to focus on enjoying my own journey at my own pace. My advice? Find your own joy. You may be luckier than you think. #DebbieOhiComics #KidLit

Cartoon illustration of two skeleton-like zombies standing on a grassy hill against a blue sky. The male zombie, dressed in a suit, is offering a realistic-looking human heart with a ribbon tied around it to the female zombie, who wears a tattered pink dress. He says, "It's gluten-free." Artwork by Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Derek Mah, ©2013.

Zombie Valentine. Thanks to @derekmah.bsky.social for the caption!

#DebbieOhiComics #ValentinesDay

Two people sitting at a table with drinks. One to the other: "You over-use exclamation marks!" he told me! And then walked out!!! Can you believe it?!!!??!!!"

Punctuation breakup.
#DebbieOhiComics

Comic showing one figure rejecting a stricken-looking figure's offer of a diamond ring. Caption reads, "I'm sorry, Kevin, but I could never marry someone who dangles his modifiers as recklessly as you do." Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Punctuation nerd rejection.
#DebbieOhiComics

A cartoon shows a support group meeting at the "Punctuation Misuse Support Center." The group leader says, "I've tried using semicolons instead, but it just isn't the same!!" A member replies, "...And then she called me a drama queen!! Can you believe it?!!?" Another adds, "How insensitive!!" while another says, "I'm totally with you!!!!!" A sign reads, "Exclamation Mark Group!! Wednesdays 7-8 pm." The characters sit in a circle, emphasizing exaggerated use of exclamation marks in their dialogue.

A comic for fellow punctuation nerds.
#DebbieOhiComics #Punctuation

Comic showing three people seated at wedding-type guest table. Two are laughing, one looks miserable. Person 1: "Papyrus? So nineties. Next thing you'll be telling me he likes Comic Sans!" Person 2: "Can you believe Roger chose PAPYRUS as his header font?" Person 3 thought bubble: "Great. I got stuck at the font nerd table AGAIN. Sigh." Comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

A comic for fellow font nerds.
#DebbieOhiComics #Fonts

Comic shows people looking above and below a table, looking puzzled. Caption reads: "Despite an intensive search, no one at the party was able to find Marcy's misplaced semicolon." Comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

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 cartoon shows the Grim Reaper at a table with a beer, casually telling a nervous human: "The editor said no one would read my life story. So I said, ‘How about a murder mystery?’ He asked, ‘What kind of murder?’ …So I showed him." The Reaper rests on one hand, scythe nearby, while the human sweats nervously. Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Death & The Writer.
#DebbieOhiComics #WriterSky

Comic showing two figures with drinks. One looks miserable. Miserable figure is saying, "So how was I supposed to know she'd take me seriously when I said there wasn't enough room in her house for both me and all her stupid books?" Comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. #DebbieOhiComics

The Choice. #DebbieOhiComics #BookSky