Mina Witteman – author | editor | teacher of creative writing

Posts from the “Children’s books” Category

Flexing the Writing Muscles: Character and Love

Posted on May 29, 2013

Another writing prompt. This one features character and love: have two characters sit on a bench and talk about love. Again from the amazing Writing Maps. I watch her from behind a wave of butterfly bushes. She sits on a bench tucked away in a corner of the park. Her hand taps a rhythm on the empty seat next to her. I draw in a breath and push away from the oak. I stare at my feet and how they hesitate, as I cross the nine steps that part us. “Hey, what’s up?” I ask. Her eyes rest on my face for a while, before she lowers her gaze to the joint in my hand. Her nostrils flare when the musty scent of burning…

Writing Prompts on Character

Posted on May 21, 2013

I am a big fan of the Writing Maps from Write Around Town. Nifty maps filled with writing prompts that force you to flex your writing muscles. A must-have for every writer, I think. Great exercises that keep the creative writing juices flowing. Last night I dove into the The Character Map. I read a prompt, thought about it for two seconds and started writing for 15 minutes. This is what the soundtrack prompt on The Character Map inspired me to write. Mind you, it’s a first draft and it should be considered a first draft. Nothing fancy, just a character exploration. He switched on the music without thinking. He didn’t have to, the score was on repeat anyway. There was a slight hitch…

Undiscovered Voices

Posted on April 30, 2013

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators British Isles will once again help fresh, new voices in children’s literature – both writers and illustrators! – find agents, publishers and ultimately readers through its Undiscovered Voices Anthology. I’m thrilled to announce that I will be joining the 2014 European committee aiding the competition from the Continental side. The anthology will present a selection of novel extracts from 5+ to Young Adult novels and a selection of children’s illustration pieces. They will be sent to art directors, agents and editors in the UK. From the three previous anthologies, 22 of the 36 selected authors have received publishing contracts for more than 70 books! To enter the contest, you must be a member in good standing…

Writing Challenge: Opening Line!

Posted on February 7, 2013

Tomorrow will be D-Day for me and my fellow students, my brothers-in-ink. If all goes well, we will be teachers creative writing from that day on, accredited by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. To honour our hard work over the past three semesters my colleagues and I now challenge YOU: Write an opening line for a story or a poem with or inspired by this picture and post it as a comment to this blog post. Captivate us in one single line. Can you do that? I bet you can! My colleagues and I will choose the best line. The writer of that line will be awarded The City of Inspiration and Writing People, two writing maps from the Write Around Town Map…

SCBWI Europolitan Conference in Paris

Posted on January 31, 2013

Some say it’s worth the detour, I’d say it’s worth the trip: the first SCBWI Europolitan Conference in Paris.   I know it’s worth the trip, because as the Regional Advisor of SCBWI The Netherlands I am one of the organizers of this amazing and inspiring conference for children’s book writers and illustrators. We bring you a conference packed with workshops, presentations and opportunities to share your work. Attend sessions that meet your interests, whether you’re published or unpublished, an illustrator and/or a writer. •    Work with our faculty in small groups to develop your craft •    Register for a professional critique to get individual advice on your projects •    Meet fellow members and potential critique partners •    Enter some friendly contests and get your…

DP: Toot Your Horn

Posted on January 16, 2013

That’s an interesting one: Toot Your Horn. At the Daily Post they figure that most of us are excellent at being self-deprecating, but not so good at the opposite. Tell us your favorite thing about yourself, is today’s prompt. Tooting my horn? That sounds a lot like the final assignment before graduation, early next month, when my colleagues and I can proudly state that we are accredited creative writing teachers. The assignment? Pitch yourself in no more than 100 words to let future clients know what you have to offer. So here it is… The Discovery of the Writer Students come to me with a writer’s dream. Hesitantly, because who dares to claim he is talented enough? I show them that craftsmanship and a…

Picture Poem

Posted on December 28, 2012

New Year