Mina Witteman – author | editor | teacher of creative writing

Posts tagged “Mina Witteman

Daily Distraction: Illustwriter – Writing Picture Books for Illustrators

Posted on November 20, 2014

We have a new writers workshop scheduled in Amsterdam: writing picture books for illustrators. But writers who would like to hone their picture book story telling craft are most welcome, too! What’s it all about? You are a fine artist, and you illustrations for children are just what they like. But building those into a picture book – that’s a different story. You may tell yourself you don’t want to be like those writers who try and draw their own characters, which may turn out quite awful. But deep down, you’d like to do a book all by yourself. Why not give it a try? Get help from two experienced children’s book writers and editors. What do you know about different age groups? What…

Daily Distraction: Book Presentation Mia’s Nest

Posted on October 18, 2014

Presentatie Kinderboekwinkel

Daily Distraction: Mia’s nest is out!

Posted on September 21, 2014

Mia’s nest is out! Mia’s nest is a Dutch Little Golden Book about a girl with tangles in her hair. When her mom decides it’s time to have Mia’s hair cut short, she needs to find a way to prevent that. Because short hair is silly, short hair is for boys and boys are silly. Will anyone help Mia to keep her hair long? Find out in Mia’s nest! The story idea and illustrations for this wonderful and sweet Little Golden Book are from the amazing, talented Angela Pelaez Vargas. I added the words and I am beyond proud that Angela let me share in this delightful project of hers. We will see more of her soon, as she is one of the most talented illustrators…

Daily Distraction: DARK FIBER – a serial thriller, episode 5

Posted on June 25, 2014

“You go ahead to the hotel. I’ll get him to bed,” Matt said. He lugged the man from the black car, bumped the door shut and patted on the roof. Only when the Uber rounded the corner, Matt searched the man’s pockets for keys. The air inside the ground floor apartment was saturated with lingering smells that hit his nose like a bowl of overcooked Brussels sprouts. Matt lodged the man into the couch and quickly searched the place. Furniture was sparse and what was around was worn. Paint peeled off the woodwork, whitewashed walls were smudged. It was no more than two small rooms and an open plan kitchen and it breathed the atmosphere of poverty and neglect. The bedroom held a wardrobe, a mattress on the…

Daily Distraction: DARK FIBER – a serial thriller, episode 4

Posted on June 24, 2014

It was past midnight when the bartender shouted something and started cleaning the bar. People emptied their glasses, paid their tabs and left. “Closing time,” Matt said. He pushed his chair back and got up, watching the man, who lolled against the window. He’d been asleep for the last hour or so, but no one had seemed to bother. “Thank God,” Victoria said. “This is worse than a fucking red-eye. I so need a drink. A real one.” She pushed her half-empty glass away from her, gathered her things and stuffed them in her handbag. “Go order a cab and wait outside. I’ll pay and see what happens to him.” Matt watched the snoring man from the corner of his eye. A drop of saliva trickled…

Daily Distraction: DARK FIBER – a serial thriller, episode 3

Posted on June 23, 2014

The bar was small, busy and dark, as if someone had switched off the sun. Guests hung around the wooden counter, obstructing the way for those who wanted to go the higher seating area in the back. The man wormed his way to the counter. Holding the copper railing with one hand, he raised the other to signal the bartender. The bartender acknowledge him with the slightest nod and drew him a beer. “Jonathan,” he said and then something more, in Dutch, with lots of harsh g’s, before he ripped off a sheet from a small notebook and jotted something down. He placed the tab in between a dozen others on the counter. Matt pushed Victoria past the heat and stench of people and beer, and past the man,…

Daily Distraction: DARK FIBER – a serial thriller, episode 2

Posted on June 22, 2014

Matt followed her nod with his gaze, to the man who trudged his way through the shoppers. Every now and again he looked up and when he did Matt caught a glance of his eyes. The cold shiver turned into an electrical surge that opened his throat and windpipe. As if he looked in a mirror before he’d put on the gray lenses. He stepped back into a shop’s portico, but pushed Victoria towards the man. “Do your magic,” he said softly. “Make it happen.” Victoria stopped the man. She put her hand on his arm with a possessiveness that made him stop. She asked him for the way to the Anne Frank House. For a moment it looked as if the man wanted to ignore her,…