Mina Witteman – author | editor | teacher of creative writing

Posts tagged “YA”

Californian view: Dr. Frank goes YA

Posted on September 2, 2010

While on my way to California I had to prepare for a masterclass – Finding and Revising Your Protagonist’s Voice in YA Literature – I was to attend at a writers’ conference in Los Angeles. One of the assignments was reading King Dork, the very very witty debut of Frank Portman, a.k.a. Dr. Frank of the Mr. T Experience. So I packed my bags, loaded King Dork on my e-book reader and started the long journey west. The book turned out everything you need to brighten up the seemingly endless and boring flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco. Moreover, it turned out to be an excellent book to be reviewed for Booktunes, Erik de Loor’s new website that brings together books and music. I…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Books, Views Abroad, YA books

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Amsterdam view: PLeaSe!

Posted on August 26, 2010

What to do when it is raining the proverbial cats and dogs? In my writer’s residence that isn’t a very hard question. Rain is an almost daily constant in our ecosystem. It keeps our land flat and wet, just the way we like it. So, we continue life as if this dreariness and gloom doesn’t exist. We dress up in various forms of water-repellants and water-resistants, and we go about our business as usual. We take out our finest umbrella’s and meet with our friends on the bridge for a chat, just like we would do on a sunny day, wearing our favorite miniskirts and halter-tops. Or we get out our cane and take our daily stroll, this time protecting our suit with a…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Amsterdam Views, The Views, YA books

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Amsterdam view: sunset transformation of a church

Posted on August 23, 2010

My little writer’s boat did a good job during the 2010 Sail celebration. Small but sturdy it took me to every nook and cranny of the Amsterdam water systems. Together we cruised the canals from Herengracht to Reguliersgracht, from Keizersgracht to Lauriergracht and on to Prinsengracht. We crossed the Amstel river. We even sailed the Amsterdam-Rijn canal and the IJ to dock at the Verbindingsdam between Java Island and the main land. At the Lloyd I enjoyed a gig of my favorite funkadelic hiphop band PLeaSe. You will most definitely hear more of them as they are without doubt The Next Best Band and they will feature in my new YA novel! After an outstanding, energetic and energizing PLeaSe performance – they twice played my…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Amsterdam Views, The Views

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Californian View: something old, something new…

Posted on August 18, 2010

For some people it is comforting to be surrounded by what they know, to do the things they’ve always done and live a life without surprises. Leave everything as it is and don’t ask questions. For them change is a scary process, a frightening journey into the dark unknown. If changes occur they – often subconsciously – try to block it. They cling to the familiar and won’t let go. It’s easy to laugh at them, but I realize that – deep down in my heart – I’m one of them. Even though I like a road less traveled, I have difficulties going off the beaten track. In hiking and biking I usually keep to the trails and in daily life I shop at…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Books, The Views, Views Abroad, YA books

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Palm Springs: The Invigorating Spirit Of The Sun

Posted on August 10, 2010

My first SCBWI Conference in Los Angeles was an overwhelming experience. Never have I seen so many kindred spirits together – 1,136 writers and illustrators, agents, editors and publishers. Never have I been in such good and fun company. E.B. Lewis‘ words and work left me in awe. Wow, that man knows how to paint a picture! Krista Marino’s master class Finding and Revising Your Protagonist’s Voice in a Young Adult Novel was an eye-opening inspiration. Jon Scieszka: boy, that man is so funny, telling us about the do’s and don’ts of a writer. Here’s a helpful don’t: Once you start writing, stop reading all the blogs and industry magazines and get down to working. Write, write write. But if you’re Jon’s dentist – thinking of writing a…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Books, Children's books, The Views, Views Abroad, YA books

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Silicon Valley View: Where the Wind of Freedom Blows

Posted on July 21, 2010

It was dead silent at The Farm. No one but me and the omnipresent sun were seen on the Main Quad, that seemed to have freed itself from the usual student mêlée and now oozed an eery quiet. Was it summer recess that had put campus life on hold? I crossed the quad, hoping to find refuge from the sun in the university’s inner sanctuary, but despite Paoletti’s molten silica on the church’s facade displaying Christ’s welcoming of the righteous to the kingdom of God, the bronze doors were uninvitingly shut. It contrasted sharply with the message I got earlier that day, when entering a bric-à-brac not too far from The Farm. At that time life still seemed Californian happy and sunny. Why had…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Books, The Views, Thrillers, Views Abroad

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Dutch View: A Wedding in IJmuiden

Posted on July 12, 2010

The venue was unusual: beach pavilion Zeezicht (Sea View) in IJmuiden. A wooden pavilion, built on high poles with magnificent views on one of the widest beaches in the Netherlands, on the IJmuiden jetties and the sea. The day was perfect for a wedding: bright blue skies, a glorious sun, lots of flowers and the air filled with happiness. It was perfect as it was, but it got even better. In the Netherlands we have an expression that says that your Prince Charming will arrive on a white horse. This groom arrived on a white horse and swept away his foxy lady in her golden gown to live happily ever after. So much happiness is good, but I am always on the look-out for…

Categories: A Bit of Everything, Books, Dutch Views, The Views, YA books

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