Donna Bowman Bratton

  For Adults...

I've written oodles of newspaper and newsletter articles about very diverse topics. I'm much more interested in "soft" stories. One thing is certain- everyone and every thing has a story. All we have to do is question and listen.

Here's a list of some favorite regional "soft news" assignments I covered:

*Christmas Tree farming

* Community Events

* Personal profiles

* vintage home architecture and histories.

*Plight of the Texas State Railroad

*Travel articles:

     Canton, Texas and the monthly Trade Days

     Brenham, Texas

     Alaska 

*History of Bluebell Ice Cream factory

*Monastery Miniature horses

*Book reviews

*Theater reviews

*Concert reviews

*Author interviews

*Butterfly farming

*Profile of the world's 2nd tallest horse

*History of the towns of Williamson County

*Profiles of Charitable causes

What could be more fun than learning something new then sharing it with readers?

Theatrical Scripts

A Tea for All Ages (theatrical skit written April 2004 for nonprofit organization)

Following are my theatrical productions performed in conjunction with annual Christmas Bellfest- Round Rock, Texas.

Pebble by Pebble (performed November 2002)

What Child is This? (performed December 2001)

I Heard the Bells (performed December 2000)

The Gift (performed December 1999)

Adult Works In Progress

magazine article;  "Childhood Tics and Twitches." Magazine article about this common, yet misunderstod childhood phenomenon.

Magazine article; "Letting Go; a survival guide for parents of new college students"

Awards and Contests

2006 Media Award for journalistic Excellence-                  Newspaper article

2004 - 2nd place- "The Word" - Double-digit fiction catergory - children's short story - San Gabriel Writers' League-

2006 - 1st place - "Then it Went Pop!" children's fiction catergory -San Gabriel Writers' League

Honorable Mention - "Slippery, Slimy Christmas" children's category- Byline Magazine.

2000 - 2nd Place- "Falling in Love was Murder" Austin American Statesman C'est L'amour essay contest

Topics of Interest to the Educational Book Market

I welcome assignments on any topic. Following are specific interests

*History

*Animals

*Inventions

*Biographies

*Obscure / Failed Inventions

*Horses

*Economics

*Science

*Natural Environments

*Land Forms

*National Monuments

*National Parks

*Parenting

*Careers

How do I Seek to Improve My Writing?

*I am an active member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

*I have completed coursework through The Institute of Children's Literature.

*I am an alum of the 2008 Highlights Foundation-Chautauqua Writer's Workshop.

*I have completed Laura Purdie Salas' course, Writing for the Educational Market.

*Attended the 2009 Highlights Founder's Workshop in Honesdale, PA on Nonfiction Storytelling.

*I have attended and participated in numerous workshops, conferences, and writing classes to improve my craft.

*I am a voracious reader, especially of books for children and young adults. My personal library is extensive and varied. 

For Children...  

This is where it gets really fun for me. That crazy curiosity of my childhood has never gone away. It simply grew up. 

Published Works for Children

"Leader of the Band" appeared in the anthology, Mistletoe Madness (Blooming Tree Press 2004)

While "paying the fiddler" after breaking a window, baseball-loving Eric learns the spirit of giving and redemption just in time for Christmas. His reward is wrapped in the surprising friendship of a kind old man.

"To Save the Argentine Criollo"    Nonfiction article recounts the historic 10,000 mile horseback journey from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Washington, D.C. in 1925 to save a legendary horse breed from extinction.  (Serialized in CRICKET Magazine Sept/Oct/Nov 2007) 

"A Colossal Gift: The Statue of Liberty" Nonfiction article describing the dramatic history of our country's most recognizable monument. (July/August 2008- Kid Zone Magazine)

 "Benjamin Franklin's Singing Bowls; The Glass Armonica" Nonfiction article introducing the history of Ben Franklin's most obscure musical instrument, the first musical instrument invented by an American. Also includes science behind sound produced on glass. (November 2008 Odyssey Magazine)

"Birthdays Around the World" nonfiction article introducing young readers to cultural birthday traditions. (pending)

Works in Progress

My file of as-yet-unpublished manuscripts include funny picture books, middle grade nonfiction, magazine articles, short stories, and middle grade novels.

Currently in revision:

HOOFBEATS THROUGH THE HEART- picture book biography of former slave, Dr. William Key and his "educated" horse, Beautiful Jim Key. Together, they changed the course of the emerging humane movement.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S SINGING BOWLS: Our Founding Father's Favorite Invention.picture book- Ben Franklin's favorite invention was a musical instrument that was wildly popular across Europe until accusations arose that the instrument caused insanity, illness, even death.

THE CLOWN PRINCE OF DENMARK: VICTOR BORGE picture book biography of the slapstick classical pianist who outran Hitler, reinvented his life and adopted the mantra- "The shortest distance between two people is a smile."