Donna Bowman Bratton

So, Who am I?

Today

I've played with words since I was a little girl. My parents noticed my love of writing and encouraged me with an electric typewriter when I was about ten years old. I wore it out, even the sticky 'N'. 

Then I grew up a little and studied agricultural journalism at Southwest Texas State University. But alas, a corporate career in the family business lured me away.

When my first son was born, I picked up children's books again. Something magical happened. The wonder of my childhood returned with each turn of the page. Within ten years, I was playing with words again, but this time, I was playing for keeps. I bid farewell to the corporate world and dedicated my time to my family and to my writing.

I completed coursework through The Institute of Children's Literature and The Highlights Foundation Writer's Workshop through the Chautauqua Institute. I have attended numerous writing conferences, workshops, and classes.  I'm also very involved in the Austin chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators, where I am currently the special projects coordinator. www.austinscbwi.com

Since that giant leap of faith, I have written for newspapers, magazines, anthologies, and community theater. Currently, I am working on several book projects. People describe me as focused, determined, and somewhat of a perfectionist (I'm not sure that one is a compliment.)

I am insanely curious which explains why I adore research so much; the dig, the unexpected twists and turns, the promise of buried treasure.  And it explains why I love to read and write nonfiction and historical fiction.

When not writing, I work as a substitute teacher, school volunteer, and cub scout den leader.  I also run the resident taxi service at my address with frequent trips to baseball, karate, piano, cub scouts, and college visits.

Check out the About Me Page for some random trivia about me.

My Childhood

My young imagination was nurtured on our family's Quarter horse ranch in central Texas. At the time, I didn't appreciate my good fortune. I was surrounded by animals including cattle, dogs, cats, guinea hens, ducks, goats, even a pet skunk named Stinkie. Not surprisingly,  my best friends were horses.

While my human friends were riding bikes with neighborhood kids, I was riding horses and training for upcoming horse shows. While my friends were doing chores like taking out the trash, I was cleaning stalls, feeding animals, and otherwise helping around the ranch. While my friends were primping and preening, I was gussied up in countless show rings. I wouldn't trade a moment of it.

At home, I often tucked a notebook and pencil into the waist band of my jeans and gallop my horse to a favorite oak tree at the far corner of our ranch. The outstretched limb was the perfect retreat for my active imagination. There I poured my deepest thoughts,  stories, and poems onto paper.

My favorite fiction books involved animals (go figure) like Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, National Velvet, Flicka, and Black Beauty. And, books that answered questions, like How Things Work. Eventually, I grew into romantic, edgy books like The Thornbirds. For some reason, my favorite stories always left me crying in the end. Hmm!

I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I even wanted to write screenplays.  But, I also wanted to be a veterinarian, an actress, and a princess. I've dabbled in all of my early interests in one way or another. Since I'm the only female in my household, I'm even queen of my suburban castle.