About me…

Hi, I'm Dianne. The Delusional Novelist

I spent more than 20 years teaching elementary school in Michigan and New Jersey—most of that time teaching writing and language arts to fourth graders. I taught narrative structure, character development, and the power of revision. I told my students that first drafts are supposed to be messy, that rewriting is part of the process, and that good writing takes persistence.

Turns out, I was preparing myself for this journey without knowing it.

After relaxing from teaching, I finally gave myself permission to do what I'd always dreamed of: write a novel. Not just any novel— a psychological thriller that had been living in my head for years.

THE KISMET KEY is about a teacher who discovers her dying father's hidden connection to a childhood murder—and realizes the killer now works at her school. It's a story about trust, family secrets, and the impossible question: Was her father protecting me, or hiding the stalker?

I finished the manuscript. Had it professionally edited. Bestselling authors, including Ashley Flowers (All Good People Here), Megan Collins (Behind the Red Door), and Connie Nelson (Cavalier – Unsolved Murder), have expressed interest in reading the book upon publication. I'm a member of Mystery Writers of America.

And then I started querying literary agents.

That's when I discovered that publishing is brutal, subjective, and humbling.

This diary documents the real journey—the rejections, the revisions, the small victories, and the manifesting that keeps me believing this delusion will come true.

 I don't know how this story ends yet. But I'm documenting every step.

Welcome to the ride.

- Dianne