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DCDubsWrites

Writer | Reader | Dreamer

About

Novels

Published Works

“Tiny Love Story”

A dear friend suggested I try writing a Tiny Love Story, as published by the New York Times: a true story of love in 100 words or less. I did not submit this for publication since I could not make it shorter than 142 words, but it was a wonderful creative exercise… and a true story.

At the grocery store, we realized I had accidentally destroyed Derek’s car: I had used my metal-tipped windshield scraper to remove snow during the winter. 

My pride ached more than the pure humiliation of a stupid mistake (I had two college degrees! I educated children!). I had been determined to prove I could handle everything during his deployment. Paperwork. Finances. Us. 

Now, I stood over Brussel sprouts, wondering if I was qualified to choose the freshest ones. 

Before unpacking groceries, Derek stopped me. 

I love you. 

I’m not mad. 

He danced me around the kitchen until I laughed. 

Later, Derek suggested pizza. I insisted on cooking to show my appreciation. Three bites in, and we realized I possibly, accidentally had given us food poisoning. 

Well, if that happens, we’ll just poop it out together. 

Our Pizza Hut was the best pizza ever. 

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Hi! I'm a fantasy novelist. Here you'll find my short published works, a description of my current projects, and any upcoming announcements. Feel free to peruse my work and help yourself to my freebies, or sign up for my monthly newsletter for what I've learned about the nebulous and intricate world of writing!

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dianaceewrites

✨Fantasy MG, YA, & Adult and CNF Author
📓Lifelong notebook collector
👑secret Disney princess

I may have zoomed to 150% this week 😅 #writing I may have zoomed to 150% this week 😅

#writingprobs #zoomingin #nearsightedproblems
My first line of the first Writing Advent Calendar My first line of the first Writing Advent Calendar prompt! It’s too long to share, and still a bit rough, but I planned on writing about how I made Christmas cookies after my first date with my husband, but instead it turned out to be more of a reflection on my grandmother’s Christmas Eve. That’s what I love about writing— you’ll never know what you’ll discover along the way. 

#cnfwriters #writingpromptsforfun
Today’s #writerpit is the perfect time to celebr Today’s #writerpit is the perfect time to celebrate my latest project! A YA romantasy/murder mystery, MOTHERS & MONSTERS is ONE DARK WINDOW x ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART 

If you like…. 
✨Star-crossed lovers 
🥀Secret identities 
✨”Who did this to you?” 
🥀Yearning
✨Monstrous mothers, feminine rage, and celebration of power 

…then this is for you. 🥀

#yaromantasy #novelpitch #fantasywritersofig
That’s what two manuscript projects at once will That’s what two manuscript projects at once will do 😅 no wonder I’m so tired though, honestly 

#amrevisingfantasy #amwritingyafantasy #kindabusy #sorryicanthearyou #hustlingmoms
If I’m writing, she’s snuggling 😂 #writing If I’m writing, she’s snuggling 😂

#writingwithacat #catprobs😸 #instagramvsreality #writerprobs
I usually go to TJ Max and find my yearly planner I usually go to TJ Max and find my yearly planner there, but every once in a while I ask for a nice one for Christmas (this is a predesigned bullet journal planner!). I’m wondering if there’s a traditional planner out there that supports creative endeavors… or even a bookish themed planner?? That would be SO lovely 🥰

If you have any planner recs, let me know! 

#planners #writerlife #bookishbuys
3 MORE DAYS!! 🥀 ~Thank you to Haley Bono & Eig 3 MORE DAYS!! 🥀

~Thank you to Haley Bono & Eight Moons Publishing for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a review!~

A YA romantasy where the FMC is a spunky 17 year old willing to do anything to save her sister? I’m in. One of my favorite parts about the novel is that Lottie isn’t afraid to take big risks to save her sister from a curse—a curse no one believes in but her—and she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, either. The book shines in the area of worldbuilding (the Blessings & Curses deities are VERY cool) and unexpected stakes (you’ll know what I mean when you read about the scene with Honesty, I literally squealed). It can be a slow read at various parts of the book, and I wished there were a few more clues leading to the mystery’s twist at the end, but overall I was entertained. If I was still teaching middle school, I’d 100% order a copy for my classroom. 

Congrats to @momthewriter for a lovely debut!! ✨🥀

#debutnovel #yafantasybooks #bookreview #slowburnlove #bookrecs
When we were traveling earlier this week, I shared When we were traveling earlier this week, I shared that I was going to attempt to write a full chapter in the car. Did I accomplish that? No. Did I make progress? Yes. Shoutout to my husband for always letting me be a passenger princess 👑

#amdrafting #writingonaroadtrip #writinginthecar #writersnotebooks
For the record, it is really hard to find pictures For the record, it is really hard to find pictures without my daughter in them 😅 

#creativenonfictionwriters #microwriting #sliceoflife #writermoms #toddlermomslife #autumnvibes🍁🍂🍃☀️
It was a good reading month! I’m looking forward It was a good reading month! I’m looking forward to discussing The Compound, which was a book club pick, and I’m still marveling at how the author’s perfect voice for its protagonist.

I also read my first ARC ever, Killed by True Love’s Kiss, which was a fun YA romantasy!! I’m happy to have the chance to support another author (and will share more about it soon). 

I may have already read my first book of November 👀

#octoberreads2025 #whatireadthismonth #booksbooksbooks #lovetoreadbooks📚
Cozy fantasy is better with a cat on your lap 🐱 Cozy fantasy is better with a cat on your lap 🐱

I don’t think I’ll make my November 1st deadline (I mean, I have a read through and then any ensuing changes, and that is not a two day job, so…) but that’s okay! I want it done right rather than fast. 

Also, I zoomed in so no one would see the mess 😂

#rereadingtime #writerswithcats #kindlescribe #draft3
This song has been on repeat in my head as I’m j This song has been on repeat in my head as I’m juggling two projects that I love so much! Time is our most valuable resource, and I know in my gut this is the ideal time to make these lifelong dreams of mine happen. And that’s one of the reasons I’m hustling so hard right now. 

#writinglife☕️ #amdraftingfantasy #hamiltonsoundtrack #alwayswritingsomething
Back at it ✨ Already the changes I’ve made are Back at it ✨ Already the changes I’ve made are clicking into place, and I am so excited! To revise, I brainstorm an overall solution, and then made a checklist of what needs to happen in each chapter to reflect that. It makes it very concrete and easy to apply. It’s a lot of work, but it’s organized 💁🏼‍♀️

#amrevisingfantasy #cozyfantasy #writingtipsandtricks
Another mini love letter to my husband and daughte Another mini love letter to my husband and daughter 🌊 Had to add the contact line though, I accidentally my right one straight in half because I was so tired (jet lag and a toddler, am I right?) and wearing glasses for a whole day is not really an option for me. 

#sliceoflife #miniloveletter #cnfwriter #creativenonfictionwriters #monthlyrecaps
This was an ✨amazing✨ reading month for me! I This was an ✨amazing✨ reading month for me! I thoroughly loved every book except one (and honestly, I think it’s just because I’m not as interested in thrillers at the moment). Half a Soul has been on my list for almost a year, and I wish I had read it sooner! Did I cry during A Thousand Heartbeats? Yes, I did. Did I mean to? Not at all. Am I already on the companion to Wicked Fox? I absolutely am. 

What was your favorite read of the month? 

#septemberreads2025 #readingrecap #cozyfantasy #lovetoreadbooks📚
I didn’t plan to write a novel by hand, but here I didn’t plan to write a novel by hand, but here we are. This novel wants me to write the scene, then type it, then take a day off. There’s somewhere around 30k words and 22 chapters in that first notebook, and I can’t wait to see where the second one takes me. 

#writingnotebook #amwri̇ti̇ng #writingbyhand #notebooklove
New draft, new notebook 📙✨Beta reader feedbac New draft, new notebook 📙✨Beta reader feedback is in, and I’m so excited to dive back into the enchanted antiques shop and make this story about friendship and forgiveness and closure shine. 

Fun fact: I bought this notebook in Italy when I was sixteen and have been waiting for the right moment to use it. That right moment is right now ✨

#draft3 #amwritingcozyfantasy #writersnotebooks #writingisrewriting
I was hoping if I really concentrated for a week, I was hoping if I really concentrated for a week, I could get to the midpoint (which I am just ITCHING to write). That did not happen. But in a week of distress— over political violence (😣) and trying to figure out if my toddler is dropping her nap (soon, I think 😳🫠), it’s still something. And it’s still something to pour a lot of my rage into. 

#amwritingya #weeklywriting #writingprogress #wordcounts
Taking a little creative notebook inspo from @cour Taking a little creative notebook inspo from @cournmuffin ✨ I’ve been listening to Reputation nonstop, and I had so much fun creating this page with some of my favorite song lyric quotes and matching the songs to the characters. Just ignore the incorrect quote if you spot it 😂

#writersplaylist #swiftievibes #reputationalbum #amwritingyafantasy #writersnotebooks
This is one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes: “ This is one of my favorite Shakespeare quotes: “we are such stuff as dreams are made on.” I bought this bracelet years ago, and it was the first really nice piece of jewelry I ever purchased for myself. I wore it every day when I taught, but I stopped wearing it once I had my baby. I discovered it last night when rummaging for something to wear to my husband’s work function, and it all clicked into place. Dreams are a crucial theme of Project Teeth, and rediscovering something I loved so much feels like a sign. 

#writingwithjoy #writerlife✍️ #shakespearequote #dreamer #whatdreamsaremadeof #amwri̇ti̇ng #chasingmydreams✨
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