About
A raw, gritty New Englander, Dianne C. Braley found love for the written word early on, reading and creating stories while trying to escape hers, growing up in the turbulent world of alcoholism while living in the tough inner city. After putting her pencil down for a time, she became a registered nurse finding strength and calm in caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves. Still, she never lost her drive to write and became published in various medical online and printed publications. Seeing a painting and remembering a visit to Martha’s Vineyard as a girl and falling in love when her bare feet first stepped on the sand, she moved there for a time, caring for an ailing Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. He not only was her patient but soon became her friend and motivator. He and his books helped her realize she missed crafting stories, and she had some to tell.
Currently, Dianne and her family, both human, furry, and feathered, are firmly planted in a small town north of Boston but not far enough away to lose her city edge. She is currently earning her degree in creative writing. Still, she escapes to the Vineyard every summer, picking up her pencil, resetting herself, and writing in the place that again inspired it.
The Silence in the Sound is her debut novel.
Featured Work
The Silence in the Sound
On the picturesque island of Martha’s Vineyard, an ailing celebrity novelist's famous book about a choice helps his young nurse make a heartrending one of her own.
Fiery city girl, Georgette's memory of a childhood trip to Martha's Vineyard Island with her father is one of the few good times. Her father was an alcoholic, and her enabler mother chose to stay with him; his addiction was the center of their world. Georgette fled home as soon as she could; years later, as a nurse, she's going back to the island to start her life over. There, she becomes the private nurse for the ailing prize-winning novelist, Mr. S., and becomes enamored with the mysterious Dock, a wash-ashore like her whose disappearing acts only make her crave his love more.
As Georgette cares for Mr. S. and helps him come to terms with the end of his life along Vineyard Sound's beautiful shores, they become friends. His famous book helps her navigate her life as George finds in the running away from her past, she inadvertently ran towards it. She loses herself in her relationship with Dock, who leads her down a road of denial and impossible choices she never thought she'd have to face.
Told through the voice of Georgette. The Silence in the Sound is a provocative coming-of-age debut revealing the lasting effects of growing up in addiction. But it also demonstrates a young woman’s strength as she navigates friendship, love, and heartbreak while finding her hidden strength along the way.
Other Works
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Unheard Whispers (poems on growing up in an alcoholic home)
2022
Awards and Recognition
- Women's Fiction Firebird Book Award winner 2022
- 2022 NYC Big Book Award
- Honorable mention in Hollywood Book Festival
- 2022 Pen Craft Award in women's fiction
Press and Media Mentions
- Author Spotlight Interview
- Nursing Your Dreams Article
- Author Ecke Podcast
- Yahoo News
- News 10
- Toxic Relationships & Dysfunctional People
- Last Call Blog
- The Submission Process Article
- About This Writing Thing Podcast
- WBZ Book Club
- Press Release The Silence in the Sound
- Women Writers Women Books Interview
- Jean the Book Nerd Interview
- Podcast Author Blurb
- Mass Poetry Article
- Martha's Vineyard Radio Interview
- Martha's Vineyard Times Article
- We Magazine Article
- Press Release NYC Big Book Award