Driving Lessons
Driving Lessons is a coming of age story of a girl going on a road trip with two strangers. The novel is based on a true story unfolding in Europe (Germany – France – Spain) in 1978.
While writing my story I had been debating—with myself—if this is a novel or a memoir. Some would call it auto fiction, fictional memoir or historical fiction. I am writing this book for mothers raising teenage daughters — and their daughters.
Driving Lessons’ is a 71 K novel seeking qualified beta readers.
Setting out on a summer vacation with her two new friends, a young girl enjoys the freedom from parental guidance only to learn that returning home is the true challenge of her journey.
A Roadtrip
Of course, she wanted to come along. Does it matter she doesn’t even have her license yet? Who cares?
In Driving Lessons a nineteen years old girl from Germany is on her first road trip with two new friends crossing two borders—yes, Europe was still very much devided then.
What begins as a joy ride quickly turns into a roller coaster of emotions. The young woman has to navigate a foreign territory, gain her footing and find out who is on her side before it is too late.
Based on a true story this adventure keeps you at the edge of your seat, riding shotgun so to speak, wondering, how this naive, trusting girl will get out of the trouble she gets herself into.
The book isn’t out yet, but parts of my story have already been published. In the video below I’m reading from my essay Spanish Beach Vacation published in the anthology Spring and All. Laura Rink, my editor from Red Wheelbarrow Writers, introduces me.
The video below is edited down to three minutes.
What readers said:
“A lovely, haunting story.”
“There is so much longing and nostalgia.”
“Thank you for sharing your poignant story. Lovely!”
“I didn’t just read this piece; I absorbed it. I changed in the process. Huge kudos.”
“I really can’t wait to read your book.”
“You totally nailed the voice of innocence in this piece, taking me right back to my traveling days.”
Naked Angels NYC selected chapters from Driving Lessons as solo pieces for their cold reading series Tuesdays@9.
Nicole Rosengurt personified the protagonist with her spunk and youthful innocence at the reading, October 2023.
It was one of the last readings at The Kraine Theater before its closure.
