Driven To Tears
Nikolette never imagined she'd fall in love with the world of professional racing. Or with a man who risks his life doing it.
After a painful breakup and walking away from the career she thought she wanted, Nikolette is building something of her own. When her new branding business lands her a client at the racetrack, she’s pulled into a world she never knew existed: the deafening roar of engines, the adrenaline of race day, the controlled chaos behind the scenes.
And then there’s Nash.
A talented young driver chasing a championship and a dream that began with his father, Nash is just as driven as Nikolette. Both are pursuing something they’ve wanted for years, and neither expects to find love along the way.
But every time he straps into the car, Nikolette is reminded that the very thing she admires most about him is the thing that could take him from her.
Can you build a future with someone whose greatest passion is also your greatest fear?
STATUS: In Development
The Story
Nikolette had a successful career in marketing, a long-term relationship, and a future she thought she had figured out. But when that relationship ended, the heartbreak followed her into the office every morning. Working alongside someone she was trying to forget made moving on nearly impossible.
Determined to make a fresh start, Nikolette launches her own branding business. Her first major client brings her into the world of professional auto racing. What begins as a business venture quickly becomes something more as she discovers the excitement, friendships, and behind-the-scenes world of motorsports.
And somewhere along the way, she meets Nash, a young driver whose passion for racing is every bit as strong as her determination to succeed. With a championship within reach, he’s focused on the dream he and his father shared since he was a kid. Meeting Nikolette is the one thing he never saw coming.
As their lives become intertwined, they discover how much they have in common. Both are ambitious, independent, and passionate about the futures they're building. And the further Nikolette is pulled into this world, the more she realizes she may never want to leave it.
Meet the Characters
Nikolette
Creative, independent, and determined to make a success of her new business, Nikolette is learning that starting over can be just as exciting as it is frightening. She's spent years helping other people build their brands, and now she's finally taking a chance on herself.
She's not looking for another relationship, especially after everything she's been through. But she's discovering that life doesn't always unfold according to plan, and sometimes the most unexpected opportunities lead to the greatest adventures.
Nash
Ambitious, competitive, and passionate about racing, Nash has spent most of his life behind the wheel. His love for the sport began with his father, who believed in his talent long before anyone else did. Now he's determined to become a champion and make good on the dream they shared.
But there's more to Nash than racing. Away from the track, he's down-to-earth, loyal, and surprisingly easygoing. He's accustomed to knowing exactly what he wants and doing whatever it takes to achieve it. Falling for someone like Nikolette wasn't part of his plan, and for the first time, he may find himself chasing something that has nothing to do with a finish line.
Inspiration For This Novel
I was driving in my car one day over the summer, listening to Pearl Jam Radio, when a live performance of Driven to Tears by Eddie Vedder and Sting came on. Two of my favorite singers, performing together.
As the song title scrolled across my radio display, I remember thinking, Driven to Tears. What a great title for a book.
And then my mind did what it always does. I started imagining the possibilities.
The word driven could mean so many things. Someone driven by ambition, by love, by fear, or by a dream they aren't willing to give up. And then I started thinking about driving itself. What if one of my characters was a race car driver?
That's how Nash began to take shape. A young man determined to become a champion, and Nikolette, a woman just as driven to build a new life for herself.
I haven't written a single chapter yet, and there are still so many details I haven't figured out. But I already know the question I want to explore.
Is passion really worth it?
One of My Favorite Moments
I haven't written a single chapter of Driven to Tears yet, but I've already had so much fun developing the story.
What started with a song title turned into pages of notes about two characters I hadn't even imagined a few days earlier. One idea kept leading to another, and before I knew it, Nikolette and Nash were beginning to come to life.
That's one of my favorite parts of writing. Watching a story grow from a single thought into something I can actually picture. I don't know exactly where these characters will take me yet, but I'm excited to find out.
What I Love About This Story
What excites me most about Driven to Tears is that I'm stepping into a world I've never written about before. I can already imagine the roar of the engines, the excitement of race day, and everything happening behind the scenes. I'm looking forward to discovering that world right alongside Nikolette.
I also love that Nikolette and Nash are both chasing dreams of their own. Neither is looking for someone to complete their life, but they may discover something in each other they never expected.
And what interests me most is the possibility that two people can genuinely love and respect each other and still face difficult choices. There doesn't have to be a villain or someone who's wrong. Sometimes two people can want different things, and neither is necessarily being unreasonable.
That's what I love exploring in my stories. Those complicated situations where it's easy to have an opinion until you imagine yourself in the middle of one.
I have a feeling Nikolette and Nash are going to challenge the way I think about love, ambition, and the sacrifices we're willing to make for both.
Status Updates
Current Status: Over 32 pages of development notes and counting! Nikolette and Nash's story is already taking shape, and I can't wait to dive into writing this one.
