How do you process a childhood shaped by stories of hardship, secrets, and resilience? For Linda Scholten, growing up hearing her parents’ experiences during the German occupation of the Netherlands planted the seeds for a compelling historical novel. In an illuminating conversation with Amy Lou Jenkins on The Author Effect, Linda shares how she transformed family stories and deep research into a moving work of fiction that explores identity, love, and the complexities of history. See the video with reading at the end of this article.

From Childhood Memories to a Novel Idea

Linda’s journey to writing began about a decade ago during a poignant conversation with her mother, who was then in her mid-eighties. Realizing the importance of preserving her mother’s memories, Linda started recording their talks, initially just for family archives. However, the stories soon sparked a creative fire. The character of Florence Hathaway, a fictional pen pal, emerged in Linda’s mind as a way to bring these narratives to life without directly retelling her mother’s story.

“The story just started taking off from there,” Linda recalls. “It became fiction, not about my mother at all.” This transformation from personal history to fictional narrative allowed Linda to explore themes of identity and secrets from a fresh angle, blending fact and imagination.

The Books That Shaped Linda’s Writing

An avid reader, Linda sought inspiration from historical fiction that taught as much as it entertained. She credits several novels for influencing her approach:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows — originally inspiring Linda to write in letters, shaping her early draft as an epistolary novel.
• Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay — with its dual timelines weaving past and present, offering a structural model.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr — admired for their beautiful prose and historical depth.
• We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter — a novel based on a true family’s survival story during WWII.
• The Lilac Girls — which led Linda to immerse herself in detailed research, including a 900-page history of Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Her passion for learning through fiction fueled her dedication to thorough research, ensuring her novel would resonate with authenticity.

Research, Travel, and Refinement: Crafting the Story

Linda spent three years deeply researching, following “rabbit holes” of history and personal stories that made her manuscript balloon into an 800-page “eleven-legged octopus” — a sprawling, unpublishable draft. But a transformative trip in May 2024 clarified her vision.

During a six-week house exchange in Spain, Linda took a week to conduct “boots on the ground” research in Europe. She visited The Hague’s National Archives to study Dutch collaboration during WWII, explored Berlin’s resistance museums, and walked through locations where her characters once lived. This immersive experience allowed her to journal as her modern protagonist, Kate, a 48-year-old woman uncovering family secrets.

“While I was traveling, I traveled as Linda, but I also journaled as Kate,” she explains. This dual perspective helped crystallize the story into a publishable form focused on Kate’s journey of discovery.

A Glimpse into the Story: A Reading from Who We Think We Are

Linda shared a poignant excerpt from the first chapter, setting the scene in a nursing home where Kate visits her grandparents. The grandmother, Oma, who has dementia, and Granddad share a tender and revealing moment:

“I was a Canadian pilot in World War two. I had flown over Holland on bombing missions to Germany many times. But on this day, May tenth nineteen forty four, my plane was hit by flak. I crash landed in a field in eastern Holland... I looked up into Oma’s bright blue eyes. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.”

The story unfolds with themes of love, war, and memory, hinting at darker truths beneath the surface. A shocking admission from a Grandmother with demetia shocks the foundations of the protagonist and the emotional response from Granddad adds tension and complexity to the narrative.

Publishing Milestones and the Emotional Journey

Linda’s debut novel, Who We Think We Are, launched in July and is available on Amazon, with special preorder pricing for Kindle and paperback editions. The cover art holds personal significance, modeled after a photograph of Linda’s mother in The Hague.

Reflecting on the experience of holding her book for the first time, Linda describes it as surreal — “a book with real pages and words in it, and they’re my words and my name.” She acknowledges the vulnerability inherent in sharing such a personal and researched story with the world.

“It feels like I’ve given birth to a baby, and now it’s not mine anymore. It becomes the reader’s,” she says. The support of readers through purchasing and reviewing the book means everything to her, reinforcing the importance of championing literature.

Writing and Community: Lessons from the Journey

Linda and Amy Lou both emphasize the value of community, education, and expert guidance in the writing process. Despite their backgrounds and experience, they chose to take classes, join mastermind groups, and collaborate with others to refine their work. This dedication to craft and growth enriches their storytelling and connects them with fellow authors.

“The end product is richer. We’re smarter, and we meet these wonderful people,” Linda reflects, highlighting the power of shared creative journeys.

FAQ: Write Your Story with Linda Scholten

Q: What inspired Linda Scholten to write her novel?

A: A deep desire to preserve her mother’s stories from the German occupation of the Netherlands, which evolved into a fictional narrative exploring identity and secrets.

Q: How did research shape the novel?

A: Extensive research over three years, including visits to archives and historical sites in Europe, helped Linda create an authentic and immersive story.

Q: What is unique about the structure of the book?

A: The novel combines historical fiction with a modern-day storyline, following a character named Kate who uncovers family secrets, inspired by Linda’s own travels and experiences.

Q: Where can I buy Who We Think We Are?

Buy on Amazon

A: The book is available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback editions, with special preorder pricing around its July launch.

Q: What advice does Amy have for aspiring writers?

A: Embrace vulnerability, seek community and expert guidance, and be open to letting your story evolve through research and reflection in the form of freewriting.

Linda's Story Lives Because She Wrote it

Linda Scholten’s journey from childhood memories to published author is a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge past and present. Her novel Who We Think We Are invites readers to explore history, identity, and love through richly drawn characters and meticulous research. If you’re inspired to write your story, Linda’s experience underscores the importance of perseverance, community, and embracing the unexpected paths creativity can take.

For those ready to embark on their own writing adventure, let Linda’s story be a reminder: Write Your Story with passion, curiosity, and heart.

 

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Connect with Linda Scholten

To follow Linda's journey and updates about her novel Who We Think We Are, you can visit her official Facebook page. Stay connected for news, events, and insights directly from the author.

Linda Scholten on Facebook