Steps to take in writing my Novel and Character development

I am thinking of writing a novel burning inside me as I found a list of my grandfather’s children from years ago of whom I know all of course my father (who I adored), my Uncle Arthur, and my two aunts, Alice and Ann, but another Uncle Robert is still a mystery. So taking what I know of my Swiss family history and my Great Grandmother needing more from her life in Switzerland and having my Great Grandfather follow her to America with my Grandfather and his siblings, I came up with a story to connect the coming to America with almost a rebel story of my Uncle and possibly myself bringing my family together again. I like to imagine my Uncle was a twin of my father and when we meet I am knocked off my feet thinking of my Daddy!

A deeply personal and powerful story

I want this to read like a deeply personal and powerful story I write! The connection between my Swiss family history and the idea of a “rebel” uncle, along with the emotional impact of meeting someone who resembles my father, could create a rich, compelling narrative. It could explore themes of family, identity, migration, and self-discovery. The twist of thinking of my uncle as my father’s unknown twins would also add a layer of complexity and intrigue to the plot.

Where do develop and have a community in writing my novel

I would love help brainstorming this story for my website at https://www. creativecapturesbypam.com and have posts that I can have on a password-protected webpage with daily posts in developing the story!

Community of writers to hold me accountable and help me develop and write

Using a password-protected page for daily posts can create a sense of community and engagement as you develop the story. Here are some brainstorming ideas for your novel to get started:

1. Character Development:

• The Mysterious Uncle Robert: Since Uncle Robert is a mystery, you could introduce him gradually through the story. Maybe his presence is hinted at in old letters, photographs, or memories of relatives. He could be someone who was lost or presumed dead, adding a layer of suspense to your story.
• Your Character: What makes your character unique in this journey of discovery? Maybe they start the search for Robert as an innocent quest, only to uncover deep family secrets, or they struggle with reconciling their family history with their own identity.
• The Great-Grandparents’ Journey: Your great-grandmother’s longing for more in life could be a driving force for the entire family. What was it that she needed? Was it more opportunity, a better life, or something more intangible like independence or freedom?

2. Themes to Explore:

• Identity and Family: This theme seems to be central, especially with the idea of meeting someone who resembles your father. How does meeting Uncle Robert impact your character’s understanding of their own identity and family history?
• Migration and New Beginnings: The journey of coming to America could be explored not just in terms of physical migration but emotional migration as well. How did your great-grandmother and great-grandfather change as they crossed an ocean, leaving behind their old lives to build a new future?
• Rebel Spirit: Uncle Robert might embody the “rebel” spirit, questioning traditions or making choices that deviate from the norm, especially compared to the more established, dutiful family members. You could play with the contrast between tradition and personal freedom.

3. Story Structure:

• Flashbacks and Present Day: You could alternate between the past (the great-grandparents’ journey to America) and the present (your character’s search for Uncle Robert). This way, the past story unfolds while simultaneously revealing the mysteries of the present.
• Letters, Diaries, and Documents: Since your character is piecing together family history, using old letters, documents, or diaries can help reveal pieces of the puzzle. These could be part of the daily posts to engage your readers and share pieces of the mystery.
• Suspense and Revelation: Perhaps your character starts uncovering pieces of Uncle Robert’s life—his reasons for disappearing, his rebellious choices, and the mystery surrounding his fate. Every day could reveal a new piece of the puzzle that leads closer to a dramatic revelation.

4. Setting and Atmosphere:

• Switzerland to America: The transition from a small Swiss village to the vastness of America could be a fascinating part of the story. The contrast between their old world (Swiss traditions, quiet village life) and the new (the bustling energy of America, opportunity, and freedom) could add depth to the family’s story.
• Uncle Robert’s Absence: The way Uncle Robert is remembered (or not remembered) by other family members could help set the emotional tone of the book. Is his absence felt deeply by the family, or is it something they’ve learned to move on from?

5. Website Integration:

• Daily Updates: You could share snippets of character development, short chapters, or even family “artifacts” like old letters or photos. Let readers follow the mystery unfold each day, making them feel invested in your journey.
• Reader Engagement: Encourage your website visitors to contribute thoughts or theories about the mystery surrounding Uncle Robert, or have them vote on different story developments. This can create a sense of involvement in your creative process.

Character Development

First work on developing the characters. From Uncle Robert- which you started to up above, my great grandparents: may they RIP= Josephine Borer- Schmidlin, and great grandpa Beda Schmidlin, my grandfather- Leo W Schmidlin ( I would love to add his work as a milkman in Queens and the first one to drive a Borden’s milk truck) yes, my grandmother Frania Steffie Docyk Schmidlin (adding her Ukrainian background in there) fell for the milkman- talk about traditional LOL, and father Leo P Schmidlin, myself Pamela Schmidlin.

ChatGPT said:

Let’s dive into developing these characters! Here are some ideas for each:

1. Uncle Robert

• Personality: A mysterious, independent figure. Maybe he’s a bit of a “black sheep” who went off the beaten path, always asking questions and rejecting norms. His rebel spirit could be rooted in wanting more than what his family’s traditional life in Switzerland offered, leading him to make unexpected choices.
• Appearance: Possibly a striking resemblance to your father, especially if you later mistake him for your dad. This could be an emotional moment for both characters. Think about whether Robert’s look is rugged, rough-around-the-edges, or smooth and polished.
• Background: He might have left Switzerland due to disagreements with his family or to follow a passion or cause. Maybe he lived a life of adventure in America or Europe, which could tie into the mystery of why he disappeared.
• Role in the Story: He serves as the puzzle piece that your character (and readers) are trying to solve. As your family’s history unravels, his choices could be a key turning point in understanding the family’s legacy.

2. Great-Grandmother Josephine Borer-Schmidlin

• Personality: A woman of determination, Josephine sought more from life than what her Swiss village offered. She may have been someone who felt a deep sense of restlessness, yearning for freedom, adventure, or opportunity.
• Appearance: You could depict her as having a strong presence—perhaps with expressive eyes or a warm smile. Her strength of character could shine through in her physicality, especially in the early days of her immigration to America.
• Role in the Story: Josephine’s desire for more out of life could be the catalyst for the family’s move to America. Her journey of discovery could parallel the protagonist’s quest to understand family and identity. She could also have left behind records or journals that helped unravel the family’s past.

3. Great-Grandfather Beda Schmidlin

• Personality: Quiet, steady, and dedicated. Beda might have been the one who balanced Josephine’s more restless spirit with his practicality. He could be depicted as someone who had a strong work ethic, perhaps with a deep love for his family.
• Appearance: A solid, dependable figure in the family with perhaps a weathered face, showing the years of hard work and sacrifices he made.
• Role in the Story: Beda’s story could serve as a contrast to Josephine’s desire for change. His stability may have helped ground the family during their transition to America.

4. Grandfather Leo W Schmidlin

• Personality: Charismatic, hardworking, and kind. Being the first milkman in Queens to drive a Borden’s milk truck gives him the air of someone who’s proud of his work but also inventive and resourceful. He may have had a deep sense of pride in his work and his role in the community.
• Appearance: Perhaps tall and strong with a youthful energy. Imagine him with a slightly crooked smile or a twinkle in his eyes, showing a man who enjoyed life and his little corner of the world.
• Role in the Story: Leo is central to this immigrant story—how he transitioned from the old world to the new. He represents the embodiment of hard work and success, contributing to the family’s assimilation into American life. His marriage to Frania could be a story of unexpected love, grounded in traditional values, but with a spark of romance.

5. Grandmother Frania Steffie Docyk Schmidlin

• Personality: Frania brings the Ukrainian side to the story—an American born from a Ukranian immigrant with her unique blend of culture, tradition, and new beginnings. She may have had a quiet resilience, rooted in her Ukrainian heritage, but she could also be deeply affectionate and protective of her family.
• Appearance: Frania might have a soft, nurturing face, with strong, expressive hands from years of work. Her eyes could reflect the hardships of her past but also a fierce love for her family.
• Role in the Story: Frania’s Ukrainian background and immigrant experience could provide cultural context, especially in her relationship with Leo. Their love story could represent the blending of two cultures (Ukrainian and Swiss) in America.

6. Father Leo P Schmidlin

• Personality: Leo P, your father, could have been a stabilizing force in the family. He could be a deeply caring, somewhat traditional man, but with a warmth that made him beloved by his family. His relationship with his parents could be explored to show the generational shift in family dynamics.
• Appearance: Think about how he resembled (or didn’t resemble) Uncle Robert. Was he tall like Leo W? Did he share any of Robert’s rebellious traits? His appearance could reflect both the weight of the past and his own sense of identity.
• Role in the Story: His connection to Uncle Robert would be key—maybe Leo P had a strained relationship with his brother, or there’s a mystery about Robert’s disappearance. How does your character navigate their relationship with their father when they are confronted with Uncle Robert’s memory?

7. Pamela Schmidlin (You)

• Personality: The protagonist (you) could be someone who has spent years trying to piece together family history, curious about the missing pieces. Perhaps you start as someone who feels detached from the past but grows more connected as you uncover secrets.
• Appearance: A strong, reflective figure—someone who looks at their family with both admiration and curiosity. Your character could also have some of the traits passed down from previous generations, especially the strong will and curiosity for life.
• Role in the Story: As you search for Uncle Robert, your journey of self-discovery could be as significant as the search for him. Your quest to understand your family’s past, and your personal connection to the story, would form the backbone of the narrative.

These are just starting points for each character! Feel free to add any specific details or tweaks to make them even more personal to your family history and story.

These are the starting points to have my characters defined more so I can continue writing.