Episode Details

The Writing Community Chat Show is back! This week, we were joined by the brilliant Linda Wilgus, author of the enchanting debut novel, The Sea Child.Ranked #3 in the UK’s top writing podcasts for 2025, we pride ourselves on bringing you the stories behind the stories. Linda’s journey is one of incredible persistence, from writing during two-hour nap times to securing a “Big Five” publishing deal and a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly.Whether you’re a fan of atmospheric historical fiction or an aspiring author looking for the “secret sauce” to publishing success, this episode is a goldmine.Watch or Listen to the Full Interview on this article!The Story of The Sea Child.Set against the rugged, windswept cliffs of 1800s Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars, The Sea Child follows Isabel, a widow who returns to the village where she was found as a child—dripping wet, alone, and unable to speak.The locals believe she is the daughter of a seboka (a Cornish sea spirit), but Isabel’s life takes a swashbuckling turn when a wounded smuggling captain named Jack is carried into her cottage. It’s a tale of high-stakes adventure, folklore, and a romance that feels as timeless as the ocean itself. BUY IT HERE.The Journey: 21 Years in the Making.One of the most inspiring parts of Linda’s story is her path to publication. After putting her writing on hold for 21 years to raise three children and move around the world for her husband’s Navy career, she finally reclaimed her creative spark.She didn’t start with a masterpiece; she started with persistence. The Sea Child was actually her fourth adult novel. Her “overnight success” was built on a foundation of daily habits and a refusal to throw in the towel after previous rejections.💡 Masterclass Tips from Linda Wilgus.For the writers in our community, Linda shared some invaluable wisdom on the craft and the business of books:* The 75% Rule for Plotting: Linda describes herself as a partial plotter. She plans about 75% of the book to keep the structure sound but leaves the final 25% open. This allows the characters to surprise her and ensures the ending feels organic rather than forced.* The “Crap First Draft” Philosophy: Her biggest tip for finishing a novel? Set a daily word count and stick to it. Even if you feel the writing is “crap,” get it on the page. You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one.* “Shoot Your Shot” with Agents: Linda encouraged authors not to self-reject. Even if an agent seems “out of your league,” send the query anyway. She landed superstar agent Meline Milbourne by simply being brave enough to hit “send.”* Magic Needs Rules: When writing “Magical Realism,” Linda warns that magic cannot be a “get out of jail free” card. Even in a world with sea spirits, the magic must have firm limits so it doesn’t solve every plot conflict for the characters.* Avoid the “Tiffany Effect” in Dialogue: When writing historical fiction, you must balance 18th-century authenticity with modern readability. Use “approximations” of the era’s speech to keep the “voice” intact without alienating your reader with stilted or archaic language.Big News: The WCCS Awards 2025!At the start of the show, we also announced some massive news. We are working on the first-ever Writing Community Awards—the “Oscars for Authors”—to be held at the stunning Hensol Castle in South Wales this November! Stay tuned to this Substack for more details on sponsorships and how you can get involved.Where to find Linda Wilgus.* Socials: Follow her on Instagram @LindaJWilgus or visit LindaWilgus.com.The WCCS: Together as one, we get it done! Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and join the conversation in the comments below.Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here:*** D