Smugglers, Spirits, and Starred Reviews: A Masterclass with Linda Wilgus.

The Secret Sauce to a 'Big Five' Deal with Linda Wilgus.The WCCS: Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025)An overnight success 21 years in the making.We were joined by the brilliant Linda Wilgus, author of the enchanting debut novel, The Sea Child. From writing during two-hour nap times to securing a "Big Five" publishing deal and a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, Linda’s journey is a masterclass in persistence.The Story of The Sea Child is set against the rugged cliffs of 1800s Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars. The Sea Child follows Isabel—a widow found as a child, dripping wet and alone. Is she the daughter of a seboka (sea spirit)? When a wounded smuggling captain is carried into her cottage, a timeless tale of folklore, adventure, and romance begins.💡 Masterclass Tips: The Linda Wilgus MethodThe 75% Rule for Plotting: Plan 75% for structure, but leave the final 25% open so your characters can surprise you.The “Crap First Draft” Philosophy: You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one. Stick to your daily word count!Don't Self-Reject: Linda landed a superstar agent by being brave enough to hit "send" on a "long shot" query.The “Tiffany Effect”: How to balance 18th-century authenticity with modern readability in historical fiction.Magic Needs Rules: In Magical Realism, magic must have firm limits—it can't be a "get out of jail free" card for your plotFollow Linda: Instagram @LindaJWilgus | LindaWilgus.comWatch the Interview: https://youtube.com/live/sBan9N46S0QSupport the Community: Join our Substack for more "stories behind the stories. WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | SubstackThe WCCS: Together as one, we get it done!What was your favorite tip from Linda? Let us know in the comments!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.