Interview with Lindsay Lees, Author of THE WILLING #interview

"Just then, the meeting room door opened to the heady scent of a dozen steamed bouquets, as though the Head Gajes had bathed in the buckets of wilting flowers being sold on the streets in the mid-day heat. Diam, the eldest of the Head Gajes strolled, chin up, into the room. Her stilettos tapped like hail on glass as she walked across the marble floor. She wore a black satin skirt flared above her knee. Her skin shone, glossy and supple. Isis, the younger Head Gaje, teetered in behind her, gripping a round red lollipop on a white stick."

-- From THE WILLING by Lindsay Lees

Book Description:

In less than a year, fifteen-year-old Gypsy Capone will be considered a woman in Ovoidia, a “utopian” city-state where every woman can be approached for immediate sex by any man, where curving architecture adds weird whimsy, sporks are the only cutlery, and true intimacy between the genders is a sign of suspect subversion. After all, if a woman just plays along, she’ll also do her job and have children, with the reward of a fine home in the “Communities,” where she and the other “Mamas” live together in harmony with everything they need. Right?

The irony: Diam and Isis, the two leaders of Ovoidia, are themselves females. Fun, yes! And just below the surface, perversely sinister. They personally execute these precise sacrifices by women to establish their “happy,” absurdly totalitarian utopia, and are backed up by their chosen army of male “crusaders,” enforcing a crime-free, fully controlled society.

Men are relegated to work in the “City” where they may “enjoy”—right there on the street if they wish—any woman they want and are welcome to satisfy their sexual and emotional needs at establishments called Gaje Clubs where only the most “gifted” among women are chosen to work.

Not surprisingly, in Ovoidia women have evolved until they feel nothing of sexual pleasure. But in Gypsy’s deepest heart, she realizes her own dark secret: she is the exception. Next she discovers to her horror that her secret, if known, could result in the ultimate punishment—genital mutilation.

To save her body and even her soul, Gypsy chooses a dangerous path—to single-handedly confront this scary and absurd world. She has the support of her allegiant sister Sadie and Miles Devine, a rogue, secretly gay crusader, and also “Doctor,” a morally questionable physician to help her. But none of them fathom the levels of paradox, incongruity, and twisted evil they will soon face, and the ride becomes something even Gypsy could have never imaged.

Interview:

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Lindsay. Can you tell us where you are from?

Los Angeles, CA. More specifically Sherman Oaks.

Q: How did you come up with your title?

It was based on a highly inappropriate joke that my dad told me. I repeat a version of the joke in the book during a conversation with Sadie and Gypsy.

Q: They say you can judge a book by its cover. Can you tell us a little about your cover and who designed it?

The original cover design was created from an idea that I had in mind regarding the Ovoidian skyline. I knew that I wanted a visual of the city. The original artist I was working with came up with some designs but wasn’t able to complete them. Fortunately he allowed me to use elements of the design when I hired a freelance artist, Louisa Wilhelm through the website Upworks. Together we created the finished design and it came out better than I had originally imagined.

Q: Can you tell us something about your book that would make me run out and buy it?

It’s not a book for the faint-hearted but it’s also unlike any book you’ve ever read before. It will challenge your beliefs and leave a deep impression.

Q: Are there any messages in this book that you want the reader to know about?

It warns against the dangers of ideological thinking. As well as shines a light on the reality of human trafficking and the psychological impact of long term abuse.

Q: What was your most favorite chapter to write and why?

I really enjoyed writing the Doctor chapters. I feel a lot of compassion for his character and how time and experience has the ability to change our perceptions.

Q: Why did you feel you had to write this book?

The only other option than writing it was to let the story live in my head and honestly that wasn’t really an option. The story had to come out otherwise it would have driven me mad.

Q: Now, some fun questions - What deep dark secret would you like to share with us?

I’m pretty boring as an adult and don’t have many secrets but when I was a child I used to lie mainly for attention but also to cater to my vivid imagination.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

South America for the landscape and the food.

Q: Are you a morning person or a night person?

Morning person. One hundred percent.

Q: Are there any members in your family who also like to write?

My husband. We met during our time in the MFA program.

Q: As a child, were you a dreamer?

As a child who came from a family system of addiction I was constantly dreaming things up to hide the reality of what was really going on in my life. It was a coping mechanism that served me at certain times and not at others.

Q: Last but not least, the magic genie has granted you one wish. What would that be?

The power to sense when someone needs protecting and the ability to act on those senses.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview! Do you have any final words?

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share a little about myself and my novel. I just want to express my gratitude to your readers for having faith in an indie writer and taking my word that my novel is worth reading. I appreciate the support and God Bless.