The Story Behind The Willing by Lindsay Lees

THE WILLING

By Lindsay Lees

The Willing envisions a dystopia, a society that is ostensibly viewed as a utopia but in reality harbors totalitarian beliefs. These types of societies exist all over the world yet those whose live within them are rarely aware that they are controlled. So many aspects of what goes on in the real world inspired me to write, The Willing but in many ways it’s the reality that sexual slavery exists at an alarming rate today in our society and worldwide that compelled me to create this story. The fact that our society worked so hard to eliminate slavery as an institution and yet millions of people are still impacted by it is utterly beyond my comprehension. Fortunately as an empath with a vivid imagination it proved to be a concept I could write about.  

If sexual slavery is going to exist with only minimal recognition from the media and sparse acknowledgment in our society than I wanted to examine how that could potentially impact a group of people who didn’t know any other way of life. If we continue to go on being blind to what’s happening, then I don’t see why a society like the one in Ovoidia couldn’t at some point be brought to fruition. There’s only so much abuse that the human mind can endure before it begins to seek any means of escape possible. I couldn’t help but imagine what a world would look like if sex was free and available to any man. How that could possibly alter the negative aspects of society and turn otherwise negligent behavior more positive. The fact that the society is controlled by women is a twist that I felt was slightly more realistic when considering the context of the society’s establishment. It may seem absurd and in many ways the story highlights the absurdity of such a sacrifice. Yet if we’re unwilling to see the perspective of millions of people who are given no choice over their bodily autonomy, I don’t see that as being any less absurd then imaging that perhaps a choice wouldn’t be made to ensure that some benefit didn’t come from such control.

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.

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About the Author

Lindsay Lees is originally from Los Angeles and holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and while growing up and later in college, she split her time between the two countries. Lindsay earned a B.A. in 2008 from Manchester Metropolitan University, and next an M.F.A.in Creative Writing from California College of the Arts. The Willing is Lindsay’s debut novel. She currently lives a quiet Southern life with her husband and a houseful of pets. Visit her website or connect with her at FACEBOOK and GOODREADS.