Lindsay Kendal | Why I Write

Hey guys and gals,

Thank you for having me here.

Since my second book, TORMENT, has been released, I've been asked one question over and over. Why did I scar my main characters love interest? I've spoken about this on other blogs recently and I do think it's an important topic. So...

The answer is really quite simple and I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me. At this current time the media is forcing the "perfect body image" down people's throats. You have to be skinny, have no blemishes, the perfect hair and eyes, and so on and so on. I personally think it's a load of rubbish! But I know there are people out there now who think that because they may have a curvy figure, a few freckles on their face, or even a few scars... nobody will find them attractive. What the media seem to forget is that everyone's idea of ‘perfect' is very different. I personally love gothic guys with long dark hair, dark eyes, tattoos etc. A lot of people hate this look, but being very dark myself this is what appeals to me. I can hardly see the next issue of Cosmopolitan, Elle or Vogue promoting this is ‘perfect'. (I never read these magazines by the way. As far as I'm concerned, most of their models are fake and the fashion leaves a lot to be desired.)

When I first introduced Eligos into my novels, I described him as being this "perfect" looking guy. Not a hair out of place or single blemish on his skin. As I wrote I thought "hmmm, that won't last." I then, in Torment, wrote that he had a secret, something he wouldn't show Keira, the woman he loves, for fear she will be repulsed by him and not be able to love him because of his true physical appearance. But oh how wrong he was. She loved him for whohe was, how he was, and the scars he had, although they affected his appearance drastically, they didn't faze her at all. She still loved him, and even more so once he had built up the confidence to show her the real him. I've had comments posted by people who have read this novel and I must say some of them have really moved me. One example is the following...

I've learnt quite a lot today, and most of it has been influenced by Lindsay Anne Kendal. I am what I am, I don't need to be skinny or gorgeous, I don't need to be fake. All I need to be is what I am. I am what and who I am due to the people around me that love me. And I want to say one thing to you all, Thank You. Lindsay you have now got the title of my role model x x x x x x x (Katharine Louise-Rose Taylor - UK)

This message meant an awful lot to me. It proved that people were realising they do not have to be how the media dictates in order to be beautiful and feel confident.

There are a lot of hidden messages in my books, they are all things I feel strongly about. I want people who read this book to be able to realise that you don't have to be "perfect" in order for someone to truly love you. That beauty is based on far more than just physical appearance. I want them to realise that everyone's idea of perfection is different and that no matter how badly scarred someone may be, there is someone out there who will love them more than life itself, just for being them.

I hope that will answer peoples questions, and I hope they too will follow in Keira's footsteps and fall in love with Eligos. I also hope readers will pick up on more of the messages in these stories.