WEIRD (A Monster-Maker's Journey From Small Town to Hollywood With OCD)

One woman’s battle with OCD and her climb to Hollywood success, creating the monsters that captivated millions.

Lynette Eklund’s memoir takes readers behind the scenes of the special effects industry, where she became one of Hollywood’s few female monster-makers. From stop-motion miniatures to full-scale dinosaurs, Lynette has spent over three decades shaping the visual magic of beloved films and TV shows. With over 50 credits, her work includes iconic projects such as Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, Beetlejuice, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, The Stand, and Species. She’s worked with the likes of Ben Kingsley, Jeff Goldblum, and Steven Spielberg, crafting effects that have left a lasting mark on cinema history.

But Lynette's professional success is only part of the story. She reveals her lifelong struggle with severe OCD, a disorder that kept her trapped under an ever-growing pile of rules and fears. Unaware of the impact OCD had on her life, she pushed forward, finding unexpected strength and creativity in the face of her challenges.

In this powerful memoir, Lynette opens up about her personal journey of overcoming the pressures of neurodiversity, sharing how she turned fear into fuel for her artistic vision and career. From creating beloved characters like Teddy Ruxpin to working on Disney and Universal theme park projects, her story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of embracing what makes us unique.

A story of monsters, both imagined and real, and how embracing them can lead to unexpected triumphs.