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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 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.
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 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.
250 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 25, 2025
WEIRD by Lynette Eklund turned out to be one of the best memoirs I've read by someone I was unfamiliar with before reading. I'll explain later, but simply put, this far surpassed my expectations.
Many biographies and memoirs I read are by people I know of, through their work or perhaps because of their actions (activism, policy making, etc) so I come to them with some idea what I am going to learn more about as well as what I will learn that will be new to me. When I choose one by someone I don't know I am going strictly by how interesting it sounds. While usually enjoyable they often don't completely click because I didn't have a foundation upon which they could build. Eklund built the foundation and the wonderful building to, of course, perfection.
Because so much of her work history touches on things most of us have some familiarity with, namely film and major theme parks, it helped overcome not knowing her. I grew up in Van Nuys for part of elementary school and again for high school, so I knew plenty of people working in the film industry, which also allowed some connection. Having finished the book, I can say that even though the stories and anecdotes about her work were wonderful I found her personal story, her history with OCD (now OC without the D) is what made this a phenomenal book for me.
I knew I was somewhat OCD but also thought (or explained it away) as simply liking things certain ways and having ways of thinking that just made sense. As I was reading this, from the very beginning, I realized how many traits I have that fall into the OCD rubric. Though not to the degree that Eklund does, I have rules and laws that are important to, and only known to, me. They can impact what I do, how I do it, and whether I am likely to enjoy it. For anyone else with similar traits, this may well be an eye-opener for you. Even if not, I think you will find it interesting how she managed, well before having a name for how she related to the world, she juggled her internal demands with her external demands.
I don't want to make it sound like you have to relate to the OC(D) elements to enjoy the book. Most of us have personality traits that can sometimes impede our growth and success in life, and you'll be able to relate in that way. Plus the story of Hollywood behind the scenes is fascinating as well. In other words, there is a lot to enjoy here for all kinds of readers. There is an extra element for those of us who might recognize ourselves in some of her mental gymnastics necessary just to get through a day.
Highly recommended for any readers of memoirs and especially those who live by their own internal rules that the keep secret because others might not understand.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Many biographies and memoirs I read are by people I know of, through their work or perhaps because of their actions (activism, policy making, etc) so I come to them with some idea what I am going to learn more about as well as what I will learn that will be new to me. When I choose one by someone I don't know I am going strictly by how interesting it sounds. While usually enjoyable they often don't completely click because I didn't have a foundation upon which they could build. Eklund built the foundation and the wonderful building to, of course, perfection.
Because so much of her work history touches on things most of us have some familiarity with, namely film and major theme parks, it helped overcome not knowing her. I grew up in Van Nuys for part of elementary school and again for high school, so I knew plenty of people working in the film industry, which also allowed some connection. Having finished the book, I can say that even though the stories and anecdotes about her work were wonderful I found her personal story, her history with OCD (now OC without the D) is what made this a phenomenal book for me.
I knew I was somewhat OCD but also thought (or explained it away) as simply liking things certain ways and having ways of thinking that just made sense. As I was reading this, from the very beginning, I realized how many traits I have that fall into the OCD rubric. Though not to the degree that Eklund does, I have rules and laws that are important to, and only known to, me. They can impact what I do, how I do it, and whether I am likely to enjoy it. For anyone else with similar traits, this may well be an eye-opener for you. Even if not, I think you will find it interesting how she managed, well before having a name for how she related to the world, she juggled her internal demands with her external demands.
I don't want to make it sound like you have to relate to the OC(D) elements to enjoy the book. Most of us have personality traits that can sometimes impede our growth and success in life, and you'll be able to relate in that way. Plus the story of Hollywood behind the scenes is fascinating as well. In other words, there is a lot to enjoy here for all kinds of readers. There is an extra element for those of us who might recognize ourselves in some of her mental gymnastics necessary just to get through a day.
Highly recommended for any readers of memoirs and especially those who live by their own internal rules that the keep secret because others might not understand.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 27, 2025
well-written memoir that's unflinching about detailing the situations at every point and detailing Eklund's reactions and actions, no matter her view on them at this time. it's really interesting. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews