On Being the Siren

Few have likely had occasion to consider this, but it's not easy creating a creature from scratch. One must avoid cliche or your creature appears to have come from a box.

While there was a time any old blue would do for monster skin, you're now safer with shades of aqua and their color wheel companions. Otherwise, you're an Avatar country cousin and only...almost homemade.

Despite their distinguished history and current wild popularity, anything reminiscent of a vampire is problematic as well. I predict the vampire's trajectory to mimic that of the cupcake - whose fall from grace is surely an imminent event.

Other problems emerged as well. I had repeatedly said I wanted to "creature up and be HIDEOUS!". It didn't take long to realize what I actually envisioned was a creature on her way to the prom. There would be no slime. Under NO circumstances could dental distortions be yellow, brown or ragged. And would it be possible - rather than scales - to use sequins? Perhaps they could swoop dramatically over my eyebrows and onto my cheeks?

I had to let go of most of that - although the refusal of yellow, brown or ragged teeth was a point I was simply incapable of budging on. 

But the question remained. Who is this creature? I was in uncharted territory. The budget of an indie film doesn't allow the extravagance of a prototype. In order for this creature to evolve, I would have to carry it's blurry form in my head until something brilliant materialized.

It occurred to me making it word-free might be easier. A mute creature must, however, be unusually expressive. This is why I tried a subtle, low growl in the grocery store line. It's why I practiced creepily appearing behind my husband's chair to slowly lay a hand on his shoulder.  It's why I now have some fairly good octopus moves under my belt(remember this creature lives in the sea - or, rather, the Gulf of Mexico).

But what finally helped most was realizing I was trying to create a creature completely separate from myself. Something of me had to be pulled into it. I'm not prepared to share what that something was but I can tell you this: It's an excellent mental exercise. 

That's when I began to feel my creature. 

We'll see. Of course, what is most important is that you feel my creature. Don't go far.