MerMay has begun!!!!

A peek inside the notebook for the mermaid story I'm working on

Jumpin’ jellyfish!

I almost forgot today’s newsletter - and in the month of MerMay no less! That’s not to say I forgot about Mermay, because I 100% did not. Even while organizing multiple kid birthday parties and family events and getting to all the sports, I have plans to again attempt a short comic like last year. But THIS year, I am developing a story I’ve had in my head for years - that’s the thing about stories for me, they develop in the back o my head for years and years before I do anything with them. This one has been marinating for so long, I really do think I need to try to get it down on paper at last. It’s the story of Beckon, an orphaned girl raised alone on an island by mermaids! I’m sharing a peek at the development notes and drawing that I’ve been accumulating for years.

Beckon and one of her mothers - “My darling girl, born of the depths and carved by the currents. The kraken himself trembles at our name.”

The story came from Stan Roger’s Maid on the Shore. I’ve always loved this song ever since I was little. Its not about mermaids but also….couldn’t it be? It tells a story, as all the best songs do! In the song, a young captain spots a young lady roaming alone on the shore. He falls instantly in love and offers to share his riches with his crew if they capture her for him. So they do! And they bring her aboard for the young captain. The maid, for her part, patiently entertains the men with songs, eventually singing them all to sleep. And when they’re out, SHE STEALS ALL THE RICHES and heads back to the shore. Robs them blind, I tells ya!

I have loved this song…..for as long as I can remember. And the character of the maid has been an obsession of mine for just as long. Who is she? Why is she all alone?

First Beckon concept

The story of Beckon is my attempt at solving this mystery for myself. I’ve been doodling and compiling notes and bits of prose for years, building a story inspired by the song. Its all disjointed but still, I know it all fits together somehow. To me, Beckon’s not alone! She’s been raised by creatures of the deep - The Mothers.

“The Ember had sunk. In a blaze of fire that chewed a hole through the hull, the ship went down taking all souls on board to the bottom of the sea. All but one. Now, you should know - mermaids of the North Atlantic are not typically merciful creatures. their stomachs always grumbling for blood. But there was something about the baby. Something that called them to her like a ship to a siren. Something that stirred their hearts to mercy. And so the mermaids didn’t feed that night. Instead, they took the baby for their own. And named her Beckon. And that was how she became their daughter. Beckon, daughter of the sea.” - The Mothers find Beckon. I really hate this drawing haha one of my first attempts drawing a full scene digitally. Blurgh.

And they have an affinity for treasure and the blood of men. They prowl sunken ships for treasure, attracted by shiny baubles and amassing their hoard like dragons. They lurk near sinking ships, pouncing on sailors left adrift in the sea. They beckon sea weary ships to rocks the island, stealing them down into Davy Jones locker.

Johnathan meets The Mothers - “So quiet….I rather fear the quiet…no no, steady on Johnathan. Whatever will the captain think? Nothing to fear. Nothing at all. Quite right.”

I’m attempting to collect all these pieces I’ve saved and finally turn her into a short comic this year - maybe some day I’ll be able to do the whole graphic novel i have in my head, but for now, a short comic will do! I had big plans to do it all in marker and ink, but given the insane amount of birthdays and family events coming up this month, I might have to put a pin in the ink and marker idea for now.

“There is nothing for me out there. My place is here. On my island. With you.” “Always, dear one. With us.”

Captain Thad and Johnathan

And here’s a peak at some of what I’ve come up with for the final comic!

Doodle

Still found time to participate in the official prompt list - this little mermie was for Day 1: Mirror!

What I’m Working On

Mermaids mermaids mermaids mermaids! 🧜‍♀️This is my focus for the month.

I’m also working on my picture book concept whenever I find a moment. Trying to finish up the dummy this month. It’s taking forever! But I’m enjoying drawing in a different style than I’m used to.

What I’m Reading

Careless People by Sara Wynn-Williams - this memoir is DELICIOUS. An inside look at life at Meta and, yeah. Just really enjoying this. Its not only fascinating, its really well written.

And that’s it from me! The merms are calling!

How’s your Mermay going?