Kansas City Welcomes Back Literary Sensation Gillian Flynn
Oh, what a journey it’s been for Gillian Flynn! Just twelve years ago, she was an unemployed journalist, wandering the streets of Chicago, and living a life that could barely pass as modest. A two-dollar paper wine bag served as her purse, and she was expecting a baby. Fast forward to today, and she’s a globe-trotting literary superstar, celebrated for her psychological thrillers like “Gone Girl”, which not only flew off the shelves but also became a massive blockbuster movie!
From Rooftop to Red Carpet
Life has surely taken a turn for this Kansas City native. Although she may have started off without any glamorous backdrop, Flynn has soared to heights that many can only dream about. She spent a decade at Entertainment Weekly before getting laid off, but it was the unforeseen release of “Gone Girl” in 2012 that changed the game entirely. Today, she’s helmed several successful projects on both the big and small screens, and continues to do what she loves most—writing!
Home is Where the Heart Is
Despite all her success, Flynn holds her roots close. She’s lived in Chicago for 17 years, but Kansas City remains home in her heart. “I will always consider myself first and foremost a Kansas Citian,” she emphasized during a recent phone interview. “I have strong memories and deep ties. Some of my best friends came from high school and college in this town.”
Flynn regularly returns to Kansas City to support local causes. In a spectacular show of love for her hometown, she served as both the grand marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March 2015 and the one to flip the switch for the Plaza holiday lights later that year. Though she joked about being part of what might be the “lowest-attended Plaza lights ceremony,” it was a heartwarming testament to her commitment to her roots.
Exciting News on the Horizon
But wait, there’s more! Flynn is returning home on November 21 for a fundraising event at UMKC called Writers for Readers. She’ll be discussing her life and work, but that’s not all. Flynn has exciting plans for the future. In a thrilling announcement, she revealed that within the next two years, she’ll be filming an HBO limited series adaptation of her 2009 novel “Dark Places” in none other than Kansas City.
“It will be fun to fully give people the feel of Kansas City,” she remarked, expressing her pride in showcasing the unique architecture and vibe that the city has to offer. This will mark the first time a Flynn adaptation will be filmed in her home area — how cool is that?
The Witty Writer is Busy!
While Flynn gears up for the Kansas City filming, she’s also got a project that many are buzzing about: she’s working on a remake of “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman” for director Tim Burton! the Flynn version promises to have “dark marbling” without turning into a full-comedy. “It seems like all my projects always turn into Missouri and Kansas,” she laughed. “But I wish we could’ve filmed this here too!”
More Than Just a Master of Suspense
Though it’s been over a decade since she published a novel, Flynn is far from lazy. She’s been hustling hard in screenwriting, adapting her book and overseeing shows. Among her various achievements, she’s helped with adaptations of “Sharp Objects” and “Gone Girl”, contributed to the screenplay for “Widows,” and even run her own publishing imprint. And let’s not forget she is juggling her time as a mother, having homeschooled her kids during the pandemic!
Connect and Support
On November 21, she’ll sit down with fellow author Whitney Terrell at UMKC. The Kansas City Public Library and UMKC’s MFA program in creative writing are hosting the event to support graduate internships for students. Flynn believes it’s vital to support libraries and schools — she’s heartfelt and genuine when she says, “Those causes are incredibly important, especially right now.”
Mark your calendars, folks! Reservations for this incredible literary gathering cost $75, while sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $10,000. If you’re a fan of Flynn’s gripping tales and want to support a noble cause, you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Flynn’s novels have graced many library shelves, but recently, her books have faced challenges — plenty of school districts have been pulling literary works in response to parental objections. But as we gear up for more from Gillian Flynn, one thing is crystal clear: like the enchanting city she hails from, her stories continue to captivate hearts and minds everywhere!
