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Inside Gillian Flynn's Dark and Rage-Filled Empire
You're about to be hearing a lot from Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, beginning this month with HBO's eight-episode adaptation of her debut novel, Sharp Objects, starring Amy Adams. The series will take readers back to the town of Wind Gap, Missouri. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: She must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. She'll also have to face her neurotic mother and the half-sister she barely knows.
But that's just the first entry from Flynn. There's also a Steve McQueen film, an Amazon TV show, and—of course—that long-awaited book her fans have been clamoring for.
But that's just the first entry from Flynn. There's also a Steve McQueen film, an Amazon TV show, and—of course—that long-awaited book her fans have been clamoring for.
Goodreads: So your debut is finally getting the adaptation treatment. How does it feel to see your first book come to the screen?
Gillian Flynn: It’s vindication. I always felt that this was a book that felt so ripe for the screen. It’s also just a vindication of people seeing it and discovering it. It was a book that a lot of people weren’t that interested in. It got good reviews, but it was not a screaming success, let’s put it that way. And, to me, it’s a great f---ing book.
It's a book about dangerous women. And because it was a book about female rage and female violence, it was—particularly at that time—a topic that people weren’t that ready or interested in talking about. That was 2005, and when we were trying to sell [the film rights], we heard a lot of, "You know, maybe the next book. Maybe not this one."
Goodreads: It seems that your books have changed the mystery and thriller genre in that way, by bringing forward these female characters who are imperfect, who do show rage and violence.
GF: Yeah, it took a while. I mean, Dark Places came along, and Libby’s a really unlikable female narrator and she’s full of rage. She kicks people, and beats people, and attacks people. And people weren’t that into that one, either! And that’s a great book, as far as I’m concerned. I mean, I love that book, personally. I’m proud of that book. Again, it was a time period that those kinds of books weren't common, that I know of. Certainly not as common as they are now. Now you can walk into a bookstore and say, "I want a book with a dark female narrator," and they can walk you over to any number of books. That did not happen back then.
It goes along with time’s changing. To me it’s no surprise that Sharp Objects is coming to life right with the #MeToo movement, with the #TimesUp movement, that women have, over this 12-year time period, found rage and found their voices and said "enough."
Goodreads: You're an executive producer and wrote three of Sharp Objects' eight episodes. What can fans of your book expect from the series?
GF: It’s a loyal adaptation, but you get to see all its warts…here is a phantasmagoria of a place brought to life. There’s no other place like Wind Gap. So to get to see it bloom to life, to get to see Adora's lush Victorian house and her hog farm and Wind Gap's parks and lush places, where it seems if you left a car for too long, a vine would grow over it. You'll see the femaleness of the place and the ominousness of the place. You can feel that in a way that’s so striking. And to see the actors and actresses really bring these people to life is really something different and exciting.
Because we did have that room in the series, we were able to play with more subplots and add a few more twists. It’s faithful to the book, but we’re able to take a few more loop-de-loops and add a few more weird cul-de-sacs to Wind Gap. And play with certain characters’ backstories. You get to know more about a few more characters…we just got to have room to play with those characters and grow them more. And say, "What would these people be like? What would they be doing?" It’s fun to get to revisit it now. I had not looked at it in those 12 years since it’s been published. And to look back and say, "No, really, what was the deal with this guy?"
Goodreads: What did you find is the main difference between adapting your novels from films versus the series?
GF: It’s purely the decadence of not having to figure out what to include and what not to include. Just being able to sit and have a big feast in the writers' room and say, "OK, here it all is!" Then it becomes more about "Where do we put it all, and how do we do it?" We just get to enjoy it.
Goodreads: What's your review of the adaptation?
GF: It lives up to its gothic creepiness. It keeps all the female rage and isn’t afraid of that. It doesn’t try to make Camille into some likable, easy-to-digest female. It presents her in all of her difficult true character and lets you decide.
Goodreads: You are a very busy woman! In addition to your work on Sharp Objects, you also co-wrote the upcoming film Widows with director Steve McQueen, and wrote and serve as showrunner on the American adaptation of the U.K. television series Utopia for Amazon. And that's just the TV and film work. You're also signed up to take on Hamlet as part of The Hogarth Shakespeare series, and then there's the secret book you're currently working on!
GF: This is a house that runs on Red Bull and 5-hour Energy right now!
Goodreads: How are you balancing the work you're doing for television and film with your writing?
GF: I get up kind of early and write on my novel. And that is kind of coming together the way Sharp Objects did, which is piece by piece, and then all of a sudden you look up and it’s done.
And then the other thing I’m doing, which the writing is completed for, is I wrote all nine episodes of a show called Utopia, which is an adaptation of a U.K. series that’s about a group of comic book nerds that come across a graphic novel that may be hinting to a possible end of the world. Light stuff like that! I created and am showrunning that, and it will go into production at the end of the year.
Goodreads: You seem to be building your own media empire!
GF: It’s sort of interesting…I mean, in a way, it makes perfect sense if you look at my parents and my childhood. My parents were junior college teachers. And my mom taught reading, she had her master’s degree in reading, and she taught reading comprehension. She was always putting a book in my hand. And my dad taught theater and film. So I was constantly either going to the movies with my dad or reading with my mom. I was constantly toggling back and forth in those worlds. And so now, I’m still kind of doing that! For me, it feels so right and perfect.
It’s just being able to maintain it. I can’t possibly maintain this level I'm at right now, so as soon as I’m done with Utopia, I’m excited to go back to purely the book world for a couple years. Because I do owe—I make it sound like the Mob—"I do owe a number of people some books! They’re going to come after me pretty soon!"
But it’s true. As much as I love the collaboration of TV and movies, I’m actually ready to go back to my little hidey-hole for a year or two and be in book land and write those books, because I know exactly what they are, I just need the time.
And what happened is I got swept up in Utopia, and I just love the idea so much, I get so excited about that. But, yeah, as soon as I’m done with that, I’m going back to book land for a little bit.
Goodreads: What can you tell us about the book you're working on? We're all dying to read it!
GF: I’m not saying too much, but it’s kind of an ensemble. There’s a shifting number of voices, about four different characters. I will say that I started writing it right after President Trump got elected. But I’m not saying too much more…. It’s political, well, it’s mainly a dark psychological thriller, for the most part. I think that’s the most accurate way to say it.
Goodreads: I’ve read that you’ve described it as an alternative reality set in the current time. Is that accurate?
GF: It has shifted since then, but I think that’s still fair to say.
Goodreads: Gone Girl was one of the most successful thrillers of the last 20 years. How did its success change your life?
GF: It’s given me the chance to write more, that’s basically been the great thing about it. I mean, I would say before Gone Girl, I was always proving myself so that I could write. And hoping that I would always be able to write for a living, which was my dream. And Gone Girl has given me that calling card and confidence that I would be able to be a writer forever. I feel that under my feet, which is a great place to be able to write from: to know that I can experiment more, that I can try more things, that I’ll always have that ability to stretch even more.
Goodreads: Your books are so dark. How do you get in that frame of mind? Where do you go mentally to write these characters?
GF: It’s frighteningly easy for me to slip into the darkness; it’s crawling back out that’s trickier. I’m an empath, so I can get into most people’s brain space. I think most writers are. You grow up feeling like an outsider, and grow up trying to figure people out and what makes them tick. And you have that sort of ability.
Goodreads: What books are you currently reading and recommending to friends?
GF: I loved This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins, How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Like everyone else, I loved Tangerine by Christine Mangan. And then, randomly, the one I just finished reading was The Murder at Sissingham Hall. I finished it last night, and it’s by Clara Benson. It's absolutely delightful, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of Sarah Caudwell, or Agatha Christie, or anyone who loves really clever British murder mysteries set in the '20s. I’m literally going to read the next book in the series tonight.
Gillian Flynn: It’s vindication. I always felt that this was a book that felt so ripe for the screen. It’s also just a vindication of people seeing it and discovering it. It was a book that a lot of people weren’t that interested in. It got good reviews, but it was not a screaming success, let’s put it that way. And, to me, it’s a great f---ing book.
It's a book about dangerous women. And because it was a book about female rage and female violence, it was—particularly at that time—a topic that people weren’t that ready or interested in talking about. That was 2005, and when we were trying to sell [the film rights], we heard a lot of, "You know, maybe the next book. Maybe not this one."
Goodreads: It seems that your books have changed the mystery and thriller genre in that way, by bringing forward these female characters who are imperfect, who do show rage and violence.
GF: Yeah, it took a while. I mean, Dark Places came along, and Libby’s a really unlikable female narrator and she’s full of rage. She kicks people, and beats people, and attacks people. And people weren’t that into that one, either! And that’s a great book, as far as I’m concerned. I mean, I love that book, personally. I’m proud of that book. Again, it was a time period that those kinds of books weren't common, that I know of. Certainly not as common as they are now. Now you can walk into a bookstore and say, "I want a book with a dark female narrator," and they can walk you over to any number of books. That did not happen back then.
It goes along with time’s changing. To me it’s no surprise that Sharp Objects is coming to life right with the #MeToo movement, with the #TimesUp movement, that women have, over this 12-year time period, found rage and found their voices and said "enough."
Goodreads: You're an executive producer and wrote three of Sharp Objects' eight episodes. What can fans of your book expect from the series?
Because we did have that room in the series, we were able to play with more subplots and add a few more twists. It’s faithful to the book, but we’re able to take a few more loop-de-loops and add a few more weird cul-de-sacs to Wind Gap. And play with certain characters’ backstories. You get to know more about a few more characters…we just got to have room to play with those characters and grow them more. And say, "What would these people be like? What would they be doing?" It’s fun to get to revisit it now. I had not looked at it in those 12 years since it’s been published. And to look back and say, "No, really, what was the deal with this guy?"
Goodreads: What did you find is the main difference between adapting your novels from films versus the series?
GF: It’s purely the decadence of not having to figure out what to include and what not to include. Just being able to sit and have a big feast in the writers' room and say, "OK, here it all is!" Then it becomes more about "Where do we put it all, and how do we do it?" We just get to enjoy it.
Goodreads: What's your review of the adaptation?
GF: It lives up to its gothic creepiness. It keeps all the female rage and isn’t afraid of that. It doesn’t try to make Camille into some likable, easy-to-digest female. It presents her in all of her difficult true character and lets you decide.
Goodreads: You are a very busy woman! In addition to your work on Sharp Objects, you also co-wrote the upcoming film Widows with director Steve McQueen, and wrote and serve as showrunner on the American adaptation of the U.K. television series Utopia for Amazon. And that's just the TV and film work. You're also signed up to take on Hamlet as part of The Hogarth Shakespeare series, and then there's the secret book you're currently working on!
Goodreads: How are you balancing the work you're doing for television and film with your writing?
GF: I get up kind of early and write on my novel. And that is kind of coming together the way Sharp Objects did, which is piece by piece, and then all of a sudden you look up and it’s done.
And then the other thing I’m doing, which the writing is completed for, is I wrote all nine episodes of a show called Utopia, which is an adaptation of a U.K. series that’s about a group of comic book nerds that come across a graphic novel that may be hinting to a possible end of the world. Light stuff like that! I created and am showrunning that, and it will go into production at the end of the year.
Goodreads: You seem to be building your own media empire!
GF: It’s sort of interesting…I mean, in a way, it makes perfect sense if you look at my parents and my childhood. My parents were junior college teachers. And my mom taught reading, she had her master’s degree in reading, and she taught reading comprehension. She was always putting a book in my hand. And my dad taught theater and film. So I was constantly either going to the movies with my dad or reading with my mom. I was constantly toggling back and forth in those worlds. And so now, I’m still kind of doing that! For me, it feels so right and perfect.
It’s just being able to maintain it. I can’t possibly maintain this level I'm at right now, so as soon as I’m done with Utopia, I’m excited to go back to purely the book world for a couple years. Because I do owe—I make it sound like the Mob—"I do owe a number of people some books! They’re going to come after me pretty soon!"
But it’s true. As much as I love the collaboration of TV and movies, I’m actually ready to go back to my little hidey-hole for a year or two and be in book land and write those books, because I know exactly what they are, I just need the time.
And what happened is I got swept up in Utopia, and I just love the idea so much, I get so excited about that. But, yeah, as soon as I’m done with that, I’m going back to book land for a little bit.
Goodreads: What can you tell us about the book you're working on? We're all dying to read it!
GF: I’m not saying too much, but it’s kind of an ensemble. There’s a shifting number of voices, about four different characters. I will say that I started writing it right after President Trump got elected. But I’m not saying too much more…. It’s political, well, it’s mainly a dark psychological thriller, for the most part. I think that’s the most accurate way to say it.
Goodreads: I’ve read that you’ve described it as an alternative reality set in the current time. Is that accurate?
GF: It has shifted since then, but I think that’s still fair to say.
Goodreads: Gone Girl was one of the most successful thrillers of the last 20 years. How did its success change your life?
GF: It’s given me the chance to write more, that’s basically been the great thing about it. I mean, I would say before Gone Girl, I was always proving myself so that I could write. And hoping that I would always be able to write for a living, which was my dream. And Gone Girl has given me that calling card and confidence that I would be able to be a writer forever. I feel that under my feet, which is a great place to be able to write from: to know that I can experiment more, that I can try more things, that I’ll always have that ability to stretch even more.
Goodreads: Your books are so dark. How do you get in that frame of mind? Where do you go mentally to write these characters?
GF: It’s frighteningly easy for me to slip into the darkness; it’s crawling back out that’s trickier. I’m an empath, so I can get into most people’s brain space. I think most writers are. You grow up feeling like an outsider, and grow up trying to figure people out and what makes them tick. And you have that sort of ability.
Goodreads: What books are you currently reading and recommending to friends?
GF: I loved This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins, How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Like everyone else, I loved Tangerine by Christine Mangan. And then, randomly, the one I just finished reading was The Murder at Sissingham Hall. I finished it last night, and it’s by Clara Benson. It's absolutely delightful, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of Sarah Caudwell, or Agatha Christie, or anyone who loves really clever British murder mysteries set in the '20s. I’m literally going to read the next book in the series tonight.
The HBO eight-episode series based on Flynn's Sharp Objects premieres on July 8.
Check out more recent blogs:
July's Poetry Contest Winner: Portrait of My Family as a Pack of Cigarettes
The Best Audiobooks of 2018
What Is the Perfect Beach Read Anyway?
Check out more recent blogs:
July's Poetry Contest Winner: Portrait of My Family as a Pack of Cigarettes
The Best Audiobooks of 2018
What Is the Perfect Beach Read Anyway?
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Jul 10, 2018 01:51PM
Sharp Objects and Dark Spaces had me hooked. I have always loved the dark and twisty reads, something to escape my reality and see lead women characters get angry and dark. I couldn't but them down. I loved Gone Girl but was not a fan of the movie adaptation. I am hoping the HBO series of Sharp Objects is better.
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I just read her short story in the anthology Rogues. While that novel has been pretty hit or miss, her story was definitely a standout. Creepy as all get out...gave me chills and had a twisty climax. l also read Gone Girl and gave it 4 Stars (would have given it 4.5 if Goodreads gave half stars). Her genre of writing is not my go-to (way down the list) but for something different she is great. If you like creepy and obsessive characters, plot twists and suspense than she is a must read. I'll pass on the HBO series but do wish her luck. She is definitely a talent.
Gone Girl is one of my favorite reads!! It got me interested in thrillers/mysteries again!
I just reread "Sharp Objects". I've read all her other books. As a male, I'm a little uncomfortable in Gillian Flynn's world, but I don't think she wants any of us to comfortable. She has brought something new to the table, and I'm fascinated by her work. Hope to see the HBO series.
Clint wrote: "Gillian Flynn seems like a classy, professional woman. I wish that she did not feel compelled to use the profanity (F-bomb). Otherwise, it was a good informative interview."Since studies have linked fluency in swearing with higher intelligence, perhaps she was just showing off. ;)
I love Gillian Flynn's books - just came here to say that to counter those that come to say they don't like or don't read her books :-)
I read Gone Girl and loved it. The movie didn’t do it justice in my opinion. Does anyone know when the HBO limited series goes on. I’m looking forward to seeing it!!
Anissa wrote: "I haven't read anything by Flynn yet. I honestly feel like I'm one of a handful who hasn't read Gone Girl. But, I do intend on reading Tangerine soon."I actually hated 'Gone Girl'. Maybe one likable character, a minor one. Loved 'Sharp Objects', however. Found the main character damaged but not unlikable.
Emily wrote: "Sharp Objects IMO is Flynn’s best novel. Dark, twisty and surprising. I always thought while reading it that it would make a great movie or show, even more so then her others, so I’m super excited ..."Agreed. Didn't like 'Gone Girl' at all, but I read this one in 3 sittings. If I could have stayed awake, it would have been one.
Thank you for sharing the interview with Gillian Flynn. Dark Places was the 1st of her books that I read. I loved it. Then Gone Girl. I read Sharp Objects just last year! I am watching the series as it was on last night. The 1st eposide was brilliant.
I don't think there could ever be too much Gillian Flynn.
I read 51 pages of "Gone Girl" and it made me want to be gone. I hated it. So much cute writing. Such BS. Where is the truth? Isn't that what writing is all about?
I watched the movie and it was mostly BS, too.
I only liked one scene. Oh well, people like different things.
Apologies to all those who loved both.
I read Gone Girl and immensely enjoyed it, and then I discovered Sharp Objects and Dark Places, and Gone Girl suddenly became my least favorite of the three! I loved Sharp Objects and I’m so happy it became a series...and I also think that Jean-Marc Vallée did a splendid job with Big Little Lies and I can’t wait to see how he spun this one!!
What a huge talent! It's a pleasure reading her unique books that dive into the human soul and reveal to us so much about ourselves and about others. Looking forward to reading her new novel!
Recommended gone girl to everyone when it came out. Discovered sharp objects by accident and would be fascinated to see it in film form. Wanted to recommend stuart macbride, scottish author to you as he is dark, dark and funny. Funny how i'm suddenly aware of my grammar, gawd.
Anissa wrote: "I haven't read anything by Flynn yet. I honestly feel like I'm one of a handful who hasn't read Gone Girl. But, I do intend on reading Tangerine soon."
I am one of them as well.
I am one of them as well.
If I'd read her idea that these are angry females and relevant to the "me too" era, which is really just a hashtag, I never would have read her. Luckily I didn't know anything about the books when I read them. Because they're wonderful. I love her narrators, and aside from some crazy criminal choices they make, their attitudes make sense to me.
Jocelyn wrote: "Julie wrote: "Janice wrote: "I don't go for dark reads."So why even comment then?"
Some people always feel like they have to comment. It's like the people on Amazon.com who answer all the questi..."
Ohhh goodness, Jocelyn. Your analogy cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh this morning! :)
After I read Gone Girl, I snatched up and read Sharp Objects and Dark Places. And honestly, I liked those two as much as (maybe more) than Gone Girl. All great! Cannot wait to see the Sharp Objects series, and read the NEW book! LOVE Gillian's writing style - please keep writing these amazing, unpredictable, twisty thrillers!
I have read Gone Girl and seen the movie " GONE GIRL", I have not read anything else of Gillian Flynn's yet. But, I will most definitely be adding to my book collection ... Thanks to you Gillian Flynn I have been entertained .... Good Luck on your future progress of books and movies .Big Hugs from A Fan
Fabulous interview! Gillian Flynn is a goddess. The first episode of Sharp Objects was a 10/10 imo - impeccable writing, acting, cinematography, editing, music, aesthetic, just everything. I can't wait for her next novel!
I have read all of Gillian’s books and love them all. Gone Girl and Dark Places have been my favorite ones but I look forward to watching Sharp Objects in HBO
Sharp Objects is my favorite of her books so far. Most certainly worth the read prior to watching the show.The screen adaptations of all of her books have done a terrific job of capturing the dank, dirty, damaged characters and their environments. The Dark Places movie was spot on to the book, yet it didn't get great reviews, even with Charlize as the main character!
I can't wait to read what's next. Great stuff!
Amber wrote: "Good luck on the HBO series, but sorry you are not on my reading radar, Ms. Flynn. You and Dan Brown are authors I would probably never read cuz the books don't look interesting to me. I don't watc..."YES!
I'm just wondering if this were a "dark male narrator" if it would even be a thing.
Marilyn wrote: "I'm just wondering if this were a "dark male narrator" if it would even be a thing."I like to think so. Bret Easton Ellis & Chuck Palahniuk are very good at the "dark male narrator" & those works are definitely hailed as "a thing". I can also say that Araminta Hall did well with that in Our Kind of Cruelty.
Thanks for sharing. The book is fantastic. I like the show, too, and Amy Adams. So we'll done.
Can't wait for the next book!
Gone Girl was a favorite of mine and sort of opened my eyes to the possibilities within darker lit. I had always sort of avoided it thinking it would be too creepy, scary, unsettling, etc. I loved it and the mystery of watching things unfold. I haven’t read Sharp Objects but will be doing so very soon! Loved reading the interview!!
I'm probably in the minority here, but I enjoyed 'Sharp Objects' and 'Dark Places' much more than I did 'Gone Girl' And as for the the films/tv series, I always love the books more... I mean, seriously what book lover doesn't? But having seen both "Gone Girl" and "Dark Places" I admit, I am very curious to watch the "Sharp Objects" series, and see how closely it sticks to the novel.
The books are always better than the film because the story is always tweaked. Hence screen writers. Also when reading a book we use our imagination.
Aprime example is Jo Nesboro's The Snowman the book was brilliant but the film was crap.
I am recording Sharp Objects but haven't watched it yet as i am afraid i will be disappointed.
Aprime example is Jo Nesboro's The Snowman the book was brilliant but the film was crap.
I am recording Sharp Objects but haven't watched it yet as i am afraid i will be disappointed.
Senura wrote: "Can't wait for her new book...I don't really care about movies or tv series based on her books cause they can never capture the darkness or the depth that Gillian offers. Kinda liked the Gone Girl ..."me too!
Cassi wrote: "Sharp Objects is my favorite Gilliam Flynn book. I keep trying to get people to read it. I have read and own all works by her and cannot wait for her new stuff. 😊"me too!
Wonderful interview. Sharp objects was the first book I read by Flynn and is my favorite of the 3. Was thrilled about the series coming out. So far it is knocking it out of the park. Never stop writing and thank you for daring to take your characters to places most of us can’t imagine going on our own. Waiting anxiously for the next one!!!
When do you Sleep ??? Loving the series of Sharp Objects! Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson are incredible. It feels like Twin Peaks meeting True Detective but of course not it is an Original Gillian Flynn ! I am looking forward to more ! Thank You for your hard work !
Dawn
Down in Oxford, Mississippi
Terrific interview. I adore Flynn’s books and that Sharp Objects is on TV. Amy Adams is superb. Great cast in general. Wonderfully creepy town.
Flynn is my favorite author! I’ve read all of her books and I’m excited for the new one! The HBO show was excellent
Gone Girl was my gateway book to thriller mysteries! I have read everything written by Gillian Flynn and enjoyed the HBO series. Will it be continued?
I loved Dark Places and Sharp Objects, also that little book The Grownup. Not so much Gone Girl, even though it’s the most famous - that switching between 1st and 3rd person is really jarring.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was definitely a page-turner.
