Gillian Flynn and James Patterson, two literary powerhouses, have come together to assist a children's book author in crafting the perfect ending. On December 11th, the renowned Gone Girl author, now 53 years old, and the Along Came a Spider author, aged 77, made an appearance on NPR's comedy podcast, "How To Do Everything." During the episode, they lent a helping hand to a caller who was struggling to finish his children's book about an umbrella. The story follows an umbrella named Bella who has a love for rain, while her family despises it. The caller had previously turned to his young sons for ideas, but their suggestions involved zombies, robots, and farts. Undeterred, Flynn and Patterson got to work drafting a new ending.

Literary Giants Team Up to Transform a Children's Book

Section 1: Flynn's Perspective on Umbrellas

In typical Flynn thriller fashion, she posited that umbrellas "are like women in erotic thrillers." They are both beautiful and scary simultaneously, she told the hosts. Bella, the umbrella, is almost being "kept prisoner" by her family who resist and reject her innate nature. "Here's this family resisting and actually rejecting who she is innately. I mean that's a horrifying thing. That you are trapped with people who really dislike who you are inherently, as an umbrella," she said, emphasizing her unique pronunciation. "I'm from Kansas City," she added. "I say 'UM-brella.'"

Flynn further suggested that Bella should take matters into her own hands and stop at nothing to get outside in the rain. "Does Bella start getting a little angry? She's got that pointy end that most umbrellas do. I mean I don't want to end with something too dark," she added. "But she could really hold them by umbrella-point and, you know, force them to take her outside."

Section 2: Patterson's Input and Suggestions

Patterson, meanwhile, advocated for going back to the caller's sons' ideas, even if he wasn't initially keen on them. He proposed a new title with the kids' ideas in mind: "It's called Bella and the Farting Ninjas." He described the story in more detail, saying, "Bella is on a boat from Japan. She's with her person, and she calls her person her 'holdme.' And they meet the farting ninjas on board. Bella thinks they are vulgar, uncivilized, juvenile and stinky, of course. Much later, she's very lonely in New York, she's being kept in an umbrella stand more than she'd like to. And one day her 'holdme' pulls her out of the stand. And outside, a New York cop has turned on the fire hydrant in the street. What's this? The farting ninjas are dancing in the hydrant spray. It looks like stinky fun. Bella and her 'holdme' join them. Bella dances with the farting ninjas."

Taking a page from his own books, like the bestselling Alex Cross series, Patterson also suggested that Bella the umbrella could have many sequels. These could include stories where she protects her "holdmes" from the sun, blizzards, and tsunamis, and another where she gets passed down from one "holdme" to the next. "You know, I have this prolific or prodigious imagination or whatever the heck it is I call this sickness," he joked.

Section 3: The Impact and Significance

This collaboration between Gillian Flynn and James Patterson not only showcases their literary skills but also highlights the importance of teamwork in the creative process. By helping the children's book author, they have demonstrated their ability to bring a unique perspective and add value to a story. Their input has transformed the original concept and given it a new life. It serves as a reminder that even in the world of children's literature, great things can happen when creative minds come together.

This collaboration also offers inspiration to other authors and storytellers. It shows that it's never too late to collaborate and bring new ideas to the table. Whether it's through thriller elements like Flynn's or more whimsical ideas like Patterson's, the combination can lead to truly remarkable results.