Tony Wirt's "Silent Creek"

Tony Wirt was born in Lake Mills, IA, and got his first taste of publication in first grade, when his essay on Airplane II: The Sequel appeared in the Lake Mills Elementary School’s Creative Courier.

He's a graduate of the University of Iowa and spent nine years doing media relations in the Hawkeye Athletic Department. He's also been a sportswriter, movie ticket taker and Dairy Queen ice cream slinger who can still do the little curly thing on top of a soft serve cone.

He currently lives in Rochester, MN, with his wife and two daughters.

Here Wirt dreamcasts an adaptation of his new novel, Silent Creek:

Jim McCann was a high school basketball star destined for the NBA. Then an injury shattered his knee and his dreams. Disillusioned, he cut ties with his stifling hometown.

Years later, he returns for his father’s funeral. Finding that his mother has dementia, he reluctantly takes over the family propane business. But there’s a silver lining: reconnecting with Kyle, his childhood best friend, and meeting Kelli, the only one who understands his struggle to fill his own big shoes.

There’s a dark cloud too. Colton Reid, a troubled former classmate, still holds an old basketball grudge. And after Kyle convinces Jim to fire him, the disturbing incidents begin. Nothing too serious at first—until the stalking hits Jim where he lives, unleashing a cascade of grave revelations.

Considering my main character Jim McCann is a 6-8 former basketball player, actor options are limited. I’m going with the guy I had in the back of my mind when writing Jim…former Creighton University star Doug “Dougie McBuckets” McDermott. I don’t know if he can act, but he’s the right age and 6-6 so he’ll look the part.

For our female lead, Kelli, I’m going with Aubrey Plaza. Like Jim, Kelli a former basketball player and Plaza is a huge hoops fan who still plays in a rec league. Or, if we want to stick with ballplayers…give me Kayla McBride of the Lynx, who’s nickname is also McBuckets.

I think Jesse Plemons is phenomenal, so I’d make him Jim’s best friend Kyle. It’s a nuanced roll I think he’d kill.

Finally, for our antagonist Colton Reid, I’ll take Jon Berthal. He can definitely pull off the big, menacing hulk we need. Scruff him up and he’s perfect.

Visit Tony Wirt's website.

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Q&A with Tony Wirt.

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--Marshal Zeringue