Harriet

One of the easier decision I made when I decided to write my books was what to name the central parental couple in Bayou Beni.  I named them George and Harriet, as a tribute to my mom and dad, George and Harriet Marion.

George Marshall is a lot like my dad.  He is a hardworking family man, who adores his wife, children and grandchildren.  He likes to cook and to joke.  He is, like George Marion was, the guy you really want to hang out with at a party.

Harriet Marshall is more complex.  She is a lot like my mom, but different too.  In some ways, I think I gave Harriet Marshall Harriet Marion's dream life.

Harriet Marshall's children all live near her, and they always will.  Her grandchildren will too, and she will always be an everyday presence in their lives.  She worked outside the home for a limited time, and so was able to do the volunteer and church work she loved.  All of her siblings live nearby, and she and George are able to see their extended families on a regular basis.

I know my mom was a happy woman.  I know she loved my dad and her life with him.  I also know she would have preferred that I never moved away.  And that my brother would have never moved away.  I know she would have preferred to have all of her grandchildren close by, and would have loved to have a pack of them.

I couldn't live my life to give Harriet what she wanted.  I had to make the best life I could for me and my daughter.  Some of the choices I made were hard on my mom.  I know that.  Life is not a novel, and often what we have is only the best bad choice available.  That said, I feel good about most of my choices, and am proud of the life I built in Louisiana.

But it also comforts me in a strange way to give Harriet Marshall the things I couldn't give Harriet Marion.  Children and grandchildren who never move away.  Lots and lots of grandchildren. 

The beauty of fiction is that the writer can make the world the way they wish it was.  While there are always problems to solve in Bayou Beni, I am able to give Harriet the tools to solve them.  And that is the way that Harriet Marshall is most like my mom.  She wants everyone to be happy.  She wants everyone to have what they need. She wants to solve problems for people.

Harriet Marion was happiest when she was making other people happy.  I'm grateful that through Harriet Marshall I am able to share that aspect of my mother with the world.