I became fascinated by Cajun culture when I was a student at Tulane University. During a visit to Louisiana after graduation, my friend Jan and I drove up the east bank of River Road, and we were drawn to a dilapidated but stunning plantation. It was glorious architecturally but in total disrepair. Yet a woman was offering tours. Her name was Gaynell Bourgeois Moore, and she worked for the only member of the Hayward family who refused to okay a sale of the plantation, Ashland-Belle Helene, to Shell Oil Company.
Even though Gaynell was more than twenty-five years my senior, we struck up a friendship. A self-taught artist, musician, and writer, she was a total delight. But I was in my twenties and living the life of a single New Yorker, so we lost touch.
Fast-forward to 1997:
I’m a married television writer living in Los Angeles. I take my husband on a trip to Louisiana, where we wander through the bayous and back roads. We drive up River Road and stop at Houmas House, one of the great icons of Plantation Country. I mention to a saleswoman in the gift shop that I had a friend named Gaynell who once worked at Ashland-Belle Helene. The woman says, “Gaynell? She’s working here.” She calls for Gaynell on her walkie-talkie, and Gaynell runs in wearing her full tour guide regalia of hoop skirt, ball gown, and accessories. Our friendship is rekindled, now for life.
Houmas House inspired Doucet Plantation in
Plantation Shudders
. Crozat Plantation B and B was inspired by Madewood Plantation, where my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful evening’s respite. And Grove Hall was inspired by my beloved Ashland-Belle Helene, which was eventually sold to Shell Oil. Years later, it still sits waiting for a promised restoration. Grove Hall will meet a happier fate in Book Two of the series. (Sidebar: in my mind, Crozat looks like Ashland-Belle Helene and Doucet looks like Madewood. Writer’s prerogative!)
When I was writing
Plantation Shudders
, I knew I wanted to name a character after Gaynell. My protagonist is Magnolia “Maggie” Crozat, an aspiring artist who has returned home after living in New York for ten years. I called Gaynell and told her that she could choose between Maggie’s grandmother, a
mischievous grand dame, or a nineteen-year-old friend Maggie has made while working as a tour guide at a local plantation. And seventysomething Gaynell quickly responded in her inimitable Cajun accent, “Oh, I’d like to be the nineteen-year-old.”
So she is.
*
Lagniappe: a small gift given with a purchase to a customer by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus. Also defined as “a little something extra.”
I am eternally grateful to many people for their support and input on
Plantation Shudders.
Thanks to my awesome agent, Doug Grad, and to editorial director Matthew Martz and editorial assistant Nike Power, the wonders behind Crooked Lane Books. Without this trifecta of talent, there would be no
Cajun Country Mysteries
. A big thanks to Rick Copp and Connie Archer for their generosity. Linda Konner, I will forever owe you for your invaluable advice throughout my journey. Thanks to my beloved brothers, Tony and David Seideman, for their love and support. A big shout-out to my patient and gifted TV writing partner, Lissa Kapstrom. Lisa Q. Mathews, you are, and always will be, my mystery BFF. Thank you, Kelly Goode and Lisa Libatique, for putting up with my walk ’n talks—and you, too, Kim Rose! Nancy Adler, Laura Graff, and June Stoddard, my friendship with each of you inspires me every day. Karen Fried and Denise and Stacy Smithers—ditto! Thanks to my Louisiana crew for all their help—that’s you, Laurie and Walter Becker, Gaynell Bourgeois Moore, and Jan Gilbert. The same
goes for my Texas crew, Pam and Jon Shaffer and Charlotte Waguespack Allen, who does double duty as my source for great anecdotes about her illustrious Louisiana family. Tulane University, you are not a person, but without you, I honestly don’t know if I ever would have become a writer.
And finally, words can’t express my gratitude to Mindy Schneider for including me when she decided to start a writers group with Kathy McCullough, Kate Schein, and Teri Wagener. I’m honored and blessed to be in the company of such talented women. Thank you.