What do I remember? and why was it so important?
Partly it was a recreation in fiction of my own life and feelings. Partially it is that having once created these characters, the poignancy of not letting them live, touches my heart, brings tears to my eyes.
But I coiuld never write the novel. Maybe now, after 20 years, I can write enough to let you know why I was so passionately wanting to write that novel and others.
This is a novel about Seattle. About Incest. About power and struggle, a woman who wanted nothing more than to understand why she had been created so unhappy, and accidently wound up running a hosptial, fascinated by the creation of life, and eventually went barefoot to China.
Jan Haag is a novelist, poet, painter, textile artist, and former Director of National Production Programs for the American Film Institute.
Jan Haag may be reached via e-mail: jhaag@u.washington.edu