How did Patricia Neal select Fannie Flagg as her name?

Patricia Neal chose the name Fannie Flagg as her pen name by combining her grandmother's name, Fannie, with her mother's maiden name, Flagg. This choice reflected her desire to honor her family heritage while also creating a memorable and distinctive name for her writing career. The name became widely recognized through her successful novels, including "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe."