I am drawn to bits of trivia, quotations, factoids--- things that I will never need to know lodge in my brain and stick there. I say I have a “magpie mind.”
However, I evidently need to reconsider this characterization, as I have just discovered that the reputation that magpies have for collecting shiny objects is false. According to the Audubon Society, the theory was recently put to the test by actual scientists with actual magpies, and found to be untrue. The Audubon article also outlined how the myth probably traces back to –of all things—the 1815 Rossini opera called The Thieving Magpie. In it a maid about to be sent to the gallows for stealing from her employer is saved when it is discovered that a magpie had hidden the purloined silver in the church tower!
So now this amazing bit of trivia will also stick in my –should I call it Velcro brain? Lint trap mind? I have to come up with a new self-description, but I still like the bird metaphor. (Wings of thought, anyone?) Supposedly Bower Birds do collect things, but the things they gather are almost always blue. Hmmmm.
Perhaps I should ignore the science and stick with “magpie mind”, leaning into the common usage that is still culturally current (if anybody has seen the British TV series, “The Detectorists” you know what I mean.)
ANYWAY (Deep breath)...
Among the metaphorical shiny objects I have tucked into my grey matter are well-turned phrases and quotations. But over the years, these bits of borrowed wisdom have tended to blend, as truths and quotations on similar topics knit together, embellishing each other.
For example: on page 9 of You Should Have Known, Frannie is thinking about her husband, and how she has to get older without him. She remembers reading somewhere that “old age is like visiting another country.” As I was writing, I had thought the line was from May Sarton. But when I looked, I could not find the quote. Eventually I realized I had made a mélange: a dash of Sarton, a pinch of LP Hartley, all flavoring one of my favorite quotes from Faulkner, and informed by behavioral psychologist BF Skinner.
Faulkner “The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
LP Hartley “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”
BF Skinner “Old age is rather like another country. You will enjoy it more if you have prepared yourself before you go.”
I love the way these thinkers describe the past as at once familiar and unfamiliar, always with us but untouchable; and the notion of aging as both a foreign place and a preordained destination.
EVENTS
I am heading to Greece tomorrow, for a residency at the Skopelos Foundation for the Arts! So I most likely will not be posting till I get back. In the meantime, the podcasts and articles below are worth seeking out.
I have some additional things in the works, including a signing at the American Library Association, and perhaps some more stops, updates after I return.
ARTICLES
Writer’s Digest
My article is out:“How to Keep Readers Connected When Your Protagonist Does Something Reprehensible” https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-characters/5-tips-to-keep-readers-connected-to-your-protagonist-even-when-she-does-something-awful
CrimeReads
I love the image they used for my article A READING LIST OF MULTI-GENERATIONAL MISCHIEF: 7 crime novels that use "different ages as a kind of framing device"(This is the sister publication of LitHub) https://crimereads.com/author/rebeccakeller/
UPCOMING: Women Writers/ Women’s Books
Look for it later in May: an article on multi generational dynamics in YSHK
FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS
Upcoming
Little Village, Des Moines
The Writer’s Forum, with Michael Tusa, WRBH New Orleans
Read:
The Wednesday Journal, Oak Park
https://www.oakpark.com/2023/04/11/artist-turned-scribe-depicts-a-morally-complex-life/
The Daily Iowan
https://dailyiowan.com/2023/04/26/ask-the-author-rebecca-keller/
PODCASTS and LIVESTREAMS
getting in your way.
Turn the Page
The official podcast from the Syosset public library in Long Island! (I love librarians!)
Late Bloomer Living
This was a fabulous conversation with Yvonne Marchese
https://www.latebloomerliving.com/blog/episode-143-you-should-have-known-with-rebecca-keller?fbclid=IwAR0qtPVc8JsSOy5woLGLv0mirSJl-ub56CWxIw-TlY1FGDo06Fskh1F4wYw
Carter Wilson's Making It Up
In this conversation series USA today best selling author talks with writers of all backgrounds in order to find out why they do what they do...childhood influences, roots of creativity, luck and loss, tools of the craft, and the highs and lows of publishing. At the end of the conversation, a random sentence from a random book is used it to create an impromptu short story.
Kris Clink's The Writing Table
A podcast for writers and book lovers. Whether you're a newbie-author or a reader, pull up a chair and learn from established authors, publicists, bloggers, and creatives. There is always room at the writing table.
Game of Books
This one has dropped already: https://gameofbookspodcast.com/crime-book-chat-april-2023/
Game of Books, a podcast where you can get valuable writing information and follow along on the journey to conquer the World of Publishing. Cathi in the North and Christie in the South start begin with novel ideas in the Land of Writing. They each become Queen of their Domain (just ask their kids) and have moved into the Land of Querying. Each time they think they are going to become the all elusive Author in the World of Publishing, a new land pops up … Land of Editing, Land of Contracts, Land of Promoting, Land of Readers, etc. Luckily they are recording their adventures and pitfalls for future generations in the Land of Writing.
Murder by the Book
In the past 15 months, Sara DiVello’s hosted nearly 100 mystery and thriller authors—ranging from celebrities including Dean Koontz, Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwall, Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Dr. Ian K. Smith—to debut authors. Video of the livestram below
Coming up!
The Writer’s Forum/Michael Tusa, New Orleans Public Radio
Michael Tusa is such a perceptive reader and interviewer.
A Bookable Space with Yvonne Battle-Felton
A Bookable Space is your audio literary salon. Each episode features writers delivering three engaging readings and answering three interesting questions. Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, author of Remembered. Here's the link for the show: https://shows.acast.com/bookable-space
Hey Boomer
You are ready to live your best life, but sometimes wonder where to begin or how to make it happen. You would really like some insight into what is
The A Bookable Space with Yvonne Battle-Felton
A Bookable Space is your audio literary salon. Each episode features writers delivering three engaging readings and answering three interesting questions. Hosted by Yvonne Battle-Felton, author of Remembered. Here's the link for the show: https://shows.acast.com/bookable-space