When Good Folks Do Bad
You Should Have Known is a morally complicated story that asks: what might someone do if they thought they wouldn’t suffer the consequences? But there is perhaps an earlier question to ask: what would lead an intelligent and ethical person to think she might not suffer consequences in the first place?
You Should Have Known begins at a moment of great change for Frannie—at the urging of her children, she is about to move into the Ridgewood Senior Apartments. Our society operates with a lot of unexamined assumptions about older people. There is a common belief that older folks don’t do much of anything. Old women especially become generic and invisible. But as Frannie grapples with an urge to vengeance, she recognizes that invisibility can be an asset. Who would suspect her? Frannie also sees paradoxical freedom in being near the end of life. Even if she were caught, how much accountability would be demanded from an old woman...especially one who has always lived an upstanding life? She would likely not suffer any consequences.
But of course she was fooling herself. She had gotten older, but she was still herself—in possession of her intellect, her internal bullshit detectors, and her moral compass. Her anger at injustice did not outweigh a lifetime habit of doing the right thing. And despite her wisdom, she did not count on her own conscience exacting such a deep and punishing toll.
Getting to know Frannie’s intelligence and wit, her sardonic humor, her love for her family and her honesty—and exploring how anger tempted her off the straight and narrow and her mortification at her own behavior was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of writing the book.
UPDATES:
BOOK EVENTS AND READINGS
These programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
April 4, 6 pm
An Evening With Three Authors: Jess Lourey, Rebecca Keller and Cara Black
Once Upon A Crime
604 West 26th Street, Mpls, MN
https://onceuponacrimebooks.indielite.org/event/cara-black-night-flight-paris-rebecca-keller-you-should-have-known-jess-lourey
April 6, 7 pm
Authors on Tap: Rebecca Keller and Tracy Clark
Exile In Bookville BE SURE TO RSVP!!!!
10 S. Michigan Ave, 2nd floor of the historic Fine Arts Building
https://exileinbookville.com/events/20230406
April 23
Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City!!! With Abby Geni!!
So psyched this is happening! Details soon.
EXHIBITIONS
April 1- May 7, Opening reception April 16 1-5 pm
All the Water that Ever Was, Now Is
Evanston Art Center
Comprised of large paintings, a sculptural installation, research into agencies that care for our water, and demographic data of the communities that share Lake Michigan water accessible via QR codes, All The Water That Ever Was, Now Is engages the idea of water as a commons, a contended resource and a mutual responsibility. The dialogue touches on livelihoods, access, pollution, wealth, ownership, usage, climate change and fears and obligations for the future.
https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/exhibitions/rebecca-keller
PODCASTS
In the coming months I’m going to be a guest on several podcasts, (details to follow as drop dates become finalized). These include:
Turn the Page
The official podcast from the Syosset public library in Long Island! (I love librarians!)
Game of Books
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.
Late Bloomer Living
Reimagine your future! Create a better life!
https://www.latebloomerliving.com/podcast/
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
or:
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. https://carterwilson.com/making-it-up/
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.
ARTICLES
Look for upcoming articles in Writer’s Digest on “How to keep readers connected when your protagonist does something reprehensible” and in CrimeReads (sister publication of LitHub) on a special reading list roundup. Details coming soon!