Life & Work with Francesca Lia Block of Culver City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Lia Block

Hi Francesca Lia , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My first book WEETZIE BAT, an LA “punk fairy tale,” was published in 1989, and I’ve been publishing regularly ever since.

My latest book HOUSE OF HEARTS, about a woman searching for her missing lover in the Salton Sea area, will be out in paperback in a few months. Aimee Bender calls it, “A lushly sensory page turner” and Stephen Graham Jones says, “The desert is alive with story, with terror, with myth, with wonder, and Francesca Lia Block has planted a House of Hearts there. Come in if you dare, but you might not make it back out.” (Link on my website.) I’m also working on a graphic novel and three screenplays.

I’ve taught creative writing at various places including UCLA Extension, Antioch University L.A., University of Redlands, Antioch Extension, Otis Extension, Pocket MFA, and privately since 2007. I love to teach and to help people find their voices and their stories. I also just started teaching creative writing at the wonderful Braille Institute in L.A.

My literary journal LIT ANGELS is available on Substack and includes writing and art from my colleagues, friends, and students as well as submissions from readers. Please submit at [email protected] (Link on my website.)

I just started the Lit Angels drop-in writing studio for all levels and genres at the Village Well in Culver City. Meditation and mindfulness classes are also offered. Lit Angels T-shirts are available on Etsy. (Link to both the writing studio and T-shirts on my website.)

Finally, check out my popular Healing Through Writing and the 12 Questions course, now available digitally on Payhip for the first time. These 12 Questions have helped hundreds of writers of all levels and in all genres strengthen their writing and heal their lives. (Link on my website.)

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve had a lot of loss in my life, physical challenges, and some work disappointments, but it has all made me stronger.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a writer I’m known for writing lyrical Los Angeles “fairy tales” or myths with dark twists. As a teacher I think I’m known for my empathy and enthusiasm. I’m currently most proud of my latest novel HOUSE OF HEARTS and I’m excited to make my books into films in the near future.

What were you like growing up?
I always loved to read, write and dance. I loved love, flowers, dogs, music, art, myths and fairy tales. I’ve always been fascinated by the healing power of writing and creativity. So I’m basically exactly the same!

Pricing:

• $200 an hour/ 5-hour minimum for private manuscript consultation
• $25 Drop-in classes at the Lit Angels Village Well Writing Studio
• $5 a month for LIT ANGELS journal on Substack

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.francescaliablock.com/#
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francescaliablock/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francescaliablock/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClpWDldHPXwLqdmKC6IYxQA
• Other: https://francescaliablock.substack.com/

Image Credits
Main image: Madeline Northway
Last two images (Bombay Beach and Stories) by Eric A. Zimmerman