
Francesca Lia Block
Instructor Biography:
Francesca Lia Block, M.F.A., author of House of Hearts, The Thorn Necklace: Healing Through Writing and the Creative Process and over twenty-five other books, including The Elementals, Beyond the Pale Motel, Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Book and Necklace of Kisses. Ms. Block received the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award as well as many other awards and citations. Her Lit Angels journal is available on Substack, and she is always looking for new work to publish.
Instructor Statement:
I’ve been publishing since 1989, teaching since 2007, and I started at UCLA Extension in 2010. I love working with the students I’ve met through this program, no matter what their level or their genre of choice.
As a writer and teacher, I know that writing can enhance our lives in profound ways. It’s deeply inspiring to help people find their story and learn how to tell it more effectively. And I truly believe that students with a desire to tell their stories, and dedication to that desire, can be successful with the right encouragement and the right craft lessons at the right time. These lessons — refined through years of writing, study and instruction — include how to create a compelling, dimensional character; how to develop and refine an exciting plot; how to use setting to enhance your story; and how to find your unique voice and the themes that matter to you most.
You will also learn by reading great books by wonderful, diverse authors, either recommended by me or of your choosing. I think this is one of the best ways to learn how to write, and I’ll encourage you to focus on one craft element that you want to incorporate into your own work.
In my class you will feel deeply supported but also challenged and encouraged to grow. I foster a compassionate, nurturing, inclusive and respectful environment where students are free to share their ideas, develop their work and learn through discussion, through writing book reports on published novels, and by reading and critiquing each other’s manuscripts. I like to challenge the traditional workshop model with an approach in the general style of the Liz Lerman Critical Response Method that allows for more author participation and input including author notes.
Please join me to complete sections of your novel, learn about craft from me, your peers and the authors you love; find a strong, supportive writing community; and become energized by the joy of the creative process!
Our Students Say it Best!
“Francesca is a generous and gifted teacher. She is positive and supportive. She allows each writer to find their own voice and story, and she pushes us toward our most energetic, exciting voice.” — Writers’ Program student
"Francesca Lia Block is not only one of the most gifted writers of our age, she's an extraordinary teacher as well. As a student, one has the feeling that FLB is regarding one's work as tenderly and seriously as if it were her own. Here is an artist committed to baring her heart again and again, as a writer and as a teacher. Despite her numerous successes and years as a literary figure, she approaches the writing process with humility and an almost child-like joy. The opportunity to study with Francesca, as with reading one of her books, is an opportunity for transformation." — Writers’ Program student
"I often reread my class notes for Francesca’s insights about novel writing. Her advice about identifying patterns and themes; where micro-tension moments draw the reader more deeply into a story, and to use these reveals to tell the reader more about my character’s wound changed how I approached my novel. Francesca said, 'It’s not just about knowing what your character's wounds are, it’s about opening those wounds.' The ending of my novel came to me out of our discussions. I’m forever grateful." — Writers’ Program student
"Francesca is a veritable fount of wisdom. She knows story inside and out, and possesses a keen ability to cut straight to the heart of what's working and what isn't. She's a literary legend, but she never lets that get in the way: as a teacher she is extremely generous, meeting every student exactly where they are. An hour with Francesca is worth its weight in gold." — Writers’ Program student "I first stepped into Francesca’s classes with no knowledge of how to write, but with a spirit that wanted to write. I took classes with a few teachers over a couple years, but Francesca is 110% the best. Not only does she carefully and methodically teach the craft, but she encourages the spirit behind the craft. I have no doubt that without her, I would have become discouraged and quit countless times. But because of her patience, enthusiasm, and love for her students’ work, I am a writer. Not only that, but I can write well, I get paid to write, and I can write from my heart. I am so grateful to have Francesca as a teacher." — Writers’ Program student "A craft ninja, a story midwife, and punk fairy-godmother-of-prose rolled into one! Francesca give you tools to demystify story-telling, helps you break your work down into manageable parts, and inspires you to keep pushing towards 'the end' with her radiant enthusiasm." — Writers’ Program student "Francesca is an excellent teacher for novel-writers at every stage of the process. Balancing enthusiastic encouragement with specific technical advice, she helped me finish my first draft. Her classroom is a safe and delightful space, especially for new writers. Her editing was truly insightful, pointing out adjustments I could make to improve my character arcs, structure, and tone. She's efficient and a great communicator, and I hope to work with her again!” — Writers’ Program student
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