ONE HOUR CONSULT:
In just one hour, Francesca will use her 30+ years of experience as a writer and teacher, her uncanny intuition and laser sharp focus to zoom in on you and your project. By asking you carefully-formulated questions, she will find what works, what needs work and how to take it all to the next level. Some of the topics covered will be: creating sympathetic characters, developing compelling and well-structured plots, using setting to build conflict, and how to find your most natural, unique voice and the deep themes you want to express. This is perfect for both beginning and experienced writers in any stage of the process (brainstorming, first draft, final manuscipt polish etc.). If needed, FLB will also suggest ways to pursue publishing.
One-hour, one-on-one Zoom call with Francesca includes the expert personal attention needed to help any writer at any stage attain their goals in any genre.
$200
MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATION:
Let FLB use her skill, intuition and 30+ years of experience, skill to help you realize your writing dreams.
Francesca has worked with hundreds of writers, using her many years of experience as an author and teacher, and her natural intuition and sensitivity, to help people get over their writing blocks and fears, remain accountable, reach their specific goals and develop their craft.
With a focus on creating sympathetic characters, riveting, well-structured plots, an evocative setting that adds conflict, and developing a natural and original voice and meaningful themes, Francesca will help take your work to the next level--whether that be starting a new project, finishing a first draft or polishing for submission or publication. FLB works with writers of all levels on novels, short story collections, poetry, creative non-fiction essays and memoirs as well as screenplays.
With this deluxe packet you get the one-hour Zoom call, detailed line notes on your manuscript, global developmental notes, including notes on an outline, and follow up questions.
- One-hour Zoom call
- Detailed line notes
- Global developmental notes, including notes on book outline
- Follow-up questions
$220 AN HOUR WITH 5-HOUR MINIMUM (Half due in advance).
Contact us for availability and details.
HEALING THROUGH WRITING:
TESTIMONIALS:
"Francesca is the most dedicated and inspiring writing teacher I've ever had. Her enthusiasm for writing is energizing, and she cares deeply about her students. She told me my novel wasn't quite ready to query, gave me incredible notes, and after implementing them—boom, I had an agent. I still think about her '12 Questions' whenever I sit down to write. In a perfect world, I would write everything with Francesca's support and guidance. ~ Anna Dorn, author of Perfume and Pain and American Spirits (Simon & Schuster)
Francesca is an incredible writing teacher, guide, mentor and cheerleader. She is warm and kind and leads with empathy and pragmatism. She doesn't bullshit you and doesn't let anyone bullshit her. Her classrooms are some of the safest spaces I've been in as a storyteller. She recognizes what is special about your writing and/or what you are trying to say, and then pushes you to go deeper and clearer. I wish I had her guidance 20 years ago, but perhaps the universe crossed our paths as student and teacher when I needed her most. ~ Bornila Chattergee
“Not only is Francesca one of the most gifted writing instructors I’ve ever had the honor to work with, she’s also an astonishingly insightful editor—generous, supportive, respectful, and with a deep knowledge of story craft. Her novel writing workshop gave me powerful tools to home in on the heart of my novel. To this day, I still rely on her “Twelve Questions” technique to help find my way whenever my writing becomes lost in a dark wood.” ~ Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams (Atria Books) and creator of The Goddess Tarot
"With knowledge and kindness, Francesca has motivated me to work harder and more consistently on my writing. In the gentlest way, she pushes me to strengthen my characters and commit more fully to the truth of my story. Best of all, I now have the daily writing practice I’ve been dreaming about for 30 years. Thank you, Francesca!" ~ Courtney Thorne-Smith
"I couldn't think of a better person to edit my first book. Francesca's insightful suggestions imbued my manuscript with absolute magic." ~ Gala Darling, author of Radical Self Love
"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." ~ Clarissa Romano, Writer/ Former Senior Fiction Editor at the LA Review of Books
"Francesca is an amazing teacher! She breaks down the aspects of effective storytelling and characterization, all while encouraging and supporting your dream of writing a book." ~ Anna Akana, Actress, Writer
"I’ve been profoundly impacted by Francesca’s work. I carried around her books for years. I knew of no other writer who wrote about the interior lives of girls with so much empathy--and so much mystery. Every time I get the chance to study with her, I take it. She brings that same empathy, that same ear for lyricism, that same attention to every student's manuscript. She's a generous teacher, kind and creative and inspiring, just like you'd expect her to be." ~ Erica Lorraine Scheidt, Author, Uses for Boys (St. Martin's Press)
"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." ~ Bree Barton, Heart of Thorns trilogy, (KT/HarperCollins)
"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." ~ Stacy Lee Niemiec
"A craft ninja, a story midwife, and punk fairy-godmother-of-prose rolled into one! Francesca gives you tools to demystify storytelling, helps you break your work down into manageable parts, and inspires you to keep pushing towards "the end" with her radiant enthusiasm. I'm starting to believe that this book will get finished! Thank you, Francesca! ~ Delphine Hirsh
"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!” ~ Susan Zeiger, Professor of English, University of California, Riverside
How often do ordinary people get to study with their literary heroes? Accomplished author Francesca Lia Block…casts a powerful circle of inspiration and mentorship. Unlike the eviscerating experiences of many an MFA or critique class where it seems that students are encouraged to find flaws with each other’s work, Francesca’s workshop is a series of prompts and exercises designed to awaken the dormant muse. If you’re the person who says “I used to want to be a writer, but ‘real’ life took over, my muse has run away”- this is the class that will coax her back to you. It is not without its rigor and struggles, and at nearly every class someone ends up crying at the liberation of a story or memory, but it is a safe space. I never dreamed I would be in such an intimate setting with the first writer who I knew to speak my language when I first stumbled upon her (over fifteen years ago!), and learning with her, knowing her, has brought such a certainty to my identity as a writer. Thank you, Francesca. ~ Rocio Carlos
Francesca's open heart and incredible knowledge of storytelling is the magical combination I needed in a writing mentor. My story structure and voice have strengthened in exponential ways through her teaching. ~ Beth Navarro
Francesca brings warmth and encouragement to her teaching without sacrificing the frankness that budding writers need in order to truly improve their craft. She never loses sight of the most important task of any teacher: To foster confidence and curiosity in her students. If you have a story in you that wants to be born, Francesca Lia Block is here to be your magical midwife. She has quite literally changed the course of my life, personally and creatively. Thank you, Francesca! I love you! ~ Melissa Pleckham
Taking classes with Francesca Lia Block has been the main reason I've continued my studies at UCLA Extension. Having completed three of her writing courses, I can confidently say she is an exceptional educator. She brings an incredible depth of knowledge and insight to every workshop, all while remaining grounded, humble, and deeply approachable. What sets her apart is her ability to foster a safe, supportive environment where writers feel comfortable taking risks and sharing vulnerable work. Her feedback is always thoughtful, constructive, and tailored to help you find and elevate your voice. I cannot recommend her highly enough. ~ AJ Olsen
Francesca is as warm and encouraging as she is thoughtful and constructive. Her classes are honest and inclusive; they are a bright spot in my week. I have noticed a huge difference in the quality of my writing since beginning classes with her, and I feel excited and motivated to continue improving and finish my novel! ~ Ashleigh Lockerbie
Francesca has been a wonderful mentor and teacher for me in my writing. She has encouraged me to be more vulnerable and to look into deeper parts of myself, challenging me to take my stories to places I hadn’t considered before. She almost always knows where I’m holding back, and she pushes me in the direction that helps me grow and take my work to another level. She’s been incredibly helpful in workshopping as well, guiding me and my classmates through the process of giving each other feedback and critiquing our work with care. She really has a wonderful talent for creating collaborative atmospheres where writers feel comfortable sharing their work, even when its experimental. Beyond that, her advice on the writing process itself, how to approach writing and staying connected to our work has been invaluable. She’s endlessly encouraging, and I don’t think there could have been better guidance for me through the process of writing my novel. I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am with my writing if it weren’t for her. ~ Victoria Carvallo
Francesca is a great writer with a wealth of knowledge and a knack of deploying it in a way that also makes her a great teacher. Not only is my writing I bring to her class better in every way, I also have a great time discussing with the other members of class and Francesca herself about my work and the finer points of writing. If you write with passion, with intellect and/or for fun you will have a great time in these classes and your words and you will be better having come. ~ Matt Baab
I love Francesca's classes and writing groups. She provides supportive, encouraging feedback that often sparks new ideas about my work. While sharing her own unique perspective, Francesca is knowledgeable about literature across genres and draws from a wide range of sources in her teaching. ~ Ingrid Johnson
I really enjoyed Francesca Lia Block’s online writing workshop with its no-pressure environment that was all-inclusive and nurturing. Francesca gave wise and insightful writing advice in her perceptive, gentle way. The participants were interesting people who truly supported each other. I also highly benefited from her 2-day writing retreat. After workshopping, sharing, and spending one-on-one time with Francesca, I felt fulfilled, recognized, and had some good notes on improving my pieces. I also bonded with the other members in the very relaxing atmosphere. What I appreciate about Francesca is, even with her vast knowledge of the craft of writing, she takes her place among us, not above us. I highly recommend joining her very rewarding classes ~ Robin Carr
Working with Francesca has been life changing. I have drafted two complete novel manuscripts with her motivation and advice. Her group classes are a fun, beautiful, and welcoming space for talented writers to workshop their projects. I cannot thank her enough. ~ Kate M.