FLBpic3.jpgFrancesca Lia Block is a total hero girl of mine.

She is the creator of my favourite character in all of fictionville, Weetzie Bat.

If you don’t know Weetzie, she’s a bleach blonde punk pixie who lives in LA. But she’s so much more than that too. She’s a total inspir-o girl. She has friends called Duck, Dirk and My Secret Agent Lover Man. But she’s still so much more than that too.

Her creator, Francesca Lia Block, is a sorceress of words, writing modern fairy tales with an edge. She has written a LOT of books, my favourites include: Girl Godess number 9, Violet and Claire and I was a Teenage Fairy, and if you hadn’t noticed yet, I heart FLB x 1000 which is why my belly is filled with flutterby excitement that she has come to play in the world o’ pink…

FLB, you are officially crowned Pink-world’s tiara-wearing, princess of storytelling!


FLB, you rule. There are authors, and then there’s you. How did you discover your you-nique talent?
Thank you! I wrote poetry from the time I could write and I had a lot of encouragement to continue from family and friends. I also read like a fiend. I studied English Lit and Creative Writing at UC Berkeley. ONE HUNDREDYEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez changed my life because it validated my love of magic in the real world, rather than relegating it to a separate “fantasy” genre. Here are other influences: music (X, Tori Amos, Patti Smith Sinead O’Connor, Iggy Pop, punk rock etc) Fellini, fairy tales, Greek myths, my friends.

Your writing is filled with magic and created realities, what inspires this aspect of your writing? And is magic/spiritualism a big part of your real-life?
The answer to the second part of the question addresses the first part: I see the magic in the every day and if I
write about it it seems to intensify in my life. In other words, every day magic is a big part of my life, accessed through love, art, poetry, nature, friends, celebration, dancing, yoga, writing, my children, and this inspires my writing, which in turn seems to inspire more magic in my life!

I love Weetzie Bat. A lot. She’s too cool for school, I also dig Violet and Claire, do you have a favourite character? Tell us about them…
Weetzie is my first born so I love her for that. And I dont’ seem to tire of writing about her. I identify a lot with Witch Baby–her snarly pain and passion. I am probably most like Echo, or was as a young person.

weetzie.jpgWeetzie is unlike any fictional character I’ve ever read, when you created her, did you anticipate the impact she would have on everyone who discovered her?
Not at all. I created her as an alter ego. I was homesick for Los Angeles and living in Berkeley when I wrote about
her. I wanted to be like her. It was such a personal thing. I am discovering that the more specifically personal tale you tell the more people seem to respond.

What was being a teen girl in the world like for you, FLB?
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. My school and neighborhood was a lot like marina’s in WASTELAND. I danced at a club like the one in WASTELAND. I ventured over Laurel Canyon into Hollywood to explore the punk scene. I wrote poetry and short stories. I had a group of cool friends who I hung out with all the time. A few girls and one Dirk prototype boy. I wore engineer boots with vintage dresses. My family situation was a lot like Echo’s in ECHO.

You’ve certainly ripped up the rulebook and wrote your own as far as writing is concerned…
My parents are artists and they encouraged me. They were fearful of many things but they were brave where the arts are concerned and I picked this up from them. My mom supported me for a time in my 20’s so I could quit my job and write. I knew I had to write; it was never really a question. I’ve been lucky to be able to do it full time. When I get worried I just sit down adn write something else!

What was your fave book as a teen and why?
I loved Nine Stories by JD Salinger. The short, poetic form and the intriguing characters. My favorite childhood book was THE ANIMAL FAMILY. When I was really little I loved THE LITTLE FUR FAMILY by Margaret Wise Brown.

What do you love most about the process of writing?
Exploring my psyche in a cathartic, transformative way, and being able to share this journey with others.

What’s a typical day in the life of FLB – care to share?
Get up at 6, write a poem to send to a friend for a 30 poem in 30 day exchange (I’m on my sixth person) make breakfast for me and kids, take them to school, walk dog, do yoga, do errands, pick up kids, write a little in afternoon, have dinner with kids and friends with kids, read kids to bed, write a little more, take a bath, crash.

You also wrote a book about ‘zines with another Pink-world favourite, Hilary Carlip. We heart DIY culture here at Pink-world, what was it that made you both create this book?
We wanted to work together (I love Hillary!) and we were both interested in encouraging people to do it themselves. The zine and web movement are brilliant vehicles for self expression adn connection.

If they made a film of FLB – who would play you and why?
Charlotte Gainsbourg because she is how I wish I was at 30ish. Also, you know, she’s slender, dark hair with bangs, unusual features, into fashion, has two kids, sensitive. I love her.

What would a FLB soundtrack sound like?
Not in this order but:
X - Los Angeles
Ladies of the Canyon - Joni Mitchell
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life
Winter - Tori Amos
Wild World - Cat Stevens
Dancing Barefoot - Patti Smith
Free Falling - Tom Petty
Electricity - OMD
Wild Thing - The Troggs
Real Wild One - Iggy Pop
Louie Louie by anyone
Secret Agent Man - Agent Orange
I want your hands on me - Sinead O Connor
Emperor’s New Clothes - sinead O’ Connor
Thank you - Alanis Morisette
Breathe me – Sia
Think pink - the fabulous poodles
We’ve got the beat - the go-go’s!
Like a prayer - madonna

Who and what makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
My children, Jasmine and Sammy. My boyfriend. His son. My many girlfriends. Dreaming about a movie of Weetzie Bat. Dancing (I literally always jump in the air when I dance) And I have to admit–new platform shoes and dresses!

Quick hits - slightly superflous, but hey…what’s your favourite…
Film: Juliet of the Spirits and Pan’s Labyrinth
Band: X
Actress: Giuleta Masina
Actor: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Viggo Mortenson
Book: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE
Food: vegetarian sushi roll wrapped in cucumber/ vegan carrot cake

What’s your advice for being a girl in the world?
express yourself ! (write, draw, paint, dance, whatever makes you happy) connect! (in person or on line with your kindreds) get inspired! (pick up a book, see a great film, eat art) take care of yourself (get a great therapist, talk to your friends, do yoga, eat healthy food, take walks in nature, soothe yourself, learn how to think kind thoughts about yourself–I needed help with this but there are ways to get the help!)

Finally, the colour pink. Discuss.
It is my favorite color and almost always has been. I own one
pinkpurse, about five pink pairs of shoes, 2 pink pants, about 5 pink
t-shirts, 2 pink dresses, 2 pink skirts, five pink scarves, 1 pink leather jacket, 2 pink necklaces (rose quartz) 1 pink cord jacket…

I get some kind of crazy visceral joy reaction to the color pink. I see it across a room and respond. It rocks my world! And my agent Lydia Wills and I are creating a character and web site and book about a little girl with the word pink in her name but its still a surprise!

For the lo-down on Francesca and her fabulous modern fairy tales check out her website: www.francescaliablock.com