Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image of Francesa Lia Block in a floral print top in front of a pink background

Register 33 Seats Remaining

Twelve Questions to Structure Your Writing with Francesca Lia Block

In-Person Program

2026-11-01 14:00:00 2026-11-01 16:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Twelve Questions to Structure Your Writing with Francesca Lia Block In this seminar for all levels, we will look at 12 questions to help structure your novel, short story, memoir, screenplay, or poetry cycle. For adults. West Hollywood Library - Meeting Room

Sunday, November 01
2:00pm - 4:00pm

West Hollywood Library

Meeting Room

In this seminar for all levels, we will look at 12 questions to help structure your novel, short story, memoir, screenplay, or poetry cycle. For adults.

What does your character want? What do they need? What is their gift? What is their flaw? Do you know their arc? Who is your main antagonist? How does setting enhance your story? How about your style/voice? Do you know the crisis of the book? The climax? The resolution? Finally, are you aware of your theme? Are many of these elements present in your first chapter, on your first page, even in your first paragraph or sentence? Please come prepared with some general answers to these questions in relation to your own work and one piece of work by a favorite creator.

Sponsored by the Friends of the West Hollywood Library.

Francesca Lia Block, M.F.A., is the author of more than twenty-five books of fiction, non-fiction, short stories and poetry, and has written screenplay adaptations of her work. She received the Spectrum Award, the Phoenix Award, the ALA Rainbow Award and the 2005 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as other citations from the American Library Association and from the New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly.

Her work has been translated into Italian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Portuguese. Francesca has also published stories, poems, essays and interviews in The Los Angeles Times, The L.A. Review of Books, Spin, Nylon, Black Clock, The Fairy Tale Review and Rattle, among others. She edits Lit Angels and Francesca Lia Block (that includes weekly write-with-me sessions) on Substack.

In addition to writing, Francesca is a beloved and devoted teacher. She was named Writer-in-Residence at Pasadena City College in 2014 and in 2018-19 became a Visiting Assistant Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Redlands where she was a finalist for Professor of the Year award. Currently she teaches fiction at UCLA Extension, Antioch University, at The Village Well bookstore, and privately on Zoom and in Los Angeles where she was born and raised.

Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees.

AGE GROUP: | Older Adults | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Books, Poetry, & Writing |

TAGS: | Workshop |

West Hollywood Library

Phone: 310.652.5340

Hours
Skip Open Hours widget
Mon, Sep 28 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Sep 29 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Sep 30 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, Oct 01 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, Oct 02 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 03 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Oct 04 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

West Hollywood Library began service to the area (then unincorporated ) in 1913. The library was previously located at Sherman School, a cottage on Clark Street, a building on Westbourne Drive, and a building near the present site. The Library has an active Friends of the Library group.

The new library was dedicated October 1, 2011.

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming events widget
Tue, Sep 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room
Join the LGBTQ+ Book Club for a hybrid (in-person and online) discussion of Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby. For adults.

Wed, Sep 30, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
We've partnered with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and California Department of Health Care Services to offer free doses of Naloxone (Narcan). For all ages.

Wed, Sep 30, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Study Room
Are you a teen interested in making a difference in your library and community? Join the Teen Advisory Board! For ages 13 - 17. Teen Study Room.

Thu, Oct 01, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Got a tech question? We’ve got you covered! Stop by our Basic Drop-In Tech Help sessions for basic one-on-one assistance with your devices and digital questions, with no appointment needed. For adults.

Thu, Oct 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Keep your brain fresh with engaging games like Qwirkle, Qwix, Kingdomino, and more! Games are provided by the Friends of the West Hollywood Library. Especially for adults 55 and up.

Thu, Oct 01, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
Children's Theater
Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun. For ages 2 - 5 with their parent or caregiver.

Fri, Oct 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Join us for conversation circle. We will meet to practice conversational English in a fun, informal, and supportive environment. For adults.

Fri, Oct 02, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Children's Theater
Enjoy special storytimes, arts & crafts, music, and playtimes designed to help children ages 0 - 5 build early learning skills and create unforgettable memories together. For children ages 0 - 5 and their dads or male caregivers.

Sat, Oct 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us for a fun drag storytime with the fabulous Miss Barbie-Q reading stories that promote diversity and inclusion! Co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood through WeHo Arts. For children of all ages.

Sat, Oct 03, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Looking for a place to connect with fellow writers and grow your craft? Join Writers Supporting Writers! For adults.

Mon, Oct 05, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us for a screening of the 1959 film House on Haunted Hill, starring Vincent Price and directed by William Castle. Not rated. For adults.

Tue, Oct 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Children's Theater
Black cats are believed to bring bad luck. But did you know that cats also bring good luck in many stories from around the world? Learn about cats in folk tales from around the world and write and draw your own cat story! Recommended for ages 6 - 12.

Tue, Oct 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room
Join the book club for a hybrid (in-person and online) discussion of Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. For adults.

Wed, Oct 07, 11:15am - 11:35am
Meeting Room
Reading books and singing songs help develop babies' print awareness, reading skills, and fine motor skills. Join us for a session of stories, fingerplays, and more! For ages 0 - 2 with their parent or caregiver.

Wed, Oct 07, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
We've partnered with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and California Department of Health Care Services to offer free doses of Naloxone (Narcan). For all ages.

Wed, Oct 07, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Study Room
Calling all teens! Join us in celebrating "Teen Read Month" by bringing your favorite books to the library to talk about them among your peers! We'll have discussions, games, and prizes for those that attend! For teens, ages 13 - 17. Teen Study Room.

Thu, Oct 08, 11:15am - 11:45am
Meeting Room
Join us for a session of play, curiosity, and creativity with infant toys, art supplies, puppets, and more! For ages 0 - 5 with their parent or caregiver.

Thu, Oct 08, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Got a tech question? We’ve got you covered! Stop by our Basic Drop-In Tech Help sessions for basic one-on-one assistance with your devices and digital questions, with no appointment needed. For adults.

Thu, Oct 08, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
Children's Theater
Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun. For ages 2 - 5 with their parent or caregiver.

Fri, Oct 09, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Children's Theater
Enjoy special storytimes, arts & crafts, music, and playtimes designed to help children ages 0 - 5 build early learning skills and create unforgettable memories together. For children ages 0 - 5 and their dads or male caregivers.

Sat, Oct 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us as we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with curated poems of our LGBTQ+ ancestors. For adults.

Tue, Oct 13, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Children's Theater
Visit Cinnamoroll™’s cozy cafe where you can paint your favorite Hello Kitty® and Friends character or create an original art inspired by friendship and imagination. For ages 5 - 12. © 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD. Used Under License.
This event is full

Tue, Oct 13, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Meeting Room
Turn old book pages into charming fall décor! For adults.

Tue, Oct 13, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Study Room
Join us for a stress-free, no-pressure art session where you can draw, paint, and craft. We’ll even provide all the supplies! For teens, ages 13 - 17. Teen Study Room.

Wed, Oct 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room
New parents, join us at a special program designed for you. Bring your new baby and learn about all the great programs and services we have for parents, caregivers, and children, and connect with other new parents/families in the community.

Thu, Oct 15, 11:30am - 1:30pm
Meeting Room
Aging Like a Pro is a healthy aging five-part series that focuses on offering information for healthy aging and brain health. Lunch will be provided at each session. For older adults.

Thu, Oct 15, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Got a tech question? We’ve got you covered! Stop by our Basic Drop-In Tech Help sessions for basic one-on-one assistance with your devices and digital questions, with no appointment needed. For adults.

Thu, Oct 15, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Keep your brain fresh with engaging games like Qwirkle, Qwix, Kingdomino, and more! Games are provided by the Friends of the West Hollywood Library. Especially for adults 55 and up.

Thu, Oct 15, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Join us for an informal, respectful conversation about death and dying. For adults.

Fri, Oct 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Join us for conversation circle. We will meet to practice conversational English in a fun, informal, and supportive environment. For adults.

Fri, Oct 16, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Children's Theater
Enjoy special storytimes, arts & crafts, music, and playtimes designed to help children ages 0 - 5 build early learning skills and create unforgettable memories together. For children ages 0 - 5 and their dads or male caregivers.

Sat, Oct 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Slow down and get creative with a relaxing journaling session. Personalize your journal or scrapbook using washi tape, stamps, stickers, and paper accents inspired by Hello Kitty® and Friends. For adults. © 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD. Used Under License.
This event is full

Sat, Oct 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Join us for an afternoon of puzzle swapping, snacking, and socializing. For all ages.

Thu, Oct 22, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Room
Got a tech question? We’ve got you covered! Stop by our Basic Drop-In Tech Help sessions for basic one-on-one assistance with your devices and digital questions, with no appointment needed. For adults.

Fri, Oct 23, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Children's Theater
Enjoy special storytimes, arts & crafts, music, and playtimes designed to help children ages 0 - 5 build early learning skills and create unforgettable memories together. For children ages 0 - 5 and their dads or male caregivers.

Sat, Oct 24, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Fifteen years is worth celebrating! Join us as we mark the library’s 15th anniversary with an afternoon of creativity, fun, and festivities. For all ages.

Sat, Oct 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room
Do you like to play card games? If so, the West Hollywood Library is looking for people like you! Whether it be Cribbage, Bridge, or even Go Fish, we'll provide everything you need to play with friends! For adults.

Tue, Oct 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room
Join the LGBTQ+ Book Club for a hybrid (in-person and online) discussion of The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. For adults.

Wed, Oct 28, 11:15am - 11:35am
Meeting Room
Reading books and singing songs help develop babies' print awareness, reading skills, and fine motor skills. Join us for a session of stories, fingerplays, and more! For ages 0 - 2 with their parent or caregiver.

Wed, Oct 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Teen Study Room
Are you a teen interested in making a difference in your library and community? Join the Teen Advisory Board! For ages 13 - 17. Teen Study Room.