Some things you need to know about me: I am obsesso with all things magical and mystical, I like boys and my favourite author girl in the whole wide world is Francesca Lia Block.

So when my favourite author-girl decides to give me dating advice by comparing myself and boykind to various mythological beasties – FYI: she predicts I’m an urban elf/fairy girl – I was more than a li’l bit curious.

Navigating the world of dating can be like wandering an enchanted forest, full of creatures with peculiar habits and baffling behaviour. In Wood Nymph Seeks Centaur, Francesca Lia Block provides a guide to this often-treacherous terrain, classifying all those mystifying men and women into various types of mythical forest fauna—Fauns and Werewolves, Mermaids and Banshees.

After answering questions to determine your own type, you can learn to identify others. By reading up on the various types’ favorite activities, likely professions, sexual preferences, and parenting styles, you’ll gain insight into compatible creatures. If you’re a Wood Nymph (like FLB), you could get your heart broken by a fickle Satyr, but if you can track down the strong, soulful Centaurs of the forest, you just might be on the path to true love…Amazing, non?

Come read what FLB has to say about her mythological dating guide…

Wood Nymph seeks Centaur – not your average dating book, what’s it about exactly?
I was doing a lot of internet dating, trying to understand the people I was meeting. I decided to use my knowledge about and love for mythology and folk tales to help gain perspective on the different men I met.  Then I came up with twelve male and twelve female types, defined them and matched them up. There is also a section on same sex couples. And I identify various celebrities according to mythological types.

Mythological dating – how’s it different from your average not-so-fun dating?
I feel I have gained a broader perspective on life through mythology. By placing people into fun categories it helped me not take dating too seriously.  The whole thing becomes a game you can share with your friends.

FLB – what mythological type are you and who’s your match?
I’m a Wood Nymph. I thought I needed a Centaur but I realize I need a Centaur/Giant mix. Or perhaps a High Elf (that’s a new type I just discovered– not in the book)

I’ve recently come out of a 8 year relationship and it’s been ickysville Miss FLB – do you have any words of wisdom on mending a broken heart and finding new love?

• Open yourself up to new experience.
• Don’t be afraid to get out there (or on -line-there as the case may be).
• Don’t take dating too personally, just consider it a way to learn about yourself and others.
• Spend time nurturing yourself.
• Spend time with supportive friends.
• Write about your feelings.
• Find someone compassionate to listen to you.

If this book had a theme tune what would it be?
True Love Will Find You in the End but first maybe Goo Goo Muck by the Cramps and Icky Thump by White Stripes first (keeping slogging through, kids)

What do you love most about being a woman in the world?
Being able to nurture others as a mother, friend and through my writing workshops and books.

As I never fail to tell you, or anyone that’ll listen for that matter, you’re my favourite author – who and what inspires you to continually create your books o’ total heart-breaking magical goodness?
Thank you!  I’m inspired by taking care of my family, by my friends, my students, the visual arts, music, psychology, philosophy, politics, poetry, dance, fashion, online culture, fairy tales, myth and love.

What’s your motto for life?
Love.

As a kick-ass Sassy Minx, I have a hard time dealing with the ‘feminist’ label, you are both a whole lot of sass and tres minxy in the best possible way, what are your thoughts on the term feminist, and would you consider yourself to be one?
Unfortunately that word, which stands for a very important concept, has some negative connotations these days.  But without the feminist movement we would never be where we are today.  I believe in equal rights for women and respect, love and equality for all people.

Quick fire round – what’s your favourite:
City: Los Angeles because I know her so well and there are fairies hidden in the canyons and gardens
Book: Too many to choose one
Hang-out: Downtown Culver City (Culver Hotel, M Cafe, lion fountain, twinkle lights in the trees, available parking, sparkling views from the rooftops)
Way to chill: Yoga
Store: Target
Celebrity: PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Must-have item: Beautiful shoes that don’t hurt

What’s next in the world o’ FLB?
House of Dolls comes out soon! I am finishing an editing on a female werewolf story called THE FRENZY. And I have almost two hundred pages of a new adult book that I am very excited about! Plus lots of new poetry on my myspace and workshops every month!

Go buy Wood Nymph Seeks Centaur right now: www.amazon.com