Hi! I’m Virginia Franken and am the proud owner of a Little Free Library here in Monrovia. Now and then, if you have a good dig through, you can find two of my own novels inside, Life After Coffee – a rom-com about a mom with major work-life challenges – and my upcoming novel Half Sisters, a twisty psychological suspense novel set in a fictional town named Myrtlebury that some may say has more than a passing resemblance to our own fair town. I’ve lived in Monrovia for over ten years and have told everyone I know at least once that they should move here. My boyfriend and I stumbled across this town ten years ago when we were looking to move out of Hollywood, and the first time we drove down Myrtle, we could not believe our eyes – the fountain, the red brick, the library, the mountains. Paradise. We live here now with our two kids and two dogs in a house that’s just a little bit small to fit everyone in comfortably and we wouldn’t swap it for the world.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Family here in Monrovia is my other half, Todd, our children Max and Ella Bean and dogs Hudson and Ollie.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
For the last twenty years I’ve worked as an editor. A few years ago, I published my first novel, and this year my second one, a suspense novel called Half Sisters, will be published. I’m an introvert by nature, so writing is my way of processing life. It’s a real honor when someone buys one of my books and opts to spend a few hours hanging out with characters I’ve created.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Bella Sera – I just love their pasta, and if anyone ever suggests a trip to Mikomi Sushi, I’m unable to resist.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Monrovia for ten years now and it’s my favorite place in LA, hands down. How can you beat the beautiful buildings and that mountainous backdrop? I don’t think it’s possible.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I met Arella Tomlinson a few years ago here in Monrovia. She’s a very talented artist and poet and I could talk to her for hours about everything. Give her a Google and check out her art. It’s beautiful.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
It’d be the small town I’m from in the UK. I haven’t been able to travel home during the pandemic, and I’d dearly love to see my family, get a vast portion of fish and chips and eat them on a bench in front of the gray sea. I wouldn’t even complain about the rain.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love both Fleabag and Catastrophe. I tend to identify with any show that has a slightly deranged/misunderstood/willful female lead. Can’t think why that is. Ahem.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never forget to tell the people you hold dearest in your life how much they mean to you. Catch them doing something good and heap on the praise. Don’t hold back.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’ve never been to Cornwall and that’s a place I want to visit before I check out. Publishing a novel was certainly a bucket list item, so I guess my next-level bucket list goal would be to get one of my novels adapted for the big screen – or the little one. Dreams dreams. Gotta have ’em.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Solo artist named Frederic Chopin.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Sena. When Todd and I first arrived in Monrovia we sat at one of their tables out front waiting to hear back from the real estate agent and marveled at the sights around us. Also our family misses T. Phillips. As we often said: “You can always get a table at T. Phillips.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I’d take Nora Ephron to the back patio at Sena. I’d order the Burger by NIK with a veggie pattie and then we’d get drunk on margaritas and set the world to rights.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
That mountain skyline. From my front room I’m lucky to be able to see it and I wouldn’t swap that view for anything.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself pretty much exactly where I am now but with – hopefully – more books in print. I’ll still be sitting on my porch, looking at those mountains, thinking it all through.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Twenty years and twenty pounds ago, I used to be a professional dancer on a cruise ship! I have the photos to prove it, but you will never see them.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Gosh. I stood on an iceberg once and that was intense. The Norwegian fjords are like nothing else on earth. The transparent blue of the ocean around Barbados, the tropical backdrop in Kauai, an ancient pub in the middle of the English countryside, Edinburgh at New Years, a train journey through Sweden, and yes, hiking through these marvelous hills we’re surrounded by.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I think January is an underrated month, but honestly I’ll take any of the Not Summer months. Favorite holiday has to be Thanksgiving – just good food, family and friends. Best calendar day… I always love the 4th of July in Monrovia. There’s such a feeling of connection here that day.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The level of enthusiasm and the dedication of the teaching staff in Monrovia Unified. They are truly devoted to their students and I feel lucky to send my kids to school here.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I’d say my children, but God Bless those kids, they seem to take me just as I am. My readers inspire me to be a better writer. They deserve great stories that move them emotionally and help them process this crazy world we live in. So each time I write a story, I hold them in my heart and endeavor to take them on the most rewarding and entertaining journey possible.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My mother and grandmother both used to wear Chanel and I’ve recently taken to wearing it myself. We all become our mothers in the end, don’t we? I also love how my kitchen smells when I’m baking bread. The loaves vary in quality, but the smell is always excellent.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Nature. Community. Love.
