The Grammy winner spoke to CNN about how her 2012 single inspired her new graphic novel of the same name.
“Girl On Fire” is such a special song… I mean, who knew this song would have the kind of energy it would hold and create, ”Keys told CNN this week. “[The book] has been working for about five years. It would be so beautiful if we really delve deeper into the story of a burning girl named Lolo who is raised in Brooklyn. She is 17 years old. She has a single father who is growing up, and her brother and her brother have been harassed by a policeman. Out of anger and a desire to protect her brother, she discovers that she has power she never knew.
The novel was illustrated by co-author Britney Williams and Keys, Andrew Wiener.
“You go on to learn more about her [Lolo], her family, neighborhood and who she is fighting with, ”added Keys, describing the project. “I think the metaphor is that we all have superpower and what are we going to do with it? Do you know how we’ll find it out?
Keys said she was already thinking about potentially developing a graphic novel into a movie or TV series.
“Some people are very good at this new situation and their imaginations can go wild. Some people really want to immerse themselves in a world where they can see color and can read it on a website, ”said Keys. “I think it fits very well with the potential movies, potential series, all those pieces of this amazing Lolo girl that represent all of us.”