On the Shelf
Rosie Frost: Ice on Fireplace
By Geri Halliwell-HornerPhilomel Books: 464 pages, $19If you purchase books linked on our web site, The Occasions could earn a fee from Bookshop.org, whose charges help unbiased bookstores.
Writing a tune is “a shot of espresso, whereas writing a novel is a feast,” says Geri Halliwell-Horner.
Finest often called Ginger Spice, one-fifth of the ’90s pop phenomenon the Spice Ladies, Halliwell-Horner now writes for the age group that after memorized her lyrics. She enthusiastically spoke with The Occasions about her new young-adult novel, “Rosie Frost: Ice on Fire,” the second in a trilogy that started with the 2023 bestseller “Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen.”
Nonetheless, Halliwell-Horner shouldn’t be new to writing; she revealed a memoir, “If Only,” in 1999, shortly after her departure from the Spice Ladies, in addition to a sequence of kids’s books, “Ugenia Lavender,” in 2008. The most effective piece of writing recommendation she obtained as she launched into this part of her profession? “Start again. Don’t age ‘Ugenia Lavender’ up.’ So I did. [‘Rosie Frost’ is a] much deeper, fleshed-out story.”
“I love the gooey bits,” Halliwell-Horner continues as she picks her favourite scene from the e book, a kiss between Rosie and her love curiosity. “I so enjoyed writing that,” she says giddily, as if we’re two youngsters round Rosie’s age gossiping at a sleepover.
Halliwell-Horner imbues Rosie with a few of these attributes that made younger women and girls (and, let’s face it, quite a lot of males) fall in love along with her and her fellow Spice Ladies — “Baby Spice” Emma Bunton, “Scary Spice” Melanie Brown, “Sporty Spice” Melanie Chisholm and “Posh Spice” Victoria Beckham — nearly three a long time in the past.
Although it’s been eight years since Halliwell-Horner launched a pop single, she has penned authentic music for each “Rosie Frost” books to date, together with the most recent tune, “Older Now,” which is accessible by way of QR code in “Ice on Fire.”
She doesn’t shrink back from the thornier emotions of adolescence, similar to grief, isolation and revenge, the latter of which is the driving pressure of this installment as Rosie seeks to avenge her mom’s homicide.
“It’s much darker and it’s real,” says Halliwell-Horner.
This interview has been edited and condensed for size and readability.
What attracts you to writing, and writing for kids specifically?
I’ve at all times beloved writing. I’ve at all times been a large reader. I studied theater — Stanislavski — and English literature earlier than I launched into my music profession, which was nonetheless being inventive with phrases. Once you write a tune, you’re discovering the phrases that perhaps somebody [else] can’t discover in themselves. It’s storytelling, however in a shot of espresso, whereas writing a novel is a feast.
My ambition is at all times to attach with everybody. These novels are YA, however my hope is that [readers] of no matter age join [with the story]. Older adults like YA as properly as a result of it has depth for the curious thoughts to unpack a bit of bit, or should you’re a nerdy, curious particular person like me, it ticks that field too.
You must do a lot of analysis and I actually like doing that. Earlier than I even hit the web page, I discovered myself researching fusion vitality as a result of the backdrop of [the “Rosie Frost” novels] is a bit of little bit of science, however I need to get it proper and switch the quantity up on it. I discovered myself studying about physics and black holes, simply to offer it authenticity.
“My ambition is to give others a feeling of empowerment, hope and inspiration through storytelling, whether that’s through song or through [books],” Geri Halliwell-Horner says.
(The Tyler Twins / For The Occasions)
What was that analysis course of like, particularly researching the British royal household and deciding what elements to incorporate in Rosie’s lore?
I had learn historic novels earlier than, like “The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory, which is a extremely nice entry level into historical past however in a light-weight method. I’ve at all times beloved “The Tudors,” which is filled with drama. [The Tudor dynasty] was a extremely pivotal second in historical past. I additionally thought we want a feminine character who displays who we’re right this moment. A protagonist who’s unairbrushed and susceptible. Rosie Frost finds herself there 500 years later after she’s been orphaned. She’s needed to discover the braveness she by no means knew she had. I establish with that: have braveness to take the prospect on [what] you worry most. Rosie had to do this. I did that in [writing this series]. Now, in E book 2, she’s hitting 14 — the age of energy. She’s actually having to search out her personal identification. By her personal expertise and confidence, you begin to discover your personal inside energy and belief that.
Are there any plans for a 3rd e book?
That’s what I’m engaged on now. I don’t need to give the sport away. I at all times knew it was going to be a trilogy. I at all times knew what the ending could be. I’m nonetheless deciding who’s going to die. And somebody will.
There’s a throughline between the lady energy you espoused as a part of the Spice Ladies and now in scripting this story a few highly effective younger lady for an entire new technology. Was that one thing you have been aware of when writing Rosie Frost?
I feel you’re completely appropriate. No matter I do, there’s at all times that genesis. My ambition is to offer others a sense of empowerment, hope and inspiration by means of storytelling, whether or not that’s by means of tune or by means of [books].
She’s going by means of very human struggles, whether or not that’s bullying — you may be bullied at any age — or grieving. However wrap it in chocolate and curiosity, historical past and hazard. “Ice on Fire” is darkish and scrumptious on the identical time.
You lately teased a Spice Ladies reunion. Is there the rest you may inform us?
I’m so grateful for every one that has supported what the Spice Ladies achieved. However when there’s something to be introduced it’ll come from [us as] an entire.
