PHOTO: Author Laurie Bell, creator of the Stones of Power series, blends magic and meaning in stories that inspire courage and connection.
Champion of Fantasy, Friendship, and Fierce Heroines
Laurie Bell discusses her creative inspirations, the development of Tracey Masters, balancing fantasy with reality, and her empowering themes, while teasing new additions to her beloved Stones of Power series.
Laurie Bell shines brightly in the realm of speculative fiction, creating stories that blend fantasy and science fiction with emotion and imagination. Known for her acclaimed Stones of Power series as well as standalones like White Fire and Blood Fever, Bell captivates readers with powerful characters and rich, adventurous plots that remain with you long after the final page. Her writing is more than escapism—it’s a celebration of strength, friendship, and identity.
With the Stones of Power series, Bell introduces readers to Tracey Masters, a Mage-kind teen detective whose magical abilities are matched by her determination and heart. The series kicks off with The Butterfly Stone, which began as a flash fiction prompt and blossomed into a full-length novel. From there, Tracey’s world expanded, offering young readers an inspiring portrait of heroism rooted in relatability and emotional truth.
Laurie Bell crafts vivid worlds and empowering stories, blending heart, humor, and heroism into unforgettable adventures that inspire and uplift readers.
The creation of Tracey Masters was deeply personal for Bell. She wanted to write the kind of hero she wished her nieces had seen more of—girls with agency, courage, and magical powers who didn’t rely on tragedy to find strength. Reflecting on her motivations, Bell recalls the lack of female superheroes in popular culture at the time she began writing the book: “I wanted my nieces to see teen girls with magic being heroes and saving the world… to show that boys and girls can be friends and work terrifically well together as a team.” Her stories focus on strong familial bonds, the evolving nature of teen friendships, and a clear departure from the trope of parental loss as a character motivator.
Balancing magic with realism is one of Bell’s narrative strengths. She weaves fantasy with modern challenges, often in humorous or clever ways—like figuring out how to navigate the constant presence of cell phones in a story where secrecy and mystery are key. “They can search engine answers so easily these days,” she laughs, adding that even writing mystery scenes can surprise her. “That moment you realize… ‘Oh, that’s what that is.’ I giggled for hours.”
Writing The Butterfly Stone and its sequel presented challenges, especially maintaining continuity across books. Bell eventually created a “bible” of characters and locations to stay organized—but even then, she admits, mistakes happen. Still, with the support of beta readers and editors, she has crafted a world that fans eagerly return to.
Bell’s writing routine is fueled by familiar comforts—coffee, chocolate, and creativity. “When you feel good, the words flow,” she says. Whether it’s morning train rides or a favorite soundtrack, Bell believes in harnessing whatever tools help keep procrastination at bay. “With social media aiding and abetting in distraction, it takes more willpower than ever to focus on getting the words down.”
At the heart of the Stones of Power series lies a message of empowerment. Bell hopes readers—especially young girls—see themselves in her characters: capable, brave, and worthy. “They can be leaders. Champions. Friends. That the magic inside them was there all along,” she says. “They are not ‘just’ or ‘only’ anything. They are awesome.”
Looking ahead, Bell is excited to share that Books Four and Five of the Stones of Power series are now with her publisher, Wyvern’s Peak Publishing. Wrapping up Tracey’s story has been a labor of love, and fans can expect even more to come. “There might be something new on the horizon too,” she teases. “Watch this space.”
Laurie Bell’s work is a beacon in fantasy literature, reminding readers that magic lives not only in spells and battles, but in everyday strength, friendship, and the courage to be yourself.
Source: Reader’s House Interview with Laurie Bell
