The Creative Force Behind Casey Harvell’s Books

Photo: The talented Casey Harvell, author of the acclaimed Electric Series and motivational influencer, fuels her world through creativity and storytelling.

When Creativity Powers Fiction and Empowerment

Casey Harvell discusses her wide-ranging works, from her remarkable Electric Series to her uplifting affirmation book Thought Food, exploring creativity’s influence on her writing and empowering female narratives.

C  asey Harvell has etched her remarkable presence in the literary world with her imaginative storytelling and inspirational works. A multi-genre powerhouse, she impresses with everything from dystopian science fiction to poignant tales of empowerment. Her compelling Electric Series earned 5-star recognition from USA Today and showcases her talent for intertwining thrills, romance, and young adult struggles in apocalyptic settings. Casey’s creativity flows effortlessly across genres, whether crafting gritty fiction, insightful self-help books like Thought Food, or exploring complex themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment. Readers, get ready to be inspired by an author who truly embodies her personal mantra: “Because if I can, I will.”

Casey Harvell inspires with diverse stories of resilience, power, and empowerment—her creativity knows no bounds, crossing genres masterfully.

What inspired you to write “Doesn’t Play Well With Others,” and how did Selene’s character come to life? 

Selene, like all my characters, is a product of my overactive imagination. A lot of writers have different writing practices. Mine is to listen and try to keep up with them. I adore her crassness but should warn readers that the f-bomb usage is mighty throughout these pages. 

How much of your personal experiences or background influenced the themes in “The Wrong Way”? 

For The Wrong Way, I wanted to give some realistic views to poverty. I thought it was important to reflect that not everyone has resources and that sometimes everyone needs help from others. Beyond that, it’s all fiction.

“Why you should read it: Welcome to The Electric Series with Charged: Reboot (book one) and Shocked (book two) by Casey Harvell. This Young Adult tale of adventure, friendship and romance starts on a gradual climb toward an apocalyptic disaster. Once the ball starts rolling, the pace maintains at a steady clip with bad guys coming after the good guys — fun and suspenseful with a young heroine, Kat, who is ready to lead the way to survival.

What inspired the concept of the “Electric Series,” and how did you develop Kat’s journey and her unique powers? 

It began when streetlights I walked under either went out or lit up randomly. That spawned a how-cool-would-it-be-to-control-electricity thought process. Next up was the dystopian element. I wanted something different. When I found the Grey-Goo Theory, a series was born.

How did your own journey in self-publishing shape the creation of “Thought Food” and its message of self-love and empowerment? 

Thought Food is a one-a-day self-love affirmation book. It doesn’t really relate to my self-publishing journey but is rather a product of my own healing journey. Positive self-affirmations are something I practice daily. I wanted to share the impact of them with others. I chose a one-a-day after watching someone read the AA book daily. I’m not knocking it—but I thought people might benefit more from positivity than constantly being chastised.

How did growing up in the Hudson Valley influence the diverse settings or characters in your books? 

The Hudson Valley is a melting pot of cultures, food, ideas, concepts, art, and more. The area itself is beautiful, mountains surround it. It has fancy parts and not-so-fancy parts. It’s a train ride away from NYC or a few hours’ drive to the ocean on Long Island. It really gave me the opportunity to experience a broad range of areas and cultures which I could then apply to my writing.

“Because if I can, I will.” – Casey Harvell

Are there any hidden messages or themes in your books that you hope readers will uncover? 

I try to show capable and powerful women whenever possible. Any other theme or message will usually be stated within the disclaimer or at the end.

Which of your books do you feel most personally connected to, and why? 

That’s probably a toss-up between Thought Food (for the reasons listed above) and the Electric Series. In the Electric Series, minus the apocalypse of course, I did have a connection with the characters. Wrapping the series up was bittersweet. 

Are there any challenges you faced when writing in multiple genres, and how did you adapt your writing process? 

I never really found it challenging to breach from one genre to another. The only notable adaption would be the research behind non-fiction and citing sources, whereas fictional research can be coerced to fit the storyline.

“I write stuff.” – Casey Harvell 

How do you handle the emotional aspect of writing about difficult topics like abuse or mental health in some of your works? 

I think the most important part about writing difficult issues is to keep it raw and honest. It’s not a time to sugarcoat something. I want the reader there, in that moment, to experience it for themselves because knowledge is power.

What writing tips would you offer aspiring authors looking to improve their craft? 

Write. Don’t worry about what you’re writing or what someone else will think about it. Don’t think that you must go about it a certain way, either. There is no wrong way to make art, that’s what makes art beautiful. Just keep writing, at your pace, your own way. 

What advice do you have for aspiring authors considering self-publishing? 

Self-publishing is a wonderful option for authors outside of the traditional publishing industry. I will note to make sure you put your best book forward when you do, meaning don’t rush it. Readers will know. When you do publish, even the most flawless work, some people won’t like it. That’s how it’s supposed to be so don’t get discouraged. My best advice is don’t quit. Keep going.

How do your other creative pursuits, such as graphic design or other hobbies, influence your storytelling and character development in your books?

Creativity fuels creativity, whether they’re related of not. Think of it like a muscle, the more you build it, the more you can do with it.