The Magic of Amberlight Valley: Creating a Fictional World
Step into a realm where magick shimmers in every corner, and wonder dances on the wind…
Welcome to Amberlight Valley.
Nestled at the foot of the majestic Amberlight Mountain, this cozy, whimsical town is steeped in charm, mystery, and the quiet echoes of ancient stories whispered through the woods. It is said that those with goodness in their hearts are somehow drawn here, finding their way to the Valley just when they need it most. And once they arrive, their own journey of growth and self-discovery begins.
Here, magick thrives not just in spells and potions, but in the way differences are celebrated, in the way hearts open, and in the quiet, powerful lessons of bravery, friendship, and love.
The Inspiration Behind Amberlight Valley
What inspired you to create this world?
Amberlight Valley was born out of a need for a setting that felt both familiar and filled with possibility. I wanted a place that could offer the same warmth and comfort as the small towns in my favorite stories, like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, but with a little more magick. I pictured a place where the sun sets over golden hills, casting a spell on the valley, transforming it into something otherworldly. The landscape emerged from a mix of my fondness for Pike’s Peak in Colorado’s majestic beauty and the peaceful, quiet charm of The White Mountains in Arizona. The valley is a reflection of my love for cozy escapes—where magic is real, and every corner has a story waiting to unfold.
I pictured a place where the sun sets over golden hills, casting a spell on the valley, transforming it into something otherworldly.
How does Amberlight Valley connect to themes in your own life or your storytelling philosophy?
The valley itself represents the balance between light and shadow, offering a space where magick and everyday life coexist, and where growth happens not through perfection, but through the acceptance of imperfection. It’s a reminder that no matter the hardships we face, there’s always room for hope, renewal, and the magick that comes from embracing change.
Amberlight Valley is deeply connected to the themes of healing, transformation, and finding light in darkness, which are central to both my life and my storytelling philosophy. I’ve always believed that the stories we tell—whether in books or in our own lives—have the power to heal and change us. Amberlight Valley embodies this belief, acting as a place where characters can come to terms with their pasts and discover new strengths.
Building a World from Scratch
How did you approach world-building?
When I started world-building Amberlight Valley, I didn’t follow a rigid checklist—I followed a feeling.
I can’t remember the exact moment I decided to sketch a map, but I do remember grabbing a piece of 8.5 x 11 copy paper, curling up with a mechanical pencil, and letting the geography of the world spill out of my imagination. Hills, mountains, lakes, and winding paths revealed themselves one by one. That rough sketch—simple and scribbled—was the seed of something much bigger.
My mom, ever my biggest cheerleader, sent the map and my accompanying notes to our dear friend and artist, Direk Ramie Balbuena, who lovingly transformed it into the breathtaking Amberlight Valley map. He even created a Part B from an additional sketch I made—a connecting piece for the rest of the Amberlight Valley Series, which felt like an invitation from the world itself to keep dreaming deeper.
As for the magick... I didn’t overthink it. I thought about what kind of magick felt true to me, and the answer came effortlessly: the elements, the seasons, the quiet beauty of the natural world. I wanted a kind of sparkly, whimsical elemental magick that didn’t feel forced or foreign, but rather something that already lived within us. That’s where the heart of the world began.
Culturally, I longed to create a place that felt like a balm for the soul—wholesome, kind, and filled with wonder. I wanted Amberlight Valley to feel like a town you could run away to on a hard day. A place where you’re safe, where the people care, and where even the smallest moment might be laced with a bit of everyday enchantment.
To me, world-building isn’t just about structure—it’s about heart. It’s about building a place I want to return to again and again, and then opening the door wide enough for others to join me.
Amberlight Valley Map A - By Direk Ramie Balbuena
Amberlight Valley's Secrets and Mysteries
What hidden aspects of Amberlight Valley would surprise readers?
Oh, I love this question—because Amberlight Valley is full of hidden layers and whispered truths, but I can’t give everything away just yet…
Amberlight Valley takes its name from the legendary Amberlight Stone—a gem said to shine with an enchanting hue, aglow with golden light. Long ago, a powerful sorceress cast a spell upon the stone, ensuring it could only be found by witches and magickal beings who carried the light within—the light of love, kindness, and true heart.
What I can say is that Amberlight Valley is more than just a cozy mountain town. Beneath its golden glow and whimsical charm are echoes of something much older. There are forgotten places tucked between time and memory, ancient magicks that were never fully erased, and relics of stories long untold—waiting for the right eyes to find them.
Some of these secrets are hiding in plain sight. Others are laced quietly through symbols, names, and locations. If you pay close attention, you might start to notice certain patterns or objects showing up again… in different series.
A still from Hashtag Blessed! If you look closely you can see easter eggs for The Christmas Witch several times throughout the film, seeing as the story takes place in Amberlight Valley.
The Starlight Lounge, for instance, isn’t just a place. It’s a threshold. One that exists in more than one story. And more than one world.
I’ve tucked “easter eggs” into every book and every film I’ve worked on—clues that all these stories are part of something larger, something slowly revealing itself like a constellation. Each new tale brings a deeper piece of the mythos to light.
So while Amberlight Valley is a sanctuary of warmth and wonder on the surface, those who look a little closer may find doorways to realms they didn’t even realize were connected.
Let’s just say… you’re not imagining things. And it’s all on purpose. ✨
Why Amberlight Valley Matters to Readers
What do you hope readers take away from the world you have built?
What I hope readers take away from Amberlight Valley is a sense of coming home to themselves—wrapped in wonder, reflection, and deep emotional connection.
I want them to feel like they’ve stepped into a story that sees them. A place that holds both the light and the shadows. Where imperfection is allowed. Where grief and joy can coexist. Where magick doesn’t mean escaping reality—it means rewriting your relationship to it.
Yes, there’s enchantment and sparkle and whimsy—but the real alchemy happens in the quiet moments: a shared look between friends, a choice to be brave, a soft reckoning with truth. I want readers to feel those moments in their bones.
My hope is that readers recognize parts of themselves in the characters—not because they’re perfect, but because they’re real in their growth, doubt, longing, and love. I want someone to close the book and say, “That made me feel less alone,” or “That reminded me who I am.”
So yes, I hope they feel wonder. I hope they reflect. I hope they see the world (and themselves) a little differently after. Because that’s what stories have always done for me—and Amberlight Valley is my way of giving that back.
Amberlight Valley is a place where every season paints the landscape anew, where natural elements and ancient magick live in harmony, and where each soul who arrives is never quite the same.
🕯️ Wander into Amberlight and beyond—sign up for updates, secrets, and the occasional enchanted surprise.
