West Michigan author draws hometown inspiration for new fantasy adventure

West Michigan author LeAnn Kelley doesn’t have to travel far for inspiration — much of it comes straight from the places she’s known since childhood. The creator of The Tales of Iryvalya series says the region’s woods, lakes, and quiet trails often influence the landscapes in her fantasy world.

“I spent so much time wandering the woods as a kid that I think my brain just decided every forest must lead to another world,” she says. 

Those early adventures helped shape Iryvalya’s lush environments and sense of exploration. She even included a playful nod to her hometown by naming one of the moons Lowyll, inspired by Lowell.

Kelley’s interest in writing started in second grade with a short illustrated class assignment — a small project that made a big impression. Years later, the idea for her heroine, Nyrieve, arrived unexpectedly while she waited for a Michigan author event to start. 

“I pulled out my old BlackBerry and typed as fast as I could,” she says. “I didn’t want the idea to disappear.”

Building fantasy worlds

Though she once leaned toward paranormal stories, fantasy won her over with its flexibility. Real-life details still slip into her work, too: a character’s love of cooking comes from her mother-in-law, and World of Warcraft fans may notice a few familiar Easter eggs.

Kelley encourages aspiring writers to stay flexible and keep going, even on slow days. “If you’re doing anything that moves the story forward — even a little — you’re making progress,” she says.

The Tales of Iryvalya: Horizons is now available in paperback and eBook formats through major retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Learn more at www.Leannkelley.com.

Rapid Growth recently caught up with Kelley for a Q&A about her creative process and the ways Grand Rapids continues to spark her imagination.

Rapid Growth: You grew up in West Michigan and still call the Grand Rapids area home. How has living in this region influenced your imagination, your writing process, or even the landscapes and themes woven into The Tales of Iryvalya series?

LeAnn Kelley: I’ve lived most of my life in West Michigan — even after moving out of state twice (to New Mexico and Florida), I felt pulled back home to my friends, family, and the beautiful landscapes this region offers. When I was young, I loved wandering through the woods for hours, following streams and spotting wildlife. During those adventures, I constantly imagined unique worlds I might stumble into and the kind of stories I could have within them.

When I began writing the world of Iryvalya, those memories — the woods, the lakes, the quiet magic of nature — naturally shaped its lush landscapes. I also wanted to pay homage to my hometown of Lowell, so I named one of the moons in my world Lowyll as a little tribute.

RG: You’ve said that creating worlds and characters has been a lifelong dream, one that took years to reach. Can you share how your writing journey began and what finally pushed you to start turning your ideas into full novels?

LK: I still remember being in second grade when we were assigned to write a little book with our own drawings alongside. It was only about 10 pages, but I absolutely loved creating something new. As an avid reader, I realized early on that I could build my own worlds, too.

Throughout my life, I started many different stories, but never got more than a few chapters in before stopping. That changed one day when I was waiting to see fellow Michigan author Kim Harrison (the Hollows series) being interviewed by George R. R. Martin. Sitting in the audience, this idea suddenly came to me — an elf who had been abandoned and was now meant to help save her world. I started typing as many notes as I could on my BlackBerry before the interview began.

When I got home, I researched the idea to make sure it wasn’t something I had unknowingly borrowed. Once I knew it was truly my own, I started writing Nyrieve’s story and building the world of Iryvalya.

RG: Fantasy is a genre that requires deep world-building, mythology, and emotional complexity, all of which you bring to life in Horizons. What drew you specifically to fantasy, and how did you know this was the genre where your stories truly belonged?

LK: Honestly, this book series is my first real attempt at writing fantasy. Before this, I mostly wrote paranormal-style stories, though I always loved reading fantasy. What drew me in was the freedom — I could build the world exactly the way it needed to be for my characters.

With most other genres, both the characters and the world are limited by reality. In fantasy, I can bring dragons to life, create a tree that sprouts a leaf when someone is born, invent characters whose hair shifts color as they age, and so much more.

Fantasy is definitely a challenging genre because of the level of detail and consistency required. I rely heavily on notes and reference sheets to keep track of every character and location. But the creativity it allows makes all that work worth it.

RG: Readers often fall in love with the small details, such as the quirks of a character, a piece of culture, or a magical element that make Iryvalya feel real. Are there everyday moments, people, or experiences from your own life that end up shaping those rich details in your books?

LK: Absolutely — real life often sneaks into my writing. One of the first examples that comes to mind is the character Rowzey. She’s a motherly figure who is constantly enthusiastic about her cooking and sauces. That was inspired by my mother-in-law, Rose. While she’s not nearly as eccentric as Rowzey, her passion for cooking definitely shaped the character.

I also weave in various conversations or funny exchanges I’ve had over the years, reshaping them into moments between my characters.

And for a fun one: if you’re familiar with World of Warcraft, there’s a famous Leeroy Jenkins! video clip that almost every WoW player knows. Since I love WoW, I named two characters Leyhroi and Jynkins as little Easter eggs for fellow gamers.

RG: Many aspiring writers struggle with where to begin or how to stay motivated through the long process of finishing a novel. What advice would you offer to someone who dreams of writing their own book but isn’t sure how to start or keep going?

I struggled for years to stay motivated and finish my novels. What helped me most was letting go of the idea that the story had to follow a strict plan. I always had a general direction, but sometimes the characters didn’t want to do what I originally intended — because it didn’t feel true to who they were. Once I started listening to the characters, the story flowed much more naturally.

I also don’t force myself to write a certain amount each day. Instead, I set a weekly word count goal. If I hit all of it in one day or spread it out over all seven, it still counts. Forcing myself to write daily usually led to writing I wasn’t happy with.

Most importantly, progress doesn’t only mean writing chapters. Some days I’d just work on character details, creature ideas, or world-building notes. As long as you’re doing something that moves your story forward, you’re making progress.

The biggest advice I can give is this: don’t give up. Even if it takes years, even if life gets in the way, your dreams don’t expire unless you stop chasing them.