Guest Post: Kelly Hess

My 5 tips for new writers:

1. Just write. Turn off the editor in your head and put words on the page. You can turn the editor back on later when you have something to edit.

2. Nobody writes a good first draft. They all suck. You’re no different.

3. There will be times when you will look back on your work and hate it. Don’t go crazy with the delete key. Walk away. After some time, go back and look at it again, you might find it’s better than you thought. If not, try to figure out what you don’t like and fix it.

4. Try to write something every day. It’s easy to fall out of the habit.

5. Learn from criticism, but don’t take it personally. Some people won’t like what you’ve written. You can’t please everyone. Try to listen to what they’re saying with an open mind, and then you decide if they know what they’re talking about or not. Sometime they do!

About Kelly Hess's book:

Tensions rise between Delvengard and Sorak as the Sorak queen demands the return of the Blade of Torrill. As Delvengard scrambles to locate the mythical weapon, many fear war is inevitable. Fritz, who secretly possesses the dagger,  is tormented by its evil. Eager to take control of its power, he journeys in search of a mysterious being who may be able to help. The Green Dagger, Book Two of the BlackMyst Trilogy, continues the adventure, five years after the events of Book One, Eyes of the Enemy.

About Kelly Hess:

Kelly Hess grew up with a love of reading science fiction and fantasy that inspired him to write his own fantasy trilogy. He lives in Vacaville, California with his wife and son, and is putting the final details on the last two books of his BlackMyst Trilogy: The Green Dagger and The Third Power.

Excerpt from The Green Dagger:

The people of Veiled Gorge slept peacefully. The small, shrouded village remained a quiet and tranquil community despite the chaotic events of five years ago. No longer did every conversation among villagers dwell on the attack of General Akkrid or the liberation of the village, with the help of the Sorak no less. The new Council Chamber, built taller and stronger, stood as a symbol of pride and resilience to those who had lived through the attack years ago. Life in Veiled Gorge had returned to normal.

Ave Wilkory, the village mayor for going on eleven years, was regarded by most as the guiding force that had helped the village to heal and rebuild. Only the new hot-tempered councilman opposed the mayor on most issues. Regardless, the village had recovered, and it had healed, and its people slept easy, feeling safe and secure in their homes again.

But, on this night, a dark presence lingered in the shadows. A mysterious intruder slipped through the quiet village, fracturing the fragile sense of security that was so difficult to embrace by many. While no physical harm was done, villagers were left with the painful feeling of being violated. Precious heirlooms were taken and family treasures stolen.

On this night, that which was forgotten was again remembered, and loose ends from long ago began to unravel, revealing a new and darker chapter to the story.

The Green Dagger on Amazon