Writing update and new year goals

I hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday!

I have used most of my holiday time to write. I am very pleased to say that on December 28th I finished a rough draft of my novel for 9-12 year olds! The draft is 27,000 words. The completed novel will be about 32,000 words, but I skimped on a few sections so that I could get the full story down while it was still in my head. It is a complete story as is but the 5,000 words I plan to add will be a sub plot (which I have already touched on in the story) that will add richness to the story. I also have come up with an idea that leaves the book open to a sequel.

I will now go back and revise a chapter or 2 a week and plan to send it to publishers in June.

So, starting Monday I will put the other 90% of my energy into finishing my screenplay.

Now that my play is officially ready, I have been researching play companies that I can query. I have narrowed it down to 100 but may not send it to all of them. Most ask you to send a synopsis and 10 page sample first, so I really need to get my synopsis ready. I feel very confident that they will like my play if they actually read it, so I need the write up to intrigue them so they will read further. I plan to tackle that tomorrow.

I have to say queries, synopsis and researching companies are the boring side of writing, but they are vital if one is serious about becoming a writer. What good is the greatest piece of writing in the world if it no one ever sees it? Too bad these things take so much time.

Christmas was fantastic. I got the iphone I wanted and have been having a lot of fun with it! We ate fantastic Indian food for new years and we have watched quite a few movies!

Happy Holidays! :)