Today is the twenty-third in a series of posts by San-Diego-based writer Thomas Shess who has decided to keep a journal on his journey to find a publisher for his novel.

Happy Holidays. I saw Santa Claus in Walnut Creek, California last week. He was driving his other sled, a 1985 Honda Civic. No doubt he was heading to the nearest mall while the big sled got tuned up for the big day-only ten days away. Tempted as I was to pull Santa over and make my request in person for a publisher or a literary agent for my recently completed (and edited) thriller novel, the urge escaped me.

Dear Santa. I did return to my son Zac's home in nearby Pleasant Hill (nary a white picket fence, but it sure is suburbia) to work with grandson Cole's letter to Santa. I worked on it a few minutes longer because this will probably be the final year he truly believes. I added a PS to the note for me requesting one of those software kits that help you write a novel.

New Work. My goal is to begin writing a second novel while I'm working on marketing the first. This next one I'm going to follow the novel writing software and see how that works. What's the gamble? The first novel was a long ride with more stops and starts than a mid-city transit bus. Novel #2, heretofore dubbed "El Segundo," will be an exploration into software-enhanced writing combined with many years of acquired wisdom. The adventure begins shortly after Santa exits the chimney.

Promise Me. El Segundo will be written from a completed outline. This will be a well thought out opus. No jumping into the unknown without a parachute. I'm going to save all the mid-writing "brainstorms" in a notebook for when I finish the first draft. If the idea still holds water, I'll consider a revision. But there will be no revisions made until I've completed the first draft wall to wall, beginning to end.

Lest He Forgets. While waiting for Santa, I went on the Internet to check on fiction writing software-just in case Santa was in cahoots with all those agents and publishers who have been ignoring me. There was quite a selection of software. Here are three that I'm interested in.

(a). Writer's Café, $50. (b). StoryWeaver, $29. (c). Dramatica Pro, $180.

Also, check a list of free software demos. The demos are free but you can't save your copy unless you buy the whole package.

I'd appreciate any feedback "before I buy" if you have any comments on such software packages for beginning writer's, drop me a line.

Take a Look. If the suspense is killing any Publisher and literary agent out there while I finish my next new work, you might take a glance at the revised synopsis of my first novel. Contact me. I've already had a writer with Newsweek contact me regarding my progress. He said I only have a chance of a story if I get published. I said, I'd let him be the first to know. In the meantime, me and the Maytag repairman are buddies. Am I discouraged? Heck no. This is too much fun. See you at the mall.

* Because it's a jungle out there.