I just put another query letter in an envelope, with an SASE, to send to an agent I'm feeling rather hopeful about.

I'm so anxious to get the first novel out there, in the hands of someone who'll look at it seriously, and help me get it in shape for publication. Looking at agents' websites sometimes gives me the feeling that they'll only consider perfect manuscripts -- and what writer ever feels her manuscript is perfect? Good, yes, perfect, not likely. You have to have confidence to seek publication, but if you're serious about your work, it never seems quite good enough. You have to just find the right moment in the writing, I guess, when you've done enough, and feel that the flaws (there will always be flaws) are unimportant.

And sometimes I just feel I'm swimming against the tide of plot-centered, sensational, over-sexualized trash. I write what I like to read -- stories about people who take life seriously. Does anyone else want to read such things?

Anyhow, this agent seems to like working with authors on their writing, as well as the business and legal end of the process. Maybe this time ...