Oy! the Query Letter!

Remember back in school when you had that big test and no matter how much you studied you never felt ready? Or when you had to write an essay and every page you wrote ended up in the trash because it just didn't express what you wanted to say quite good enough?
There it is; The Query Letter.
I've got about six written, three that might be good enough and none that I actually want to send out. I've read lots of stuff on queries, had query classes at critique groups and all that stuff but still....I worry.
I've stared at my manuscript for months, I know every nuance, every little quirk and plot line but am I conveying that in the query? Am I forgetting something important because I can't see the plot for the words? Hmmmm, not sure.
I'm tempted to send it to the Query Shark and let her hack it to pieces. But then you can never be sure if she'll pick your letter.
One of the problems I have is with my bio....I'm boring, no writing credits to speak of. (too bad blogging and twittering don't count!) and my real life job has nothing to do with writing. My platform is; I like to write stories...

Investigating Agents

Since I'm taking a break from writing for this week. (Okay, I've written a little bit but basically I'm off) I'm researching agents. I started with Agent Query which links me to their websites where I read the bio on the agent and their "wants". If they are accepting new clients and cover the genre of my work then I book on over to Predator's and Editors and see how they fair there. Then I make a page for them in my book. I save this for later when the query letter is perfected.
Which brings us to the dreaded Query. Some agencies have specific forms on their website to put your Query into. How do you feel about that? I'm not sure, still thinking on it. I mean if they have a square for Bio and you have none...what do you do? What if they ask for my platform? (I hate that word...platform? It's just a story with some romance.) Can anyone give me a clear definition of "platform?"
So if you find an agent who covers your genre and see on their website lots of really big writers who write in your genre...do you think its a waste to query them? I mean, maybe they have enough of that kind of writer? Or would you have a better chance there because they really, really like that kind of story?

139,750 words...too much?

So while waiting for my editing buddy to finish my latest WIP I'm looking at a story I wrote last year but shelved. I like my story, characters and all that but the ending was flat. I absolutely hate cop-out endings in books. Like when you read a great book, a real page turner and then the ending is a WTF moment. Like what were they thinking? Where's the climax? The promised drama? The OMG ending?
So in that other story I hated that I didn't have a better ending so I shelved it.
For a year.
And now I have it! I'm real excited about my ending now and I open up the old story and realize it's over 500 pages. Ayyaakk! Could any newbie possibly interest an agent in a 500 page book?
Ugh! Now I'm going back through this story that I love with some mental scissors.
This ever happen to you?

Finding an Agent

Ok, the Wip is whipped and turned over to wonderful person who catches all my crap to give a last look. I've got another Wip in the works but right now i don't feel like working on it. I think I need a brief respite from living in that other world.
So I've been agent surfing.
:)
I visit quite a few agent blogs and thought I had a "Dream Agent" list in my head but now as I start to reread their wants and guidelines I'm beginning to waver.
This particular Wip is a little different from what I've written in the past. It's a paranormal romance involving angels. Very hard to find that on an agent's wish list so I'm looking for those who handle both paranormal and romance. I've got a list of six so far. I want to query seven at a time because that's my lucky number. The number three has also been lucky so maybe I'll do seven agents and three pub houses?
(I'm thinking Wild Rose Press might bite on this one)
Now I've come to the point where I'm building my dream agent in my head and here's what I've come up with:
1. Must represent paranormal romance but also thrillers.
2. Must be on east coast, preferably NYC area. (so we can meet one day!)
3. Must have experience. Some kind of decent track record.
4. I think I'd work better with a woman. I think they'd understand romance books better. Are there any men agents who sell a lot of romance. They also have a better chance of understanding my sometimes weird sense of humor.
5. Must at least slip me an email every now and then letting me know whats going on. I don't need love notes but a quicky will do.
6. Can tell me up front of how they will sell my book. I'm a newbie, I need details!
I think that's it so far...any other suggestions?
If you're agented, how did you find them and are they your dream agent?

Her Sanctuary: A review

I was wandering around over at Wild Rose Press a couple of weeks ago and came across this book by Toni Anderson.
One of the things I like about Wild Rose Press is the way they set up their lines. Each genre is a different kind of Rose. Her Sanctuary is from the Crimson Rose Line which means its Romantic Suspense...my favorite read!
Her Sanctuary looks like its the first book from this author and I'm very impressed. A lot of times I read books and my hands itch to edit but with this book I wanted a highlighter so I could go back and read the wonderful way this author put her words together. The word "poetic" came to mind in her beautiful descriptions and turn of phrase.
The book blurb from Wild Rose Press: Running for her life, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward escapes to Montana with a new identity. She craves peace and solitude, but instead finds handsome rancher, Nat Sullivan. Nat is trying to hold his ailing family together, while struggling to keep the ranch from bankruptcy. The last thing he needs is a beautiful stranger reminding him there is more to life than work. But Elizabeth isn't what she seems. And when a murderer and rapist track her down to the remote ranch, they all find out about the power of revenge. Revenge or Redemption. Which would you choose?
This book was so good I carried it around with me so I could read every spare minute! Elizabeth's back story was carefully woven in and my heart went out to her. The handsome rancher was just as real and I think I'm in love with him. :)
Definately a great read!

Guitar Mama?

Our house has lots of instruments. Piano, French Horn, Trumpet, Sax, Violin, Banjo, two electric Guitars, one Classical and three other Guitars (but I'm not sure what they're called.)
I can't play any of them. However, I suddenly have the urge to learn.
My daughter is teaching me the basics but the one thing I'm not liking is the fact that I have to generate callouses on my finger tips. Can anyone tell me why they haven't invented something to put on your finger tips so you can play without pain???
That's the hardest part. And you have to cut your nails.
I don't want to do that but ... I will. I keep looking at them, thinking how nice they look, even, long enough, and I have to chop them off. :(
I also keep looking at the Guitars scattered around the family room. The one I play is on the coffee table. It's black and shiny. I love picking it up and running through the few cords I've been shown. (My nails still get in the way but ... soon...)
Anyone out there starting an instrument? How's it going?
Do you think there's hope at my age?
Also any help with the callous issue would be appreciated.