Might I suggest more range time? You are right that target shooting is fun and a lot of ranges have ladies night where you only have to pay for your ammo.
Try different guns until you find one that feels comfortable. I recently tried a 12 ga. with a modified shorter stock and was surprised at how much easier it handled.
With hand guns it is the same thing you need one that fits you. If you are a 5'1" female who wears a size five shoe like I am then the traditional sized guns are not going to feel comfortable in your hands.
I took my wife to the range to shoot my .45 when we first started dating only to find out that she was a better shot than me, and I'm an ex-cop. Funny thing is, that she had never handled a firearm of any kind prior to that. I encouraged her by taking her several more times. She is 5'4 weighs 120 lbs dripping wet, and carries a Smith & Wesson J-frame .38 Special revolver all the time now.
5'2, size 5 1/2, until my daughter grew up I was the tallest female in my family LOL. My snake gun is a youth gun.