Btw-- Your profile says you are working on writing a Sci/fi novel. I wrote one, that has a good number of Sci/fi elements, so, maybe I can give you a few pointers, if you need some, to help you in your writings. NOW.. If I could only get a publisher for mine.....
I completely understand your frustration, and as someone who watched her sister in law consistently go for the trashy men (long long story that broke my heart at one point). I dont know why. I really don't.
*shakes hands heartily* as they say in Master and Commander "a glass of wine with you!"
Ive been "working" (read : thinking) on that since high school. Because of life and family, have found excuses to put it off until tomorrow. But am creeping my way back into the writing fold. Right now my thoughts are taken up with some fanfiction, but I am working with some highly talented and tough writers who are giving me wonderful inspiration. I think for me half the effort involves being with other writers, and that sort of company is amazingly small where I live.
Its been a while since I have made the effort to send anything to a publisher, but I am sure you keep up to date with the Writers Market book that is published each year. I dont know the first thing about getting an agent, but there might be names listed in that book that will lead you to one. The Writers Market is highly credible in its listings and they should not lead you astray with unscrupulous agents/publishers. Usually if one of those proves to be false, the others are the first to know about it and very swift to act on it.
I would enjoy staying in touch to discuss writing! Just ping me :D