THE END... OR... THE BEGINNING...? (Regardless, am off to Harrogate!).

It's five in the morning and I've just finished my second attempt at a crime novel, and sent it off to my agent, Nat Sobel.
It's been a tough year, after getting tantalisingly close with the first attempt, and gleaning amazing compliments from respected editors (who still didn't buy it!), then having to repeat the arduous process, while wondering if I could put myself through it all again.   
It sounds like I didn't enjoy the process, but I did, only it's such a strain, mentally, having to try and balance family life, a demanding job and writing.  It's been a very bumpy journey, one only other writers can truly understand, so I hope it's all been worthwhile. 
The first 'novel' is sat on my hard drive and, with a few tweaks, I still have faith in it.  Regarding the manuscript I've just sent to Nat, I (we) had a total rethink and it was a BIG ask, throughout which I had to stretch myself more than that bendy bloke off the Fantastic Four!  I'd set myself a target to finish it before the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival.  So mission accomplished! ;-)
Just pray Nat likes it. EEK! ;-)