[Nelson]

thanks for the plug, Jen. Glad you like the book.

As to the myth of length, as the old joke goes, it ain't the size of the wave, it's the motion of the ocean. I always advocate writing a letter just long enough to say everything you need to say, and not a word longer. some adoption professionals will try to limit you to a single page, offering the rational that EPs get bored and don't like to read, but i find this position highly insulting to a woman's intellegence. An expectant parent is making one of the biggest decisions in their life, and they deserve as much information as they can get that will help them make an informed choice.

On the other hand, you don't want you letter to be radically different in legnth than the ones it will be viewed with, so I also advise lookin at examples of other letter your adoption pro has, and staying within a respectable range of them.

In most cases, 2-3 pages provides plenty of info for a letter of introduction, but that is just a general guideline.

Do keep in mind the wisdom of writer Blaise Pascal, who once famously signed off a letter with the apologia, "I'm sorry this letter was so long. I did not have time to make it shorter." I good letter should be written and rewritten until it is succinct and to the point. Be rigorous with your editing to eliminate unnecessary verbiage. Use active verbs and avoid overusing the verb "to be" (I am, he is, we are, it is). active writing helps even long letter read quickly.

In the end, be guided by your heart. does the letter say all that you would wish for a first introduction? if so, it is the correct legnth.