Creditors are capitalists. They want two things from you. That you pay on time, and that they keep your business, and thus further profit, if you show them you are a valued customer.
Sending out GW letters that primarily plead hardships on your part, such as my wife left me, the roof is a'leaking, my dawg just died, I was unemployed, etc., dont paint a pretty picture for them to have reasonable expectation of continued, timely future payments. They can do more harm than good.
If you discuss past hardship as a basis for GW, then IMHO, it is important to show that that hardship is gone, and will no longer impact your future ability to pay timely.
Emphasize your years of sound business with them, and this was just a blip. Emphasize your earnest intent, should GW be offered, to do further business with them in recognition of their good will to you as a creditor. Make them want to keep you, not show pity on you. They are in the business of profit, not social work.
