A memoir query letter.

[Jim Williams]

I decided to post my entire query letter. I don't claim this is unrelated to trolling, except it is only my trolling for literary agents, which is what the letter is supposed to do. I'll claim, here, it is no more than an inside view to my trolling agents. If Scott disagrees, I'd be happy to see it all taken down.

My real reason for posting it is to toughen my hide by exposing it and the letter to the air.
..........................................................................................................
Friends and Enemies
I do not know the names of the enemies who bludgeoned me into a near death coma as I sought to be in my home, hidden deep in Golden Gate Park. Two years later, my physician flinches when I tell her of my accompanying friend’s agreeing to remain quiet while we met; as he does not exist. I take her medicine, and more than one voice vanishes forever.

My memoir begins with a brief medical description of the assault as I go to my receiving a utility patent in 1965. www.google.com/patents/us3200421 I show examples from my perspective on life; then touch on my short marriage, and divorce. I recall my four year old daughter’s death in 1972, and my mother’s death four months later. Left to myself, and in my most vulnerable condition, I join the United Farm Workers full-time, to mutual advantage. After the defeat of a political campaign against the UFW, I move to Fascist Spain.

In Madrid, I participate as an observer to an open heart surgery performed on a little girl my daughter's age, and when left alone with her in the post-op room, I cry to see her eyes open again. I heal from the experience, however, not entirely. Still, mine is not to be the tragic story. I return to the US and recall the years 1973 to 1985. I focus more on my fifteen homeless years, 1985 to 2000; of which ten I live outside on the streets, until the assault occurs. I do take the time to cover my seven years of hearing voices, and years of recovery from them and the streets. I reflect on how, even with my history, I am not only, not among those who would create the violence of a Sandy Hook, but I am someone who shows by overcoming obstacles as I do; how no one needs to be more than who they already are.

I do not have any writing credentials of note. I do subscribe, along with MS Word and Ginger, to Grammarly www.grammarly.com, which I find useful. Besides my rough manuscript of 57,000 words, I have written journals for years, and have also posted 50,000 words at The Bessler Wheel. www.besslerwheel.com. I have found my continued effort to write coherently about the impossible has worked towards me having a capacity at writing.

[murilo]

Jim Williams,
I declare myself as NOT an enemy of your person! (I have some...)
Thanx for sharing biography!
For sure you are in true re-born process!
Congrats!
Not easy to be transformed in a philosopher!
Take care!
M

[Jim Williams]

Murilo:

I've never gotten anything but friendly vibrations from you.

I would guess anyone who reaches their late 60's in age, could benefit from having a look at their own life. I know I recommend it. Selling the book even becomes a secondary goal. I'm glad for that too.

Thanks
Jim W.

[AB Hammer]

Jim Williams

Count me in on purchasing your book when it is published. Just let me know where to get my copy.

Thanks

[murilo]

JW,
thanx for your words!
Since you are 'open' the theme, I'm free to opine.
For many times - much more than I would chose - I have seen suffering and hard experiences make people stay brute, insensible, paranoid and rough...
In some case, as I feel to be yours, the same experiences derives to knowledge, refined levels, tenderness and growing!
Let's wait for the book! 8)
Best!
M

[Jim Williams]

Murilo:

Thanks for the fine compliment.

To the degree my experiences have caused me strengths, I am glad.

Although I still would have preferred not having those experiences.

Jim W.

[getterdone]

Sounds like it will be a good read. Let us know when it's available

[Jim Williams]

Glad to do so.

[Jim Williams]

New query letter again
.........................................................
All I remember from that time is trying to make it to my Golden Gate Park home. Later I learned assailants had bludgeoned me into a coma. After a couple of years, I reveal to my surprised physician my telepathic companion has promised me he would remain quiet. This doctor writes a prescription.

My memoir begins when my Grandfather passes in 1983. In his Will, he had chosen to make me the exclusive inheritor of a Trust. Contrary to his wishes, control of the Trust is taken by others not named, and I go from having a personal life earning my own way into a downward spiral, ending up a schizophrenic street person hearing voices. After medicine stops the voices, I am unable to cope with the end of my imaginary companions, but refusing to stop this medication that stole them from me or moved back to the street, I hit rock bottom, and try to drink myself to death. After having been in emergency rooms more than once for alcohol abuse, I finally realize that even if no cares for me, people do care, and mimicking what I see done for others, permit me to care for myself. It takes me ten years, but I recover.

FRIENDS AND FOES is a memoir in progress at 35,000 words. I have a small federal grant for the sole purpose of my writing this book. My plan includes shattering stigmas and providing hope.

[ovyyus]

Well done Jim. Life finds a way.

[Jim Williams]

ovyyus

I wasn't expecting any responses this time, and so yours warms me rather nicely. Thanks.

Jim W.

[murilo]

Jim Williams,
I declare myself as NOT an enemy of your person! (I have some...)
Thanx for sharing biography!
For sure you are in true re-born process!
Congrats!
Not easy to be transformed in a philosopher!
Take care!
M

DITTO... again and again!!!
Wooooosh....

[Jim Williams]

Murilo:

Again thanks again as well.

Jim W.

[silverfox]

"There is no need
to run outside,
for better seeing...

nor to peer
from a window.

Rather abide
at the centre
of your being,

for the more
you leave it
the less you learn.

Search your heart
and see
if he is wise
who takes each turn...

The way to do...

is to be."


Lao-tzu

[Jim Williams]

Silverfox:

Thank you for revealing to my humble self, me looking at own being. It's true I didn't turn around until I did. I note with interest the line is better seeing, not whether one is seeing.

Jim W.