SpencerWhitelow,The Writer

TWENTY YEARS LATER: THE INK NEVER DRIED Chapter One — The Invitation Marcus Reed stared at the invitation for three days before opening it. MCKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL — 20-YEAR CLASS REUNION “Absolutely not.” He tossed it onto the kitchen table. Ten minutes later, he picked it back up. “Still no.” By Friday night, Marcus had read the invitation so many times he practically knew the font personally. At forty years old, he had mastered the art of pretending the past didn't bother him. He had left Detroit years ago, moved around, worked several jobs, survived relationships that should've come with warning labels, and spent almost two decades telling himself that high school was ancient history. But it wasn't. Not really. Marcus had never attended a reunion. Not the five-year. Not the ten-year. Not the fifteen-year gathering somebody threw together at a bar downtown. Every time someone asked why, Marcus gave the same answer. “I've got better things to do.” The truth w...

📖✨ A Heartfelt Journey in Words: Reviewing My New Poetry Chapbook There is something special about poetry. You can read a novel and become invested in the characters, but a poem can take just a few lines and somehow reach straight into your emotions. That is exactly what makes a poetry chapbook such an intimate reading experience. My new poetry chapbook is an invitation to slow down, turn the page, and spend a little time with words, emotions, memories, relationships, and the stories that live inside all of us. ❤️ Poetry That Comes From the Heart This chapbook is about emotion. It explores the kinds of feelings that can be difficult to explain in everyday conversation—love, longing, connection, heartbreak, hope, reflection, and the complicated experiences that come with being human. The poems are designed to be accessible and personal. You don't need to be a lifelong poetry reader to enjoy them. You can simply pick up the book, read a poem, and allow yourself to c...

How to Be a Poet: Stop Waiting for Permission and Start Writing People sometimes make poetry sound like something you need permission to do. You need a degree. You need perfect grammar. You need to understand every complicated literary term. You need to have a book published. You need thousands of followers quoting your work. No, you don’t. If you write poetry, you are a poet. The bigger question is: How do you become a better poet and develop a voice people recognize as yours? That takes practice, honesty, observation, and the courage to put your feelings on the page. Start With Something You Actually Feel Some of the strongest poems begin with something simple. “I miss you.” “I’m angry.” “I thought I was over you.” “I’m broke.” “I’m getting older.” “I finally love myself.” Those sentences might not look like poetry yet, but they contain something poetry needs: emotion. You can decorate a poem with beautiful words, but if there is nothing underneath those w...

Love, Lies & Lake Shore Drive Review: A Murder Mystery Full of Secrets, Suspense, and Chicago Drama What happens when a glamorous rooftop party turns into a murder scene? That's the question at the heart of Love, Lies & Lake Shore Drive , a fast-paced LGBTQ+ romantic suspense novel that blends mystery, romance, political corruption, and enough shocking twists to keep readers guessing until the very last page. The story begins with what should have been an unforgettable night in Chicago. A rooftop party filled with influencers, socialites, and powerful people quickly turns into a nightmare when celebrity gossip king Darius King is found dead below the building. Suddenly, everyone becomes a suspect. At the center of the chaos is Marcus Reed , a man who has spent years trying to avoid unnecessary drama while building a peaceful life in Chicago. Unfortunately for Marcus, peace doesn't last long. Before he knows it, detectives are asking questions, anonymou...

11 Years of Blogging... and My Bank Account Is Still Waiting! Let me confess something that might make other bloggers clutch their pearls. I've been blogging for 11 years. Eleven. Years. And if you're expecting me to say I'm making six figures, driving a luxury car, or sipping cocktails on a beach because of my blog... Wrong answer! My blog has given me views, comments, and plenty of opinions—but that magical money everyone on YouTube keeps talking about? Baby, it must have missed my address! Don't get me wrong. I love blogging. I really do. But sometimes I look at my analytics and think, "These people sure know how to visit without bringing their wallets." I mostly write about reality TV, pop culture, celebrity gossip, and evergreen topics. One day I'm breaking down who's arguing on reality TV, and the next day I'm writing something that people can find years from now. It's a wild ride. The funny part? Every week someone on social ...

Your First Draft Is Supposed to Be a Hot Mess: A Review of Esmie Pearson's Writing Advice Every writer has been there. You open a blank document, type three sentences, delete five, stare at the blinking cursor, suddenly decide your kitchen needs cleaning, and somehow end up watching reality TV instead of writing your novel. Sound familiar? That's exactly why bestselling author Esmie Pearson's video hits home. Instead of pretending writing is all sunshine, inspiration, and perfectly crafted chapters, she tells the truth: your first draft is going to be ugly... and that's okay. Now let's spill the tea. Stop Trying to Win a Pulitzer on Page One One thing Esmie makes crystal clear is that perfection is the biggest scam writers keep falling for. Too many aspiring authors write one paragraph, read it back, cringe, and immediately hit Delete. Baby... WHO told you the first draft had to be cute? Nobody. Your first draft is supposed to look like it survived a hur...