SpencerWhitelow,The Writer

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...

RHOA Season 17, Episode 16 Review: Friendship Over? Porsha and Shamea's Fallout Reaches the Point of No Return Is This the End of One of Atlanta's Longest Friendships? Well...here we are. After weeks of side-eyes, messy group events, whispered conversations, and enough shade to block the Georgia sunshine, The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17, Episode 16 finally showed us what many fans have been expecting: this friendship may be beyond saving. The biggest story continues to be Porsha Williams and Shamea Morton Mwangi , and at this point, it feels less like two best friends trying to work things out and more like two women keeping receipts for the reunion. Grab your peach because this episode had emotional conversations, questionable loyalty, hilarious confessionals, awkward moments, and enough drama to keep Bravo fans talking all week. Let's get into it. Porsha and Shamea: From Sisters to Strangers If someone told us a year ago that Porsha and Sha...

Is a $0.99 eBook Too Cheap? Here's What You Should Do If you've published an eBook for $0.99 and people keep telling you it's too cheap, you might be wondering if they're right. The truth is, price sends a message . When readers see a book priced at $0.99, some will think it's a great bargain. Others may assume it has less value than a book priced at $2.99 or $4.99—even if the content is excellent. Why I Started at $0.99 I priced my eBook at $0.99 because I wanted to remove every excuse not to give it a try. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, readers can learn something new, save time, and gain practical tips they can use right away. My goal wasn't just to make a sale—it was to build a loyal audience. Should You Raise the Price? The answer depends on your goals. If you're trying to: Build an audience Get more reviews Increase downloads Introduce new readers to your work Then $0.99 can be a smart promotional price . Howev...

Chasing: LA Season 3, Episode 2 Review: Brunch, Blowups, and Receipts Take Center Stage If you thought the drama from the season premiere would cool down, Chasing: LA Season 3, Episode 2, "A Dangerous Game," had other plans. This episode picked up right where the chaos left off, proving that one brunch can create enough tension to fuel an entire season. Between accusations, damaged friendships, emotional conversations, career moves, and plenty of receipts, this installment balanced reality TV mess with personal growth. While some cast members tried to move forward, others couldn't let the past stay in the past. Let's break down everything that happened. The Brunch That Refuses to End The biggest storyline continues to be the aftermath of the now-infamous Icon's Brunch. Instead of everyone calming down after the event, the arguments became even more intense. The brunch wasn't simply about raised voices anymore. It became about trust, reputation, and...

Love Island and the Colorism Conversation: Why Fans Keep Having the Same Debate Every Season Every season of Love Island , fans tune in expecting romance, drama, shocking recouplings, and messy love triangles. But alongside the entertainment, another conversation returns almost every year: colorism. Whether it's during the first coupling ceremony, Casa Amor, or the arrival of a new bombshell, social media quickly fills with viewers discussing who gets chosen first, who struggles to make connections, and whether beauty standards influence dating decisions inside the villa. It's one of the most talked-about topics surrounding the franchise—and one that doesn't seem to be going away. Why Does This Conversation Keep Coming Back? The format of Love Island is built around first impressions. Contestants often choose partners within minutes of meeting each other. At that point, they know almost nothing about personality, values, or life experiences. The first dec...

Book Review: Drinks, Lies, and Play Sisters – When One Conversation Changes Everything Some stories remind us that the biggest drama doesn't always begin with a crime or a huge betrayal. Sometimes it starts with something as simple as a conversation over drinks. That's exactly what makes Drinks, Lies, and Play Sisters such an entertaining urban drama. The novel follows Malik, who believes he's simply catching up with his friend Tasha during a night out. Like many friends do, they talk about family, relationships, and everyday life. Neither of them expects those private conversations to leave the table. Unfortunately, they do. Before long, comments are repeated from person to person. Some details are exaggerated. Others are completely made up. Suddenly, everyone seems to have a different version of what was actually said. The gossip spreads through family members, neighbors, and even social media, turning one casual evening into a full-blown neighborhood scandal....

Should You Leave Amazon KDP and Sell Your eBooks Yourself? Here's What Every Author Should Know For many independent authors, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the first place they publish an eBook. The platform is free to use, reaches millions of readers around the world, and handles many of the technical tasks that can feel overwhelming for new writers. Amazon processes payments, delivers books to customers, and provides monthly royalty reports. But after publishing for a while, many authors begin asking the same question: Is it time to leave Amazon KDP and sell my eBooks on my own? The answer depends on your goals. There are benefits to staying with Amazon, and there are advantages to building your own direct sales business. Before making a major decision, it's worth looking at both sides. One of the biggest reasons authors consider leaving Amazon is control. When you sell your own eBooks, you decide how your books are presented, how you market them, and h...

AI, BookTok, and the "Real Author" Debate: Why Everyone Needs to Calm Down Spend just thirty minutes watching BookTube or BookTok videos on YouTube, and you'll probably stumble into one of the biggest arguments in publishing right now: authors using AI tools like ChatGPT. I recently watched video after video where people debated whether using AI automatically makes someone "not a real writer." The comments were even worse. One experience really stood out to me. I reached out to someone to tell them about one of my books. Before they even wanted to know what the book was about, the conversation turned into one question: "Did you use ChatGPT?" Before I could even explain anything, they started yelling about AI, fake authors, and people ruining publishing. They went on and on. I didn't argue. I didn't defend myself. I simply listened until they finished and then walked away. Sometimes that's the best response. Everybody Has an Opin...

How to Write an eBook in 24 Hours: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners Have you been telling yourself you'll write an eBook "one day"? One day turns into next week. Next week turns into next month. Before you know it, another year has gone by and your book is still an idea sitting in your head. The truth is, your first eBook doesn't have to take months to write. If you stay focused and keep things simple, you can complete a useful, valuable eBook in just 24 hours. Here's how. Hour 1: Pick One Clear Topic The biggest mistake new writers make is trying to cover everything. Instead, choose one specific topic that solves one problem. Examples include: How to Start a Blog Budget Travel Tips Dating After 50 Social Media for Beginners Starting Amazon KDP The more focused your topic is, the easier it is to write. Hour 2: Create an Outline Before writing, organize your thoughts. A simple outline might look like this: Introduction Chapter 1: The Basics Chapter 2:...

Dance With Me Tonight When Words Aren't Enough, Let the Heart Dance Life can feel heavy. We carry responsibilities, heartbreak, dreams, and memories everywhere we go. Yet sometimes all it takes is one song, one smile, and one outstretched hand to remind us that joy is still possible. The following poem celebrates love, hope, and the beauty of sharing a single unforgettable moment with someone special. Dance With Me Tonight Dance with me tonight, Beneath the silver moon so bright. Leave tomorrow at the door, Let's dream like never before. Hold my hand, don't let it go, Move with the music soft and slow. Every heartbeat finds its rhyme, Lost together beyond all time. Forget the worries, silence the fear, In your embrace, the world feels near. No perfect steps, no grand display, Just two hearts finding their way. If the stars should fade from sight, We'll create our own warm light. If the music softly ends, May this dance never truly bend. For love isn't me...

Rainbow Friends: The Colors That Help Us Shine Friendship is never just one color. Some friends bring peace like blue skies after the rain. Others bring fiery red energy that pushes us to chase our dreams. Some make us laugh until our stomach hurts, while others quietly remind us that we're never alone. A rainbow isn't beautiful because it's one color. It's beautiful because every shade has a purpose. The same is true for the people we meet throughout life. Rainbow Friends Some arrive during sunshine. Some arrive during storms. Some stay forever. Some simply leave us with lessons. Every friendship paints a different color across our hearts. Poem: Rainbow Friends Red is the courage To stand by my side. Orange is the laughter That never tries to hide. Yellow is the sunshine That brightens cloudy days. Green is hope growing In unexpected ways. Blue is calm and comfort When tears begin to fall. Indigo is wisdom Helping me stand tall. Violet is kindness, Gentle, ...

Love After Lockup Season 7, Episode 14 Review: Trust Is Running Out and So Is Everybody's Patience If there is one thing Love After Lockup knows how to do, it's remind viewers that love can be complicated—but adding prison, secrets, family drama, and financial problems makes it even messier. Season 7, Episode 14 delivered another emotional hour packed with arguments, uncomfortable conversations, and relationships hanging by a thread. This episode wasn't about fairy-tale romance. Instead, it focused on what happens after the excitement of release wears off and real life begins. Bills have to be paid, trust has to be earned, and families aren't always ready to welcome a former inmate with open arms. Damond and Bonita Reach a Breaking Point One of the biggest storylines belonged to Damond and Bonita. Their relationship has been filled with uncertainty, and this episode only made things worse. When Damond disappeared without clearly communicating where he was, B...

How to Write an eBook and Sell It in 24 Hours: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide Have you ever thought, "I have an idea for a book, but I don't know where to start?" The good news is that you don't need to spend months writing a 300-page novel before making your first sale. Many successful creators earn money by publishing short, helpful eBooks that solve one specific problem. Can you really write and sell an eBook in 24 hours? Yes—but it takes focus, realistic expectations, and a simple plan. You may not make sales immediately, but you can absolutely have your eBook written, published, and available for purchase within one day. Here's how. Step 1: Pick One Simple Topic Don't try to write about everything. Choose one topic you know or enjoy, such as: Budgeting on a small income Dating after 50 Social media tips Starting a blog Meal planning Weight loss motivation Reality TV commentary Music history Journaling prompts Self-care The more specific y...