Terry Snipes sits patiently in front of his computer screen, mind tinkering away as he thinks up a topic for his blog, Trew Life Advice. He’s been trying to build up his credentials in order to publish his non-fiction book, Trew Life: Straight, No Chaser. And as he sighs, clearly struggling from writer’s block, he smiles, and says, “How do you condense, as well as stretch 23 years onto a blog? It’s been done, but it’s hard as hell.”

Terry Snipes, AKA Trew Life says everyone is acquiring a PhD in Life. The only difference, he says, between other individuals and him is he’s found a way to teach it (life).

At the age of 23, Trew life has experienced his share of heartbreak and struggles. He’s been neglected, beaten, harassed racially as well as mentally. He’s gone through moments of hunger, self-destruction, and what he calls a “life shut down.”

“I grew up in a household where both my parents were married, but they didn’t work hard to clothe and feed me,” Trew Life says. “What’s worse than not having parents is having parents who neglect you.”

Though times were hard, he and his mother tried desperately to smile, and put faith in God. “I lost faith in God. I was young, and I saw individuals succeeding who were not good people. My family had to struggle, and I was tired of being hungry, and having lights, gas, and water turned off,” he says. “I was sick and tired of having to fight, because I didn’t want to do drugs.”

Trew Life and his family moved to Stockton, California, and Trew Life experienced many moments where he was harassed relentlessly for his love of writing and literature.

But he persevered, moved back to his home town of Toledo, Ohio, and graduated from high school. He obtained a certificate in business from Assets Toledo as well.

In 2002, Trew Life started his first blog. He said it was a way to communicate his thoughts with people.

“I was a very popular dancer in high school,” he says. “A lot of people thought I was born to do it, because I had talent in it. But I didn’t, and still don’t want to dance. Writing has always been my thing. I want to inspire.”

And inspire he did. At the end of 2005, Trew Life started his blog, Love, Relationships, and Life. On the site he wrote powerful and inspiring posts, as well as answered reader’s questions in regards to love, relationships, and life issues that relate to those topics. After 6 months of blogging, his traffic quadrupled.

“I was using a free blog hosting service. I wanted to have more control over design, so I went with another company,” he says. At the end of 2006, Mr. Snipes started Trew Life Advice, where he has been answering questions that readers send him.

When asked what provoked him to start the website he said, “I was watching television, and Juanita Bynum came on. It was her message, No More Sheets. I was astounded by the way she helped the people in the audience. She spoke so powerfully, and I knew that was what I wanted to do. Only, I don’t want to preach,” he laughed.

Though Trew Life is not gay, he chose to contribute to Gay Black Male News, because he feels the need to help blacks in general.

“Because I had nice diction, and I didn’t dress like the other guys around me, I was called an Uncle Tom or gay lots of times. I was considered soft because I didn’t play football or walk around with my pants hanging off of my ass,” he says.

He added, “I know how it is to be hated on, and discriminated against because I’m an educated black man in America. Why would I do the same thing to a gay black man what’s been done to me almost all my life?”

Trew Life says he doesn’t want anyone to think so much about sex when they ask him questions as much as they think about results.

“I’ve given advice to domestic violence victims, gay men, gay women, cheating men, cheating women, suicidal women, and homicidal men. When it comes to subjects of the heart, we all need help sometimes,” he said.

Trew Life encourages anyone to send an Email to lrl.advice@hotmail in order to ask a question.

“My job is to help inspire people to do what they love, and to believe it love. If there is something I don’t know I’m smart enough to ask. I encourage my readers to share any knowledge they have. As an expert in love and relationships, I understand that a group discussion teaches everyone just as well as a solo session,” he said.

After the interview, Trew Life’s eyes glowed, and he smiled again, his full lips spreading, and his cheekbones rising. “I think I’ve found something to write about,” he said.

Gay Black Male News is sure to find a lot of information from him as well.

To read Trew Life’s blogs or articles click here

To participate in the Trew Life forum click here

To visit Trew Life’s blog, Trew Life Advice click here