Pearlie Harris

Copyright turkletom

Poetry is more than a way for me to express my emotions and thoughts. It is a challenging game. Writing poetry allows me to learn the English language in-depth, which includes the manipulation of words and phrases.

Prose style poetry, limericks, ballads, and rap are all different styles that I plan to master. Prose style poetry is often narrative and non-rhyming poetry. Limericks rhyme and are funny. Ballads express deep love for something or someone. Rap is a rhyming style of poetry set to music. Sometimes it is riddled with tons of clichés. Some rap songs use clichés sparingly and find other clever ways to familiarize the audience with the subject. Regardless of the use of language within the body of a poem, the rhyme scheme is based on the style of poem. Poems that do not rhyme rely on meter and rhythm to keep the audience’s attention. Which styles of poetry to you like?

Prose style poetry uses a lot of words and arrangements which evoke certain sights and sounds, but the stanza structure is more of a loose paragraph. These poems do not necessarily rhyme. Limericks are generally short, and the rhyme scheme resembles a/a/b/b/a. Ballads and rap both have lines that rhyme, but their rhyme schemes generally depend on the poem or rap.

What is a rhyme scheme?
“A rhyme scheme is usually the pattern of end rhymes in a stanza, with each rhyme encoded by a letter of the alphabet…”

Rhymes are generally known by the repetition of syllables. These syllables can rhyme within a line or at the end of two or more lines. If the syllables rhyme within a line, it is considered an internal rhyme. Rhymes are considered perfect or pure rhymes if the syllables and sounds are exactly the same. If the syllables are the same but the sounds are slightly different, it is an imperfect rhyme. Perfect, imperfect, slant rhymes, and dissonant rhymes are often used in rap. The artist might pronounce the word in the proper manner or purposely mispronounce the word to make the slant or dissonant rhyme sound like an imperfect or perfect rhyme. Masculine and Feminine rhymes depend on the syllable which the rhyme falls. Do you ever analyze the rhyme schemes of your poetry?

Unless I’ve decided to write a particular style of poetry, I generally write what I feel on the paper. Once I have all of my thoughts jotted down, I reorganize them by meter, speed, tone, imagery, and rhyme. I will discuss each of these items in later posts.

What’s the rhyme scheme of your favorite poem?

If you read my preschooler article on the Examiner.com Atlanta Poetry Writing blog, you are familiar with the City of Savannah’s art workshops. No, these classes are not in Atlanta, but many individuals and families choose to visit cities near Atlanta.

Savannah is known for its historic buildings and its artistic culture. Because it is less than 5 hours from Atlanta, it is also known as a great weekend getaway for many Atlantans. Many people are familiar with Savannah because of the Savannah College of Art and Design known as SCAD. Atlanta has a SCAD campus located at the corner of Spring St and Peachtree St. Pearl’s Book’em Publisher’s (PBP) hip-hop and poetry educational comic book, The POET, was drawn by SCAD alumni Kelli Lee.

Currently, the City of Savannah offers winter and spring workshops until April 7^th, 2012. Workshops include clay, jewelry making, stain glass boxes and lamps, drawing, acrylic painting, and more. You can view a complete list of these workshops on the PBP website’s News page.

Beginning Tuesday, February 28^th and ending Tuesday, March 6^th, individuals can travel to Savannah and learn how to become successful artists and stay successful artists. These classes cost a meager $50.

If you wonder where your children ages 5 to 12 will spend spring break 2012, the City of Savannah offers a Spring Break Art Camp from April 9^th through April 13^th. Are you aware of any other spring break camps near you which cater to the artistic mind? If so, let us know, especially if it deals with writing and poetry.

Kat Cole_President of Cinnabon

You might wonder why a business owner and a poet would attend a career workshop. Well, as a poet/author, I learned that it is important to brand yourself. Consumers purchase what they know and trust. Business owners and executives also pay attention to brands.

Over the years, I’ve made considerable efforts to brand Pearl’s Book’em Publisher (PBP) and The PEARL, which meant branding Pearlie Harris. I’ve offered many different services to many different independent business owners and spoken to groups who want to know about running a business or publishing books. Although every situation was not beneficial to PBP or The PEARL on a grand scale, I learned a lot and expanded my network. I thought I could learn more about branding by attending “New Year New You” First Impressions Career Branding Workshop. I was right; I learned a great deal of transferable information about branding.

Keynote speaker Kat Cole President of Cinnabon presented her brand to the group. She began with her elevator speech which consisted of the great things about Kat Cole, comprised in a few sentences. This example of branding was the opening to a great personal and encouraging story of how she began as a Hooters girl and found the cracks that led her to her destiny. I’d always heard the phrase, “Be like water.” Her story illustrated the phrase. Kat Cole’s flexibility to learn and generosity of self placed her in key positions which led to her success. My “take-aways” from her speech:

• Give of yourself without complaining or looking for something in return
• Diversify your portfolio
• Four Keys to Polishing Your Brand

1. Virtual Presence
2. Interpersonal Presence
3. Physical Presence
4. Social Presence

To learn more about Kat Cole, attend her next speaking event. If she ever writes a book, you should definitely purchase it.

Shaila Luciano-Wong and LaRhonda Jones began the second half of the University of Phoenix workshop with an interactive presentation which gave the group a better understanding of brand perception. Their lesson:

• Your interview never ends.
• You never know who you will meet or where you will meet them.
• You can’t determine a person’s career status by their appearance; every situation is a branding opportunity.

The brand perception activity, coupled with their guide through the first impressions worksheets, guided us into Dr. Sanders’ comical presentation on the pitfalls and best practices of cover letters and resumes.

“New Year New You” First Impressions Career Branding Workshop, the first in the University of Phoenix career workshop series, only lasted four hours. Flowing well and offering valuable information for any professional, the workshop could’ve stretched another two hours and I would’ve enjoyed every minute. Thankfully, another workshop will take place March 21^st at the Dekalb Center, where I can enjoy the “Intelligent Networking” workshop.

Your face, the perfect focal point

of a room embellished

with accent rugs, aged furniture,

and contemporary form.

Your style, the unique harmony

of a band assembled

as depressed keys, beat percussions,

and picked ‘n strummed guitar strings.

Your words, the clearest waterfall

amidst a scene troubled

by jagged rocks, dismal foliage,

and lightning bug deprived nights.

My heart, the soul circulator

of a dream realized

through poetic sites, published books,

And poetry text filled nights

The PEARL

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Since the popularity of the internet and digital distribution, digital content creators and consumers tried to find common ground. I am a digital content creator whose company produces and produced traditional content. As an individual, I am a consumer of digital and traditional products. PBP’s income is based on the ability to sell products protected by copyright laws so I follow the digital piracy debate. Some individuals feel that piracy is a right, because it only hurts multibillion dollar companies. Some individuals believe that regulating digital theft is an impossible task. Some of us who make money from the sale of these digital products know that digital piracy hurts the small companies and the individuals.

Since 1897 the Copyright Office of the United States became a separate part of the Library of Congress. One of the Copyright Office’s main duties encourages creativity and the deliverance of knowledge while allowing the copyright holder to earn money on their creations. In essence, any original work that is not a fact is copyrighted once it is created. In a court of law, it is difficult proving that an individual created a work unless that individual has acceptable proof. For this reason, most individuals and companies register their works with the U.S. Copyright Office.

The internet posed a problem for copyright holders, because of the limitless places someone can post content. Copyright holders found it difficult to control someone’s illegal use of their works on the internet because many individuals stood behind “fair use,” and webhost providers and website owners worked on the honor system. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 has been abused and misused because many people do not understand it, some people want to cause trouble, and others want to take the easy way out.

Regardless of the reasons for the misuse of the DMCA, without it copyright holders do not have any protection. According to the DMCA, website holders are required to take copyrighted materials or pages down when individuals or businesses violate the copyright laws. If someone sends a letter of violation, the web hosting company can immediately take down the page or ask for proof before taking down the page. Most companies choose to simply take the material or page down. It is simpler, but the companies cannot be held liable if there is not any proof. The company can also solicit the U.S. copyright office for the information the same way that publishers find out about copyrighted material. It takes a little work, but the information is easily available.

Artists who contract with a record label already protect their lyrics through text and the sound recording copyrights. Whether or not they contract their material, they can lose their copyright through a contract. Payments from these contracts not only deal with copyrights, but with publishing rights. Most record labels and artists register through royalty rights management companies who deal with the publishing rights in a manner similar to the U.S. Copyright Office. Most of the time, this information is determined in the contract process and registered during or after the recording process. It is the same with authors and publishing companies. Usually the use of the material is stated in the contract.

For instance, PBP’s poetry publishing contracts usually copyrighted the poetry book in the author’s name with PBP’s exclusive right to use the work for a certain amount of time. PBP could also use 20 percent of the poetry book for marketing purposes. PBP could basically display 20% of the work without legal repercussions from the authors. PBP was one of the first companies to use Google Books prior to industry acceptance. The authors were also told which portions of the books they could release.

I understand how individuals unfamiliar with copyright laws and publishing laws might be confused by the process. This confusion was true prior to the internet. Most small companies who could not afford long term legal representation operated like PBP and at least hired an attorney during certain instances like contract review and interpretation. Artists who act as their own business are at a slight disadvantage, but can become members of certain organizations who provide some assistance to writers and authors. All of this was true prior to the internet in a world much larger than the internet. The internet does not exclude individuals from following the laws. When in doubt, get proper help to understand the area of business in which you enter. Not only does the proper use of the internet and its laws reduce confusion, but it provides jobs. Although these jobs are not the same jobs eliminated by technology, they are careers people can begin.

The law is a great way to bring the internet community into copyright compliance with the rest of the publishing community. If someone is a true copyright holder of a specific work that he or she believes is being infringed, he or she should be able to provide that proof with the violation notification. Only then should the webhost or website comply. It is the most reasonable best practice. At this point, whoever needs to dispute it may contest it in court as other companies solve disagreements of ownership. The DMCA is fair to the copyright holder and website providers. Webhost providers can keep these documents of proof as protection. The internet should not be a tool to circumvent the copyright laws.

As with anything that can be reproduced in today’s society of extreme technology, the DMCA was established to eliminated improper use of digital material, but copyright owners are aware that it will only minimize and slow down the improper use of digital material. Companies like Napster changed their use of illegal material to profitable and legal material by partnering with record labels and companies which cater to independent artists. Like other companies who chose to continue and comply with the law, Napster presents its form or understanding of the DMCA law in its ‘Terms of Use.’ It also states that it monitors sites which use its services for compliance. Artists are more concerned with individuals using their music for commercial use and not receiving payment while the individual illegally using the material receives payment (bootlegging), than individuals copying the material from their computers to their mp3 players. You cannot really stop that form of use, but sharing the content with millions of people on the internet eliminates millions of potential buyers.

Who is responsible for the copyright infringement, especially if the site is similar to sites like YouTube? VeVo is a site similar to YouTube with more of an artist friendly form. It allows artists who submitted their works through certain partners to gain revenue from videos. It almost ensures that the material is in compliance with the law. Sites like YouTube run the risk of not being in compliance with the DMCA. When it was purchased by the record companies it had no choice, but to comply with laws that the record companies championed. Record companies do their best to find individuals and companies which are not in compliance with the law. One at a time they sue individuals who grossly disobey the law and are caught. Like the real world, some individuals get away with breaking the law and others do not get away with it.

Larger companies now spend more money tracking down these IP addresses and find the guilty culprits. Companies and individuals find ways to secure their works, but even the government cannot stop all hackers. Most individuals do not like the security features on some music or books they purchase. The law allows companies and individual artists a way to retrieve damages from those who break the law.

This is a pay as you find it appropriate blog. The amount paid to enjoy this post is determined by the reader. Thank you in advance.

I was delighted with the music and the atmosphere as I walked into the loft style, all white establishment. The main room filled with a dashing crowd of many styles and cultures. A tall slender woman stood in front of me and I admired her asymmetrical afro. A Gentleman walked past me in a blue three piece tailored suit and I thought, “refreshing.” Gentlemen wearing blue jeans and cardigans, and women fashioned with unique footwear that matched their stylish dresses attended this annual event hosted by MillerCoors.

Thursday, October 27^th, the 2^nd Annual T.A.P. Awards took place in Atlanta Georgia. According to Steve Canal, the T.A.P. Awards is part of the MillerCoors multicultural initiative. Since Atlanta is the Southeast headquarters of MillerCoors, this metropolis is the perfect place to honor the achievements of those who uphold Taste-Appreciation-Prestige. Prior to watching these T.A.P. ambassadors receive their awards, I walked through the multistation affair. MillerCoors presented the ‘Super Cold Guys Night Out Zone’ where cold and super cold beers were served. The room also featured a ‘Ladies Night Area,’ and a Glambar room where a glamour stylist and delicious cupcakes were available. The other highlights of the evening were the Blue Moon Room and the Peroni area. The Blue Moon room presented cups of sliced oranges and bottles of triple sec, sweet sour mix, and margarita mix placed on all white counters. With these ingredients, individuals created their own Blue Moon mixed cocktails or allowed a mixologist to customize Blue Moon mixed blends. After the awards were presented and the MillerCoors 2011 non-profit beneficiary, the Atlanta Urban League Young Professionals, was presented with a check, Chef Ellis taught patrons how to cook with Peroni beer. The shrimp and grits were flavorfully delicious.

The MillerCoors T.A.P Awards were presented by Ramona DeBreaux and beer aficionado Ale Sharpton. If you’ve partied in any of the major clubs in Atlanta, you are familiar with AG Entertainment, the MillerCoors T.A.P Award Platinum Seller of the Year. Sports bar enthusiasts have attended one of the four Dugan’s locations in Atlanta. Dugan’s is the 2011 recipient of the MillerCoors T.A.P Award for Sports Bar of the Year. Other MillerCoors T.A.P Awards recipients are:

• Restaurant/Lounge of the Year – Do Restaurant
• Co-Promoter of the Year – Botchey & Certified Entertainment
• Co-Promoter of the Year – Traxx Girls
• For Raising the Bar – The Four Corner Circle
• Premium Influencer of the Year – Actress Terri J. Vaughn
• Sound of the City – Verse Simmonds of Konvict/ Universal
• Business Visionary of the Year – Chef Jason Ellis

Are you familiar with any of these T.A.P Awards receivers?
Pearlie Harris | Create Your Badge

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Atlanta offers everyone the ability to sees entertainers on a regular basis. Still, nothing is more exciting than a weekend of stars filling the city for an award show or another major entertainment event. This past weekend the BET Hip Hop Awards brought many stars to Atlanta and many entertainment groups held BET Awards parties and events.

In fact, Interscope Geffen A&M Records hosted “An Evening of Luxury” in the Vanquish Nightclub on Peachtree Street. This invite only event presented Hip-Hop artist Kongol Kid, R&B artist Tiffany Evans, reality TV star Phaedra, and many more stars.

For those individuals unable to attend exclusive events, clubs throughout Atlanta hosted BET Hip Hop Awards parties. Mingles on Courtland presented PartyLife Entertainment’s “The Toast! A Salute to Hip Hop Weekend Red Carpet Affair.”

Some Hip Hop artists and poets chose to hold their album release parties to capture their regular supporters and overflow of enthusiasts assembling in the city. Big Rube, poet and rapper, held his birthday party at the Museum Bar on Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. The poet “Focus” held his album release party, F.O.C Experience, at the legendary Apache Café.

Join in the Atlanta Fun as Joyce Littel continues her Poetic Moments, and the All Three Coasts (A3C) event takes over Atlanta’s independent hip hop scene.

PBP and Afros-n-Shelltoes affiliated companies

Writers Block is a spoken word showcase company, however, writer’s block isn’t as kind to poets. Most writers have experienced writer’s block at some point in their lives. The Merriam- Webster dictionary defines writer’s block as a “psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece of writing. It is the writer’s choice to ignore the problem, or seek it and overcome it. Some writers say that they are no longer inspired to write. Some writers find openness difficult. Overcoming these hang-ups might require a little soul searching. On the other hand, breaking through your writer’s block can be as simple as relaxing and enjoying life.

Derrick, the voice of Writers Block poetry showcase company

My journey through writer’s block began with a series of exercises. I vowed to write every day. Writing became a chore that I performed habitually. I practiced short stories and poems. I tried to edit my novelette, but the words did not come easy. In fact, for years my mouth was dry. I opened my mouth only when necessary. The pen skipped across the paper, and words were broken. I practiced until writing no longer gave me pleasure.

I then began thinking about the things that brought me pleasure. My copy of the Bible and Jules Verne’s Anthology lay on my night stand. “Genesis, chapter one, verse one;” I read as I began studying the Bible again. Journey to the Center of the Earth was also a part of my nightly reading. I suppose I could be labeled ADD. I enjoy reading more than one book at a time.

I also began listening to a variety of musical genres again. “I love this song,” I said to myself as I thumbed through a book of M. C. Escher prints. I love all things art almost as much as I love poetry. Digging into my chest of artful things made me smile. I felt alive. I felt strong enough to dive into my books of poetry. More important, I felt like writing.

What gives you joy? Find an activity readily available to you; something that you love. Participate in that activity, and take notice of the affects. Does it loosens the ink in your pen, or adds speed to your laptop stroking fingertips?

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Recently, an artist was on the news about the theft of his artwork “Lost Cat.” He licensed the artwork to one company, but another company slightly changed the artwork and began using it. The artist filed a cease and desist order and settled with the company out of court. He mentioned that it was flattering for someone to steal his work, but it was wrong.

Afros-n-Shelltoes Entertainment (AnSE) is a locally owned business that specifically focuses on the intellectual property of artists who choose the music business. Since 2002, AnSE strove to improve the music business by working with poets, musicians, and artists. I asked Reginald Carr, Founder and CEO of AnSE, if there is a difference between music business and the music industry. His answer was simple. The music industry focuses on profit at the expense of art. Music business is the business of art. Although AnSE assists artists with trademarks, licensing, copyrights, and contracts negotiations, it only manages very few artists.

If you search the internet, you will see what Afros-n-Shelltoes Entertainment has accomplished. In 2003, a company sought to infringe on the Afros-n-Shelltoes Entertainment name. Reginald Carr and his lawyers proved that he is the owner. This successful trademark infringement case is just one of the accomplishments of AnSE.

From 2008 until 2010, AnSE produced a successful broadcast radio show named the Think Tank. With the Think Tank on 1420AM WATB and 1430AM WGFS, AnSE trained poets to become radio producers and radio hosts. AnSE also highlighted the careers of many artists in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Rock bands, pop artists, neo-soul singers, poets, hip-hop artists, jazz musicians, clothing designers, and authors gained exposure through AnSE’s broadcast radio show with live internet streaming.

The Think Tank Radio show was so successful that the one year anniversary was celebrated at Central Park Bistro on Memorial Drive. The show featured artists that were previously interviewed on the Think Tank radio show. The lineup included jazz musicians, poets, a comedian, R&B singers, and pop singers. The show finale was a fashion show featuring Diamonds and Pearls Couture.

Prior to ending the Think Tank Radio Show, this AnSE radio show covered artists such as Janelle Monet and Stic.Man of Dead Prez. Seeking to give artists perspective, Reginald Carr interviewed several attorneys who explained contracts and copyrights. I asked Reginald Carr if he was interested in reviving The Think Tank Radio Show, he suggested that I keep my eyes and ears open for more news. I suggest that everyone pay attention to Afros-n-Shelltoes Entertainment (AnSE).

This is a pay as you find it appropriate blog. The amount paid to enjoy this post is determined by the reader. Thank you in advance.