Lessons Learned***

Yesterday, I finished the story analysis for Maybe This Time. I based my analysis (as with all other analyses) on the five-step story structure that Elizabeth Lyon described in her book A Writer’s Guide to Fiction.


1. Character with a problem – i.e. the protagonist
2. Complications
3. Crises that reach a climax
4. Resolution of the problem
5. Character learns something about self or life

While working on my story analysis, I had a bit of difficulty listing the lessons that my protagonist learns. So I went back to the book. Without giving a clear definition or description, Ms Lyon gave Little Red Riding Hood (Brothers Grimm’s version, I think) as an example; she said that Little Red Riding Hood learned to listen to her mother (who told her not to stray into the woods at the beginning of the story) and to be careful when talking to strangers. Since her mother warned her about straying into the woods at the beginning, I think it would be safe to assume that her mother had warned her about the dangers of talking to strangers. The problem with Little Red Riding Hood was that she didn’t listen to her mother and didn’t take those warnings to heart (she and all other kids, as well as adults, really). In the end, it’s assumed that she learned from her mistakes. That, I guess, is what Ms Lyon meant in her book.

For my story, I listed two things that my protagonist has always known (i.e. before the story even began) and that she applied to solve the story problem. But should that be the case? The reader may not consider those lessons learned, because my heroine used the knowledge of the lessons to solve her problem. She didn’t learn the lessons per se, just applied them.

Although, I realize now, if I rephrase the lessons, they would work. If I did that, I wouldn’t have to make major changes in the problem resolution section, which I was afraid I might need to do. Phew!

I still need to do a major edit and to find a better title. Although, thanks to Kelly Rowland, I might have one.

Ciao for now.

***Originally posted on Adrienne's Notebook on July 14, 2010, at 13:08.***

Kelly Rowland Drops on September 21st

It's gonna be a busy late summer and early fall.

First, I have Basic Copy Editing from August 23rd to 26th. Second, the LOST Season 6 and LOST Complete Series DVD/Blu-Ray sets are released on August 24th. Third, the Fringe Season 2 DVD/Blu-Ray set comes out on September 14th.

Now, a much-anticipated album release: Digital Spy reports that Kelly Rowland's self-titled third album will be released on September 21st.

Ms. Kelly describes her new album as having "a modern Donna Summer feel with definitely more of a thump." Sounds interesting, ain't it? And have y'all seen the covers for her singles "Grown Woman" and "Rose Colored Glasses"? I'm digging the giant afro look!

I can't wait for Ms. Kelly's new album!

Right Now I Command You to Dance!

I just bought Kelly Rowland's new single, "Commander," off the iTunes Canada Store.

It's a fun song! I really like the beat and the chorus. It makes me dance around... a lot! So I recommend that you listen to the song and purchase it. Here are the iTunes USA & Canada links:

Kelly Rowland - "Commander" iTunes USA


Kelly Rowland - "Commander" iTunes Canada

Also, rumour has it that Ms. Kelly's third studio album will be released on September 14th. I will wait until it's officially announced, though. I don't want to be burned when her new label delays the album release date so many times. And I hope her new album is awesome!

Clarkson and Rowland Net One Grammy Nomination Each

Oh, happy day!

Two of my favourite singers ever - i.e. Kelly Clarkson and Kelly Rowland - are nominated for a Grammy Award each!!!

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards nominations were announced tonight on CBS via a music-filled concert. (Yes, I know, I'm from the West Coast. It's all over Twitter and celebrity sites, though.) Beyonce Knowles leads with 10 nominations, including Record of the Year for "Halo", Album of the Year for I Am... Sasha Fierce, and Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)".

Back to my favourites...

Kelly Clarkson's fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted, is nominated in the Best Pop Vocal Album category. I totally, totally, totally love this album. I don't care much about its competition (The E.N.D., Breakthrough, The Fray, and Funhouse - well, except Funhouse) and I really, really, really want Kelly to win!

Image via Wikipedia

Kelly Rowland, on the other hand, is nominated for her collaboration with French DJ David Guetta - i.e. When Love Takes Over, which became a Song of the Moment in my house - in the Best Dance Recording category. She and Guetta face stiff competition from the Black Eyed Peas (Boom Boom Pow), Lady Gaga (Poker Face), Madonna (Celebration), and Britney Spears (Womanizer), though. All the nominated songs are so darn catchy!

You can view the rest of the nominees here. The ceremony will be held on January 31, 2010, and will be aired on CBS from 8 PM (Eastern/Pacific).

Ms. Kelly is "Better Without You," Mathew Knowles

It's about freaking time!

Kelly Rowland and Music World Entertainment have officially ended their professional relationship, BV Buzz of Black Voices Blogs reports.

Woohoo!!!

According to their joint statement, Ms Kelly says:

"Mathew Knowles has been a positive influence in my career. I have had great success under his guidance - both as a member of Destiny's Child and with my solo projects. Although we have decided to part ways professionally, the Knowles family and the entire Music World Entertainment team will always be my family."

Mathew Knowles, Beyonce's father and the head of Music World Entertainment, has this to say:

"After a very positive meeting between Kelly Rowland and myself, we have amicably agreed to end our professional relationship. My company, Music World, will continue to manage Destiny's Child as a group. As an artist, Kelly has incredible talent, and I only wish her the best. We will always be family first and foremost, and as a dad, I only have love for Kelly."

Rumours that Ms Kelly will be managed by 19 Entertainment after she's freed are kinda like jumping the gun. BV Buzz reports that Ms Kelly has not decided whom to hire as her new manager.

I did not know about the rumours that Ms Kelly's decision to leave Music World Entertainment has something to do with wanting to "approach her junior solo CD" - still with Columbia Records - "with a fresh start".

I can't wait already!

Also, BV Buzz reports that Ms Kelly has a show "being developed at the Style Network that is expected to launch before the end of the year". Rumour has it that she shot a pilot in Miami for a travel and lifestyle show called Around The World. Could be it.

So happy for Ms Kelly! She's finally free and she has a TV show being developed! Yay!

But who will be her new manager? Simon Fuller of 19 Entertainment? The Firm? Stay tuned.

The Sound of Silence...

This blogger made a very good point: why are Mathew Knowles and Kelly Rowland silent regarding the management switch rumour?

Ms Kelly's publicist immediately addressed the rumours that her Miami home is in foreclosure. According to the "official" statement, the rumours aren't true and that Ms Kelly is selling her house since she's working and living in Europe. Which fuels the goodbye-Music-World-Entertainment-hello-19-Entertainment rumour, by the way!

However, there has been no official statement from either Ms Kelly's publicist or Mathew Knowles himself. I can only think of two reasons for this:

1. It's not true, and Ms Kelly and Beyonce's father are electing to be quiet about it, hoping that it'll go away; or
2. It is true, and all camps involved are electing to be quiet about it until all deals are finalised.

Option #2, please!

Seriously, Mathew Knowles is hindering Ms Kelly from being the superstar that she deserves to be. If you look at his management track record, then you'd wonder why Beyonce is the only domestic and international superstar. While Beyonce is talented and deserves her status, it is still not fair that Ms Kelly is not getting the proper career management that she deserves. The same goes for Michelle Williams and Solange.

It's favouritism and you know it!

So while I'm praying for the snowstorms to end (more on that later), I'll also pray for Ms Kelly to finalise leaving Music World Entertainment. Beyonce's dad's gotsta go.

Ms Kelly's Gotsta Go

Rumour has it that Kelly Rowland is leaving Music World Entertainment.

It's about freaking time!

I've been whining about the crappy treatment that Ms Kelly is getting from her management company. You know, when her sophomore solo album, Ms. Kelly, was pushed back and back, but Beyonce's sophomore solo album was released shortly (two weeks, according to rumours) after its completion. So when Ms. Kelly finally came out, it didn't sell well. Still, Kelly blamed her song choices for her album's failure. While it may have been a factor, her management's crappy, crappy, crappy treatment was also a major factor.

The good news is this: Ms. Kelly topped international - particularly European - charts. She's a megastar internationally, but is not the superstar that is Beyonce Knowles in the US.

So, according to Crunk & Disorderly, Ms Kelly was spotted meeting with Simon Fuller of 19 Entertainment. Could he be Kelly's new manager? Will Mathew Knowles let her go?

More importantly, can Kelly's new manager - regardless of who that is - help her US career take off? Let's wait and see...

Ms Kelly's Writing a Children's Book

People.com reported today that Ms Kelly - also known as Kelly Rowland - is writing a children's book between albums.

Speaking backstage after performing in Cannes, France, she says, "Everything is confidential right now, but I'm really excited because I've talked to some different publishing companies and got some people interested." Apparently the book is in its early stages and is yet to be named. She also says her five god-kids are the reasons she's writing a children's book. "I love my god-kids," she says. "I love kids!"

I wonder what her book's about. I hope it's about kicking the butts of the mega-popular kids. Hehe.

Speaking of Ms Kelly being in Cannes, here's her video blog, or vlog, for Friday, 16 May.



I hope she comes back in the US soon! And I hope her new record will kick butt!

Sounds Familiar?

For anyone who's not Beyonce Knowles or Justin Timberfake - I meant, Timberlake - this year must suck.

First, Kelly Clarkson's summer tour was scrapped because of poor ticket sales. She has now started her fall tour and, according to reviews, is proving everyone how fantastic and real she is. Happy ending, indeed. Then, JC Chasez left Jive Records, but he hasn't inked a deal with another record company. Rumour has it that he's in talks with Interscope to do a joint venture with Timberfake's - once again, I meant, Timberlake's - Tennman Records (why, oh, why???) and Timbaland's Mosley Music Group.

Now, it looks like Kelly Rowland's fall tour is going to be scrapped altogether.

CRAP.

MediaTakeOut.com reports that the Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco shows have been cancelled. Worse still, the same site reports the entire tour may be axed. Here's the brief report, in verbatim:

October 23, 2007. For all you looking forward to Kelly Rowland's tour (and we know that's not a lot of you), you may be upset with this report. MediaTakeOut.com is hearing whispers that Kelly Rowland's upcoming tour with Mario is on the verge of being cancelled. The organizers of the tour have already cancelled the Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco legs of the tour. And word is - they're about to scrap the whole thing. The problem, MediaTakeOut.com is hearing, is that very few people were buying tickets to the shows. 2007 hasn't been a good year for Miss Rowland...

Of course, the writer just had to stress that not a lot of people are looking forward to her tour.

Oh, well. I wasn't gonna go to the Seattle concert anyway.

But still...

In a perfect world, Kelly Rowland will have the same respect that Beyonce has. It's a shame we live in an imperfect world.

Billboard Album Charts

Now that My December and Ms. Kelly have been released, I wonder how they fared in the Billboard album charts...

Billboard Top 200
My December debuted at number TWO! I don't care that Miley Cyrus beat Kelly to the top spot. Kelly rules! On its second week, Kelly's third record (and the most controversial) dropped to three, because T.I.'s new record topped the chart.

According to SOHH.com, Ms. Kelly moved 82,700 copies in its first week. It debuted at number SIX. Not bad, Ms. Kelly, not bad at all. Actually I didn't expect Ms. Kelly to crack the top 50! It was a very pleasant surprise.

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Being the second bestselling new release this week, Ms. Kelly debuted at number TWO! Like I said, not bad at all.

Top Digital Albums
My December is the fourth most downloaded album. Woohoo!

Hopefully both CDs will climb the charts next week!

Houston Chronicle Review of "Ms. Kelly"

Check this article out on the Houston Chronicle website.

This is one of the most positive reviews of Kelly Rowland's Ms. Kelly.

July 5, 2007, 9:41PM

Fan inspiration

Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland completes new CD, Ms. Kelly
By JOEY GUERRA

Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

As one-third of iconic girl group Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland sang about being a self-sufficient diva — who still, of course, knows how to swivel her hips.

"I worked hard and sacrificed to get what I get," went the lyrics to a certain sassy Charlie's Angels tune. "Ladies, it ain't easy bein' independent."

Today, Rowland seems to have a new understanding of that girl-power credo. Her second solo disc, Ms. Kelly, arrived this week after several shuffled release dates and name changes.

"You have no idea how happy I am," Rowland said during a recent visit to Houston. She currently lives in Miami but has plans to move back "home" soon.

"It's been a journey, above anything."

Rowland, 26, began working on the project (originally dubbed My Story) in 2004. That version featured several midtempo grooves and ballads, but Rowland soon opted to punch things up with more upbeat, club-friendly tracks.

It proved to be a difficult decision.

"I think that when I had to push my CD back — although I had to do it — it still hurt, and it set me back a little bit in the studio," Rowland said.

"I had no creative ideas. I felt blank. I think it was just out of the sadness. I didn't want to disappoint my fans, but I did want it to be right.

"I probably spent a week and a half, two weeks like that, where I was just blah."

Inspiration and motivation returned, Rowland says, via fan enthusiasm and words of encouragement on blogs. She gave the disc a snappier title and officially introduced it via slinky first single Like This. The tune, featuring stylish rapper Eve, is a top-10 hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

"I just felt like it was very sassy and personal," Rowland says of the title. "People have started calling me that recently."

Last weekend, she showcased a few songs from Ms. Kelly, including simmering party-starter Comeback, at a pair of local events geared to the black community: Dr. Ian Smith's 50 Million Pound Challenge at Hermann Square in downtown Houston and Hip-Hop 4 HIV at Reliant Arena, which encouraged young adults to be tested for HIV/AIDS.

The Destiny's Child alum proved a comfortable solo presence and was clearly excited to finally be performing new material from the disc, which was originally supposed to hit stores last summer and was released Tuesday.

"A year and a half is a long time to record an album and basically wait," Rowland said. "It feels so good to say, 'It's really coming out on Tuesday!' It's the best feeling in the world."

The extra time proved beneficial. Ms. Kelly is a marked improvement over Rowland's 2002 solo debut, Simply Deep, which failed to showcase her flirty, assured personality. (It did, however, boast a global hit in Dilemma, a gorgeous duet with rapper Nelly.)

"This album took time for Kelly to find herself as a pop artist. I'm very proud of the record she's made," said Mathew Knowles, who manages Rowland along with his superstar daughter Beyoncé.

He also oversaw Destiny's Child, which sold more than 40 million records worldwide on the strength of such hits as Bills, Bills, Bills; Say My Name; Bootylicious; and Lose My Breath.

"I've said it before: Most people don't know just how talented each of them are individually," Knowles said.

The new disc finds Rowland exploring a variety of styles. Work is a Scott Storch-produced club thumper that begs for a tightly choreographed video. Flashback and Better Without You are standouts that recall the noirish urban grooves of Aaliyah and Brandy.

Rapper Snoop Dog cameos on the laid-back Ghetto, and R&B singer Tank duets on The Show. Solange Knowles, Beyonce's younger sister, co-wrote Love.

But it's Rowland's alternately sexy and serious delivery that anchors the disc.

"I wanted people to hear my voice," Rowland said. "I took risks on this album. ... I just let my ear lead me. It was just whatever felt good to my soul. I did it completely for me."

The mood shifts three-fourths of the way into Ms. Kelly, marked by a haunting interlude that finds her addressing a breakup — likely her own. Rowland was engaged to Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams, but the couple split in 2005.

"Was about to say 'I do' when I know it wasn't meant," Rowland sings during Still in Love With My Ex. It's an unflinching moment of honesty and one of eight tunes she co-wrote on the disc.

The writing process "was very therapeutic for me," Rowland said. "I allowed myself to be really vulnerable. I figured if it wasn't supposed to be on paper, and I wasn't supposed to record it, then it wouldn't have happened.

"Obviously, other people have these feelings as well. It's important for people to relate to you in your music and your lyrics."

Rowland's illustrious musical history has already allowed her to connect with millions of fans worldwide. And though Destiny's Child officially disbanded last year, a reunion seems imminent.

The trio was back together, briefly, during a vibrant performance at last month's BET Awards. And they're seen dancing together in Beyoncé's Get Me Bodied music video.

"I'm still trying to comprehend it, just take in everything we did," Rowland said. "I think it literally only hit me when we got our star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"I still don't believe it. It's incredible."

joey.guerra@chron.com

Being a Second Banana Sucks

I'm very thankful that Kelly Clarkson wasn't a member of a hugely popular singing group and that RCA Records has not announced that My December is going to be released later than July 24th, 2007. (Though one can never guarantee that it will never happen.) Because if that's the case, then I will storm or write a very scathing letter to her label and to Sony BMG.

MediaTakeOut.com reported on May 11th, that the release of Kelly Rowland's sophomore solo album, Ms. Kelly, is pushed back from June 26th to July 3rd. That's after Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records did the same thing last year when they changed the release date to June 26th. I thought that it can be just a rumour. Unfortunately, Kelly's own label website confirmed that Ms. Kelly will be released on July 3rd.

In contrast, Beyoncé's sophomore solo album, B'Day, was released shortly after its completion. A few months after its release, Columbia Records released a deluxe edition.

Doesn't Kelly Rowland deserve the same treatment?

She's as talented as Beyoncé, as beautiful as Beyoncé, and as deserving as Beyoncé.

There are actually rumours that Music World (owned by Mathew Knowles) and Columbia Records chose to release B'Day over Ms. Kelly.

And that's not the only thing that's messed up. Not so long ago, FMQB reported that JC Chasez's single "You Ruined Me" is going for radio adds on May 1st. On that day, the song didn't go for radio adds. Instead, FMQB reported that it will be pushed back to May 29th - a full four weeks after the recent change (it has been changed several times before). Also, his sophomore solo album, Kate, still doesn't have a definite release date. Can you say, déjà vu?

JC's debut solo album, Schizophrenic, was pushed back several times until it was released on February 24th, 2004. As far as marketing went, Jive Records tanked. JC's buddy, Dallas Austin, even wore a shirt saying, "Jive Sucks!" - effectively saying what all JC fans thought and talked about in forums, e-groups, etc.

In contrast, if I listened to the radio all day (thank God I don't), I'd get to hear all Justin Timberlake singles from his sophomore solo album, Future Love/Sex Sounds, more than once (an understatement).

I understand the radio and the deejay factors, but JC lacks support from his own record label. Enough support, man, enough support.

I don't dislike Beyoncé as much as I dislike Justin (an understatement); both are talented, yet can be overrated.

On the other hand, Kelly Rowland and JC Chasez are both talented, yet they are underrated.

What's up with this world?

Personally, I tend to avoid superstars and to support the so-called second banana (e.g. Kelly Rowland and JC Chasez). I don't like hyped-up stars. They usually deserve less than they get. Unfortunately, people like Kelly and JC deserve more, much more, than they currently get.