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Ginn Williams’ ‘Epic’ Poetry
Topics: Ginn Williams, epic, Greg Goodsell, Poetry, Poet, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, blog, Fresh Rhyme Scheme, Poetry Slam
Posted by Bakontributor Tue May 20, 2008 20:30:18 PDT
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Ginn Williams’ ‘Epic’ Poetry
Poet sears the microphone at local venues with new collection of works. Get your copy today!


By Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia.com Contributor

Spoken word artist and poet Ginn Williams is a very complex individual.

Take the poem “Eulogy” from her latest book “Epic: Joy, Wisdom, Pain” that is a long list of injustices perpetrated by her mother in detailed, explicit language.

It’s only further along in our conversation that this writer learns that Williams’ mother is still living. “We get along much better now,” Williams explains.

Williams is a Bakersfield native catching notice for her spare-not-the-listener brand of open mic poetry.

<Check out a special video preview of 'Epic'!

She performs mostly at Sandrini’s every first Tuesday of the month, but has appeared in numerous venues around town such as Chuy’s and the Empty Space.



Audiences react with nervous laughter at Williams’ words, which have the sting of irrefutable truth about them. A plus-size woman, she takes back her body image with the poem “You’s A Fat Bitch.” The poem “God just loves me more, he only gave you one chin!” brings laughter and applause from audiences of all body types.



Williams thinks the stigma attached to overweight people in America is because “we are a nation of plus-sized people. Instead of blaming the media, I think it has more to do with ourselves and our preconceived notions of what we should look like.”

Williams, who says she’s heavily influenced by hip-hop is of bi-racial heritage. While she has fun mocking the clueless Valley Girl types, she says that her next target will be black people. She rejects the unspoken cultural limitations imposed by race, and enjoys southern rock and Jimi Hendrix just as much as rhythm and blues.

“Why do people put us into grooves?” she asks. “I like everything!”

Williams is a relative newcomer to the arts scene.

Spotting a printed notice about the local poetry group at Russo’s in the Marketplace, Williams began attending meetings about a year ago. Meeting and gaining encouragement from Bakersfield’s undeclared artistic spark plug JenRaven, Williams took her poetry to the stage and it’s been skyrocketing ever since.

Things really aligned when she reconnected with old college friend Ian Young, a Los Angeles photographer and graphic designer. This meeting prompted her new book “Epic” with photos by Young coupled with Williams words. An oversized, glossy black-and-white book, Williams says she will be selling it at all of her shows, local bookstores - and eventually the world.

“I’m in the process of making my own marketing, promoting, the full everything, from the beginning to the end. I’m involved in every step. It’s a lot of hard work, but it is so worth it.”
Working by day in the payroll department of a local petroleum firm, Williams says the Bakersfield art scene has provided her with a new impetus.

“My friends, my thinking, myself - every possible avenue I have revamped. All of my new friends are in the art scene. We really have no choice but to support each other. I may not be able to paint, or draw, or act but I love to see it, and I’d like to think that they feel the same way about me. I encourage everyone to go on stage. If you write anything, even if you just write down thoughts, get on stage, say it!”

A member of the Highland High School Class of 1998, she’s looking forward to her 10-year reunion. Williams says that the idea behind reunions is that people are curious about where their fellow students are at that point in time.

“At least I can go and say that I’m a published author!”

“Epic” is available now! To find out where to get your copy, e-mail Ginn Williams: ginn_williams@yahoo.com

Or at these online links:
http://stores.lulu.com/87an...
www.blackplanet.com/ginnwilliams
www.Ginn.Williams.googlepages.com/ginnwilliams
www.reverbnation.com/ginnwilliams

Story also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 28, 5-15-08

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Comment From: sistersheree

Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing.