The Story of a Poet: Kendal S. Turner

What’s good? This is Heady. Yep. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to give our online audience the opportunity to get the inside scoop with some of our favorite artists. I tracked down one of our favorite poets Kendal S. Turner. Let’s jump right into this one-on-one with Kendal.

HEADY: So, where are you originally from?

KENDAL: I am originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma

H: How long have you lived in Oklahoma City?

K: I have been living in Oklahoma City for about 4 years now.

H: Which do you like better? Lol… Be honest.

K: I LOVE Oklahoma City way better than Tulsa. It just seems like it’s not
as racially divided as Tulsa is and the people are way more friendlier I
must add.

H: You’re married. Tell us your favorite thing about your husband?

K: My most favorite thing about my hubby is hmmm (I’m thinking)
He wears his heart on his sleeve. I like that. Oh and he’s a good
father! Yea can’t forget that.

H: How many children?

K: Together we have 4 boys. I have 2 and he has 2.

H: So, you played a little basketball in high school? Where you any
good? Lol… Be honest.

K: Man I got a 3 point shot out of this world! But I suck in defense. Well
you said be honest. I can hoop with the best of them though.

H: What position did you play?

K: I played 2 guard. My main purpose in being on the court was to shoot 3’s
lol that’s it. Lol

H: Do you still play?

K: Yes I do still play. I played last winter for my church team but I
haven’t played in a league since. I’m actually looking for a good team
to get on.

H: Who is your favorite player in the NBA?

K: Michael Jordan! Who else man? Come on now.. lol

H: Let’s get down to business. How long have you been writing?

K: I’ve been writing professionally for about 2 1/2 years now.

H: Do you remember your first poem? Was it a Christian poem?

K: I don’t remember the first poem I wrote but I can tell you right now, NO
it was not Christian. Lol it wasn’t even remotely clean. Sorry

H: Has writing poetry helped you personally in any way?

K: Writing poetry has helped me to express myself in ways that I would not
do so if it wasn’t in a poem. It kind of gives me a right to say what I
want to say and not care what people think about me after I’m done. I
love it! It is my lifejacket.

H: what inspired you to write thick skin?

K: Well, I initially started writing “Thick Skin” way back in 2001, but the book was going to be titled something else. Somewhere in between 2001 and 2005, I lost my inspiration for the book so I just put it aside. Well one day, I decided to delete all 300 pages of the original version and just start completely over but I still wasn’t inspired. After airing all of my dirty laundry in poetry, people would tell me that I needed to write a book about my life. That’s when I decided to give it another try. One day I just started writing and 6 months later I birthed Thick Skin. It was written prophetically, without a blueprint, or ruff draft or anything. I just wrote it off the top of my head.

H: Did you have reservations about being so open?

K: I never had reservations about being so open but my husband was. He would say, “honey are you sure you want to say that?” My take on it was, well people are going to judge me regardless of whether I say the truth or sugar coat it, so I may as well just tell it like it is. I just thought that if somebody wanted to talk about me at least they could have the facts to base it off of instead of what they think I did or didn’t do. Might as well tell the truth about me if your going to talk lol.. What others think about me is never my concern. I can’t live for people. I can only life for myself. At the end of the day as long as God is pleased with me and I can go to bed feeling good about how I lived my life that day, then that’s all that matters. My hope is that people can see past the drama and see my progress. I am still a work in progress.

H: Have you had any opposition about the language you used in the book?

K: Naw man, I wrote that book based on actual conversations. Nothing was made up. In real life, real pain and emotions can’t be scripted. People don’t always say things the politically correct way when hit with real life situations so I kept it raw. Honestly I don’t know any other way to be.

H: Was this book a healing process for you?

K: Thick Skin gave me more than healing, it gave me liberty! I slept better, walked with more confidence, my hair grew; shoot I even gained some weight after writing this book. It’s amazing the toll that guilt and shame can take on your body mentally and physically. It’s like cancer and the only way to be healed is to share it with somebody else. You never know what kinda mess people are going through these days. And I know that if this book healed me, it could be medicine to someone else’s soul as well.

H: Where did you first bless the mic?

K: Java Daves! We tell stories poetry night! Go Heady!

H: Has We Tell Stories Poetry Night made any impact on your ministry?

K: Man if it wasn’t for we tell stories poetry night I don’t know if I
would be where I am now. It was my platform. It still is. It definitely
has contributed to my success.

H: Tell us about your books?

K: I have two poetry books titled “Broken yet sustained by God” and
“Anatomy of the soul”. I also have an autobiography titled “Thick Skin”
(parental discretion is advised on that one) All of my books are
inspirational non fiction books.

H: Do you read any other poet’s material?

K: Naw, not unless they send it to me.

H: What’s up with your son’s book? Is it completed? When will it come
out?

K: My 11 year old has completed his book. It is finished! I am in the
process of getting it printed as we speak. The title of his book is
called “Scary Cat” be on the look out for it.

H: When is Rozie going to come and do another set at poetry night?

K: I have absolutely no idea. I guess whenever Heady ask him to do it,
that’s when he will. Lol

H: I’m still looking for you to emcee a poetry night. When can we make
that happen? Lol…

K: Don’t even think about it buddy. I’m stickin to my calling and MCing is
not one of them lol

H: What can we expect from Kendal S. Turner in the near future?

K: Right now I have no idea what my next project is. However you can expect
for whatever I do to be real and personal. I try to show my true self in
everything I do.

H: Give us a website for people to visit for your product and upcoming
gigs.

K: www.myspace.com/kendalsturner or www.kendalsturner.com

H: What’s your first thought when you hear the word Jesus?

K: Save me! cause a chic got issues

Poet Matty V. – Performing Nov 09.

We are LOVING Matty V. He had the crowd on the edge of their seats. We definitely will have to get Matty V. to stop by again real soon.

Poet: Azar Banks

Heady Here! What’s good? I wanted to share a poet from the We Tell Stories Poetry NIght here in Oklahoma City on every forth Saturday of the month at Java Dave’s. Azar is pretty amazing. This kat has raw talent bursting out his pores. I was excited when he signed up for poetry night because I knew he would have something worth sharing. Check out my man Azar.

Anthony Williams (Poet)

Anthony is becoming one of the better talents in the Oklahoma City area. He has a passion for impacting people with his poems. I can remember his first time at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. He has most definitely worked on his presentation. I look forward to his future as a poet.

November’s Featured Poet

We are excited about Phlyisha Gassaway gracing the stage again as the featured poet on Saturday.  She is an extremely gifted writer.  Her heart for God is without question.  When on stage, she is comfortable.  It is our pleasure to welcome her once again.  You don’t want to miss her on November 29th at Java Dave’s for the We Tell Stories Poetry Night.

Kamikazee

Kamikazee is a poet, musician, rapper, etc. Here on this clip he is blessing the mic via poetry. He is a regular at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. The crowd loves his energy. Dude is funny as well. If you ever get a chance, you should purchase his CD. It’s “off da chain” for real. Check out the clip.