Today we’d like to introduce you to Chynna Williams.
Chynna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in San Francisco, CA, and raised in the Bay Area with my mother and brother. Despite being shy, I’ve always felt the most comfortable around my family, friends, and my favorite books. I attended California State University, Chico to obtain my undergraduate studies in Kinesiology to become an Athletic Trainer. But, as I applied to graduate school, I found that athletic training wasn’t my passion. I didn’t start writing until a few years ago, but growing up I loved reading fantasy and adventure stories. I loved jumping into new fantastical worlds such as Narnia or Middle Earth. It wasn’t until my semester abroad in Italy that I truly found my passion for writing. I was so inspired by the beauty and history of that country which made me want to create my own fantastical worlds. A few years later, I found myself feeling stuck and not knowing what to do with my life, working endless unfulfilling jobs. After the pandemic, I finally had the courage to change my path and move to Los Angeles to earn my Master’s degree in screenwriting so that I could share my passion for writing with others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pursuing a screenwriting career wasn’t always easy for me as I dealt with many insecurities and anxieties. Due to these insecurities, I struggled with figuring out what I was passionate about. It always took me a long time to decide what I wanted in life because I never thought I could achieve it. It wasn’t until my semester abroad that I really felt confident, as it was the first time in my life I did something for myself. I’ve always felt that I spent too much time helping others that I neglected to stop and listen to what I wanted. I kept believing that there wasn’t enough time for me to pursue my passions which is where most of my anxieties stem from. Apart from my anxiety and self-doubt, I struggled with self-identity. I’m mixed race. My mother is white and my father is black, and now while I am very proud and confident in who I am. Growing up, I never felt like I fit in anywhere, constantly being asked where I was from or what my nationality is. People always seemed shocked when I told them that I was half-black and half-white, and because of that it made me doubt who I was. I never spoke out about it because I was afraid people wouldn’t understand my identity struggles. It wasn’t until a previous work experience and a difficult time in graduate school that I truly felt like I was being questioned for who I was. From those experiences, I finally decided to speak out about it through my own writing projects.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a recent graduate of the New York Film Academy – Burbank where I earned an MFA in screenwriting. I am currently looking for a full-time job in the entertainment industry to pursue a screenwriting career. My goal is to become a show-runner for a television series I created and to own a production company. I love screenwriting but I also have a passion for directing and producing. I truly discovered my voice during my time at NYFA, as I found that I love writing fantasy/sci-fi feature films and television shows. I love building worlds that center around non-white female lead characters. I tend to incorporate my own experiences into my work. I think it is imperative to discuss mental health and the difficulties people of color experience pursuing their passions. So, a lot of the characters in my stories deal with mental health struggles and overcome them in the new worlds they are thrust into.
My worlds tend to lean towards the supernatural in urban and/or historical fantasy settings. Just like my characters, the worlds are three-dimensional. I’m most proud of my thesis project titled “Blood Bond” as it encapsulates everything I love to write. In a few words, it involves witches and vampires set in the 1950s Jim Crow South. But I am also extremely proud of my web series pilot, found on Youtube, titled “The KVerse,” which draws inspiration from my love for K-pop.
What sets me apart from other writers is that I’m not afraid to push boundaries. I tell the truth about racial injustice and the current political climate. Despite encountering many people who doubt my own experiences or are blindly unaware of historical facts. But apart from that, I thrive on crafting unique and diverse characters in worlds and settings you rarely see them in.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is to finally see more strong female characters who look like me in the worlds I love creating. Rarely do I see Black or mixed-race females as leads in fantasy or sci-fi shows or movies. Because of this, I will continue to write these characters to give more opportunities to people of color. This is so we don’t limit them to the typical roles you might expect them in. I think the entertainment industry is moving forward but it is also moving very slowly. I think that’s because writers don’t write diverse roles in these settings to give them that opportunity. So, I think it’s important to give them those opportunities to make it a norm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chynnaw16.wixsite.com/chynna-williams
- Instagram: chynna.williams.writes42
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chynna-williams-802413a9/
- Youtube: @chynnawilliams1233
