Chatting with Chick from Chick & Biscuit

For National Poetry Month, we set out to explore different types of poetry. Since songwriting is a beautiful and creative way to express poetic thought, we turned to our own award-winning Emily Dunlap Carter whose recent exploration into songwriting has already won her and husband John Carter recognition from American Songwriter Magazine.

Let’s start with a fun question, what is your favorite song and why?

My favorite song of all time is “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley – good memories of my youth associated with this song. I’ve always been a Henley fan.

After writing creative nonfiction for so long, what inspired you to start writing songs?

I’m married to a musician. Since our retirement and move to Beaufort, John has started a band, Old Age & Treachery, with an old friend from college. Since I refer to John in my writing as Smokin’ Hot Love Biscuit, and my blog is achicksview.com, we have started to do some reading/music performances. Our duo is called Chick & Biscuit.

How do you approach writing creative nonfiction versus songwriting?

We are constantly collecting lines and phrases that might be good for my blog or for a song hook. It’s a continuous, evolving list, and it has been the inspiration for the two songs that we have taken from start to finish, from concept to lyrics and music.

Can you discuss your process for writing a song, from the initial inspiration to the finished product?

So far our process for songwriting has been to collaborate on the idea, write separately, edit, and then John sets the work to music. We’ve joined Nashville Songwriter Association and subscribe to American Songwriters magazine.

Can you talk about a specific moment or experience that inspired one of your songs or creative nonfiction pieces?

Our song, “Don’t Come Home,” was inspired by a woman flirting with John when he was playing at Back Street Pub. It’s about me being jealous in a playful way. Crowds really enjoy it and by the third chorus, they are all singing along.

Do you find yourself drawn to writing that is more personal or more universal in its themes and messages?

Our songwriting has been more personal than universal – most of what we address comes from what we witness or see or hear – I guess it’s more universe inspired than universal.

How do you know when a song is finished?

Songs typically last between three and five minutes, so that can determine the length of your writing. When we placed in the American Songwriter’s contest, the judge suggested that our song was unfinished, so we went back and added a bridge, which made it feel more complete.

How do you see your songwriting evolving in the future?

We enter at least one song in American Songwriter’s contest which they host six times a year. Experienced songwriters say that to get your work in front of an audience, you must be prolific with your craft. As much as John wants us to write blues, I’m a country writer – same reason I write creative nonfiction, there’s too much organic material lying around for me to move to another genre.

What advice would you give to aspiring poets and songwriters who are just starting out?

Just try it on for size. Put together your thoughts and play with what you have created. New songs and songwriters are born every day.

What message or feeling do you hope to convey through your songwriting?

If we can leave any message in our songs, it’s hopefully to help people think, feel, and be happier.