Here is Stonefemme.Com's Interview with the wonderful C.C. Carter, a Femme We Love!

Stonefemme.Com: C.C. give us a little bit of background on your professional history.

C.C. Carter: I began writing poetry in the eighth grade at the advice of my teacher. He entered my work into a young people's poetry contest, that was named after Gwendolyn Brooks. I won and she (Gwendolyn Brooks) wrote me a letter which I still have at home.

I began studing poetry and literature, majored in it in college. I wrote a lot and submitted work to the Spelman journal of creative writing.

I began reading at open mics and a director of an LGBT performance ensemble saw me and asked me to perform with them. The work with A Real Read (Chicago's Premiere African American LGBT Performance Ensemble), trained me in theatre techniques and performance. It also developed my self confidence in delivery of material.

I entered a couple of national poetry slams and actually won. At The Guild Complex Gwendolyn Brooks Competition - she presented me a check of $500. It has been the highlight of my life to this day - almost full-circle.

Eventually, I went on my own, because I never stopped writing. I started at local women's venues and then ventured into the Womyn's Music Festival scene, incorporating music, performance and theatre. Now, it's my life.

Stonefemme.Com: How long have you been performing and would you consider yourself a performer/actress or a poetess/writer or something else entirely?

C.C. Carter: I consider myself a performance poet. All genres of poetry start with a good poem - that has to be first. Then I incorporate multi-media to enhance the poem. This is different then slam competitions and more traditional literary readings. I believe that it's why I have a wide varied cross-over audience. I always think of my audience when I working on the presentation of the poems. What will help my audience vibe with me on this particular poem?

Stonefemme.Com: What other performers/writers inspire you?

C.C. Carter: June Jordan's work to music and on stage was beautiful. Then there's Alix Olson, Stacey Ann Chin, and sharon bridgforth.

Stonefemme.Com: Is Body Language your latest release?

C.C. Carter: Yes it is my newest release. I have a chapbook which is entitled Letters To My Love. But Body Language is a full collection of my work.

Stonefemme.Com: What inspired you to write Body Language?

C.C. Carter: A lot of my work focuses on walking in the world in duality - femme, multicultural and full-figured. The way women view themselves in opposition to the way media wants to present us is very important thematically in my work. I don't believe that women are born with low self-esteem. It is a systematic receiving of negative images on TV, from family and in society that breaks down the worthy-self. So I write in opposition of what society has deemed beautiful.

I grew up in a household of Domincan and Carribean women who were size 18 and up and the men who loved their fullness. But when I left my home, the world viewed this as not beauty, not the norm. So I write from the point that motivates and uplifts women.

I also wanted to give voice to Femme women particularly those of color and to recognize the dynamics of Butch-Femme relationships with emphasis on the erotic.

Stonefemme.Com: When did you come out as a Lesbian?

C.C. Carter: I believe I was 21, right after college

Stonefemme.Com: When did you come out as a Femme or Lady (not sure which you prefer)?

C.C. Carter: My friends used to always tease me because I was such a priss or very lady-like growing up. My first lover was a stone butch which from that point on helped me to define what was missing in my teen years for which I knew I liked girls but knew that I was not like the images that media portrayed us to be. I was a Lady and also Femme.

Stonefemme.Com: How has being a Femme influenced your work if at all?

C.C. Carter: It is an underlined theme in my work - and how I present it to my audience. It is very important to me to represent one view of Femmeness. Women don't often get a chance to see themselves on stage especially, femme women of color. There are not that many of us willing to take that risk to put ourselves out there that way. That's why I've always loved Jewelle Gomez, one of the view who broke the mold for Femme women of color. A lot has to do with Family and Homophobia in the Black Community. So, I make it my business to incorporate in all facets of my work and to show the other side of lesbianism. It is critical to the way society sees us and the way media depicts us and then to add the full-figured erotic viewpoint to it also is my mission.

Stonefemme.Com: How has being gay influenced your work if at all?

C.C. Carter: There isn't a poem that I've written so far that doesn't infer or elude to my sexuality and orientation. That might change in the future because my writing grows from year to year. But also the issues of women are not just lesbian related. And the more that all women can see the commonality in their struggles as women, the more we can develop comradery across different races and ethnicities and ages, religions and beyond sexuality.

Stonefemme.Com: In your poetry you deal alot with size issues why?

C.C. Carter: I'm a full-figured girl - size 16. I get tired of the negative stereotypes of full figured women on TV - Drew Carrey Show, where she looks like a clown, The Practice - where she has relationships with serial killers, The Parkers where she has unrequited love....etc.

We have very fulfilling relationships, loving relationships, are very erotic, beautiful and sexual beings. And the women and men that love us are not often written about nor is the eroticism of us written about us.

Stonefemme.Com: How has being a woman of color influenced your professional pursuits?

C.C. Carter: The way I can't divorce myself from being Femme, or full-figured - I can't divorce myself from being a woman of color - they are interwoven into who I am. The dialect in it's written and oral form and the experiences I encounter when I walk in the world are all influential. But to get on the stage and see the women of color sometimes see for the first time a performer who looks like them and the look of appreciation on their faces is worth it everytime. To see white women who have never seen a black performer (because often there is a feeling that the subject matter does not relate to our own experiences), begin to vibe with me despite my color and accepted for the merit of the work is very important to opening doors for those after me. And is very important to me for those who paved the road for me to be there.

Stonefemme.Com: What are you currently working on?

C.C. Carter: A CD with music and several singers and artists.
A novel and a new collection of poetry.

Stonefemme.Com: When and where will you be performing next?

C.C. Carter: I will be at Sistahfest, Ladyfest South and P-Town in October

Stonefemme.Com: Is it true that you will be performing in PTown the same weekend as the Butch-Femme.Com PTown Bash?

C.C. Carter: Absolutely, 1:00 PM shows Thurs - Sunday, October 17-20.

Stonefemme.Com: I am looking forward to seeing you perform. I know, I will definitely be there!

if you are interested in learning more about C.C. Carter visit her website.

All Photography by Anthony Dowell

C.C. Carter's Publisher is Kings Crossing Publishing out of Atlanta.

If you are interested in being featured in Femmes We Love please write webmaster@stonefemme.com.