"I'm Good," Ain't Nobody's Happy

The composition of this thesis will comprise an artistic statement, critical paper, and the first 90 pages of a fiction-based manuscript created during the pursuit of my master’s degree in creative writing at Liberty University. Beginning with the artist’s statement, I will present the creative mindset utilized in composing the chapters of the manuscript that best reflect my declaration to be entitled as an author. My critical paper will follow my artist’s statement, which will further discuss the fundamental themes that highlight this story, which are social acceptance, faith, and redemption. Using the platform of a fiction novel, I will present the approach this written piece utilizes in a manner that represents my stance as a Christian faith individual who writes fiction literature to promote a different perspective in dealing with the story’s presented themes. The conclusion of this thesis will embed the most intricate piece of this work, which is the creative component. This creative piece, “I’m good,” Ain’t Nobody’s Happy, will form a large part of the finished manuscript, contextually framed around a millennial perspective for diverse readers.