Book Jacket

Rank 1

Word Count

63667

Date submitted

11.26.2009

Date Updated

03.11.2010

Artistic License

by joanamysts

Book: General Fiction, Romance, Humor

At a school where everyone's encouraged to be themselves, you'd think there wouldn't be a lot of problems. Yeah right.

Is the world perfect? It might come close for the students of Clearbell School of Arts and Sciences, where they're encouraged to be themselves and (literally) dance in the rain. But not everyone is having an easy time. Cameron, for instance, can't get rid of his past even though he wants to: a broken-hearted girlfriend and an affair with an older classmate. Even now, having been with his boyfriend Michael for several months, it comes back to bite him. And the visual arts competition in the school carnival just might be where it all ends up.

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mscheponik

wrote 54 days ago

I love your writing style, if I've never said that before. Cameron's POV is witty and relatable. I loved when he said or Jean could be a stalker and then followed it up with that's not disconcerting. You have a lot of dry humor in this, which I love. In the previous chapter, the awkward tension after the movies came across very realistic. Your characters all blend well, even with having their own distinct characteristics. I think that's why I enjoy this so much, it's focused a lot on the characters and not some sort of otherworldly element. So, in fear of sounding annoyingly complimentary, I'll summarize by saying I didn't notice any type of grammatical errors or anything that I recall, and your writing is still just as amazing as it always was. I'm so sorry I haven't kept up with reading it. But thank you for letting me know it was updated! I missed reading it.

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Jenny

wrote 106 days ago

Aw, it's so cute. I love it. That characters are people I could see myself hanging out with or being annoyed by realistically. I'm curious as to the main conflict, but you've done a good job hinting at drama to come. Keep on writing. I want to read the rest!

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anilawrites

wrote 105 days ago

So I noticed you're a creative writing major, and it definitely shows. You handle the language expertly, and your characters are very real. I love love love the relationship between Michael and Cameron. So natural, so easy. Keep it up :)

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FaythWriter

wrote 103 days ago

Well-written. You have a nice writing style that is very easy to follow and it flows very well. It makes the story very easy to understand. I just read the first chapter, but it was very very good. Nice job!

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silentx3heart

wrote 1 day ago

This was an amazing story! Your characters are all well developed and i love Cameron's voice, always playful and clever. I also like the relationship between Cameron and Michael. I'm so envious of your writing style and how you bring everything to life. Good Job(:

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xX-Forgotten_Angel-Xx

wrote 2 days ago

Ok, the relashinship (please excuse my atroshious spelling) between Cam and Michcel is extreamly interesting, i like this alot
i cant wait to read more of since i only just finsihed chapter 3 xD
Great job! like it a lot
~ Alyna

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orion

wrote 2 days ago

I'm definitely intrigued by the relationships you're setting up here. You've already made the characters so real that I can't help caring about them!

There are a few small grammatical errors, such as "I decided to take a peak into the room..." Mountains have peaks. People peek around corners. Also "Maybe I can convince someone at the school," that's a tense change. It should be "Maybe I could convince..."

Hahaha, rain streakers. I know people who would do that. It's wierd, but you keep it believeable. : ) Props again.

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orion

wrote 2 days ago

Oh my gosh. I've just read the first chapter, and I have to say, you have some of the best dialogue I have ever read. I have no idea how you managed to write a lunch scene with so many characters in a way that lets me keep them all straight...when I have lunch with that many people in REAL LIFE, I have trouble keeping everything straight. But the scene didn't feel artificial at all. The moment that really made it feel real to me was when Miranda lifted up her head phones and asked "Because if that was a 'your mom' joke, I'm going to have to remind you that Michael and I have the same mom." I grinned at it because it is something you would hear in any high school cafeteria. I seriously can't get over how realistic the whole scene was. Wonderful job.

I really have nothing to criticize here...a couple of awkward sentences here and there and a lot of characters to keep track of, but you overall you handle it expertly. Oh yeah, the one thing that didn't make me think this would be a pick right away, though I'd decided to pick by the end of the chapter, was the very first sentence. It's not much of a hook to me and I had to read it twice to really get the "whether they had a direction or not" part. Also, it should be "but you GOT used to it after a while." Anyway, it's clear that people get addicted to this story even with that awkward first sentence. I'm on to the second chapter. I really enjoyed this.

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Molly Prangley Desormeaux

wrote 2 days ago

please look at my book! http://www.inkpop.com/projects/28379/the-angel-on-the-christmas-tree/

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jonesthrone

wrote 4 days ago

I love this piece, goes to my top pick

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winifredpoet

wrote 4 days ago

This worth alot for it to be on top, so i am putting it to my top pick. Thanks for the welcome adress also, and i will read this stuff later, now it will go top pick

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winifredpoet

wrote 4 days ago

This worth alot for it to be on top, so i am putting it to my top pick. Thanks for the welcome adress also, and i will read this stuff later, now it will go top pick

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Lemonpie

wrote 4 days ago

I loved this book, i started the first page and then couldn't stop till I got to the end. I guess what I loved most was that it was different, yes you have all those teenage romantic books all the time, but this one was realistic and also I love the art/ science math school idea because i'm really into art. I also loved the fusion between Jaime and Devin You kind of realised that at the end they would be like mike and cam, but even so you couldn't believe it till it was 'read'. You should definitley make a sequence because I was so sad when I finished reading this
-lemonpie

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progressiveteen50000

wrote 4 days ago

great style and finesse with the pen my friend. btw, to all joanamysts fans, do me a favor&check out my stuff2. i hate to plug, but I jst had2. anyway, great job!

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Hollie~Sidney~Kiro~Neko

wrote 5 days ago

wow. this is amazingly written, and is very appealing. i like the twist of cameron's orientation...you never see a story that will go out and do that. i like it very much.

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writer_girl*19

wrote 6 days ago

Great job. I like your style of writing!

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StoryGirl96

wrote 6 days ago

Hey, I read your first chapter. I like your style, especially about Cameron and Michael's relationship. It's so...unique. Your style made the novel so easy to read. I hope you would read my uncompleted novel, Broken Home.

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flaggirl3

wrote 7 days ago

I love this story. I know I've probaly said that before, but it is awesome. There is hardly any grammar and spelling problems and the characters are awesome. What is the deal with Sarah? I'm only on chapter nine so Iguess I'll find out later.

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AlicetheHatter

wrote 8 days ago

You hae this way of making the character's extremely relatable, and I just can find everyone growing on me with every word. Your personalities come across so vividly, and your detail is to the point where I can imagine exactly what the room looks like, the typical day, what i could expect to FIND at the art school etcetera etcetera. I wanna be best friends with everyone, heehee~ Michael and Cameron have such an easy going nice relationship it makes me smile. I love it. :D

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bOoK_gEeK =)

wrote 8 days ago

OMG!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!! I dont usually read anything like this but it turned out to be amazing :) You are an amazing writer and you should keep going. Keep writting, and make your next books amazing as this one =)
-B.D.M

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nikannika

wrote 9 days ago

I'm going to start off by saying that i am not a fan of realistic fiction. but i saw this on the top list and decided hey, why not? and man, am i glad i did! it's an amazing story with a unique writing style. while i was reading i could easily imagine myself sitting in my bed under my lamp holding this as a published book that i had bought at a bookstore. You have great description and...well...i guess the only thing really left to say is AWSOMELY AMAZING!!! get it published and i'm gona try to buy it!

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kevinwong_HoD

wrote 10 days ago

This is a wonderful story Joana. The title, cover, and pitch are perfect for getting a book agent or publisher's attention. Your writing is polished and reads just like a store book. I hope so much you will get a book deal for Artistic License! :-)

Yours Truly,

Kevin Wong
Author of Heroes of Destiny

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ThePaperGypsy

wrote 11 days ago

Ohgosh. I didn't expect to like this, honestly. But I did. With basically every character in here, I can think of someone I know IRL who is exactly like them. Especially Cameron. xD You don't try to sugarcoat the scenes or anything. I'm only just barely into the second chapter, but you've definitely got my attention. I'm adding this to my watch-list/picks.
<3Noey

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emocutie95

wrote 11 days ago

sounds super intresting ^-^ i wanna read more

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LilMissMuffit

wrote 12 days ago

I've read up to chapter 12 and so far I'm really enjoying it! I love the setting, especially since I'm also a very artistic person and can relate to the characters. I love the subject matter, too! There really needs to be more LGBT fiction in this world!
I
love all the characters and I find they are all very relatable. The way they interact is very natural. I find this story also very realistic, with problems a lot of people have experienced and can relate to. I keep on wanting to come back and read more!

Even though this book is very good, there were some chapters that could have been ended differently with a sentence that has more closure or one that will entice the reader to go on to the next chapter. Some chapters seemed to end a bit abruptly to me, but maybe that was your intention.

Either way, I still love your book and I wish you the best of luck in keeping your #1 position!

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lunachick_08

wrote 12 days ago

i've only read the profile, but i'm hooked already!

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A.girl.in.a.confused.world

wrote 13 days ago

I aven't finished it yet, but from the very start you have captured my attention :) I enjoy going on to the next chapters. Keep up with the good work! :)

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Water Bottle Blondie

wrote 14 days ago

awww! I love this book so much!!! This definitely deserved to be in the Top 5.... well, maybe next time! The book was amazing, and it's almost midnight on a school night and I just finished reading it. :) The book only had about 3 misspelled words, and I think that was it!

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Maddie11

wrote 14 days ago

On my picks-- this has GOT to get in the top 5!!! I love this book, and it totally deserves to be at number 1, or at least in the top picks this month. Hope it makes it in the next few hours :D Great job, joanamysts, you have a great book here :D

P.S. Sorry, that was cheesy, but it's been a cheesy night for me... lol

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Andrew W

wrote 14 days ago

Artistic License

Hi Joanna,

You have some great characters here, each of them have a lot to say and each of them has a three dimensional internal life which really helps bring them to life. They are people it is interesting to spend time around. If I was going to suggest areas for development I would point to the use of the "I" pronoun, I know the first person thing means you'll need to use it, but I think with careful thought you can probably whittle down its use here. And a second thing to consider is the pace and development of the plot, it seems we have a long time to get to know the characters, but I did wonder as I was reading the opening scene whether we were experiencing him painting for any other reason than to show him painting, for example, my mind leapt on the idea of him painting cats when he didn't have them as pets as a kid as significant. I will of course have to read further to see if it is, but I wonder if it is.

Different from much YA fare on this site, fresh, interesting characters who you let talk naturally, they are more than enough to carry a story, all you need to do now I think is get us to that narrative sooner. Deserving of its high rank, best wishes and good luck

Andrew W
(Sanctuary's Loss)

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lily1411

wrote 14 days ago

hey, i'd just like to say that i looovve Cameron's voice in this story! funny/sarcastic, i can definitely relate to it! but i think my favorite person is Tabby. She's a lot like me (i mean, literally. i carry around a notebook everywhere and write things down that i like, or are funny i can use as dialogue) this school seems very interesting, not to mention very realistic.
?question? is this a finished book?

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bookwyrmm

wrote 14 days ago

I have read half of this so far and I really like it, but, as there are a bunch of little conflicts rather than one large conflict, and they take a while to resolve, it seems like it would be best as TV show.

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Dori Fox

wrote 15 days ago

I've only gotten to the end of chapter 6 but this is getting really good. I'll try to finish reading it over the next couple of days!

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Just A Pinch Of PixieDust

wrote 15 days ago

I'm Only On 5 But I Want To Read So Much More!! This Is Awesome! I'm Totally Reading More Of Your Stories When I Get Done With This! Keep Up The Great Work!

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Just A Pinch Of PixieDust

wrote 15 days ago

I Love It! I'm Not Done With It Yet (Actually I've Only Read The First Page) But I Can't Stop Reading! It's Awesome!
.... I Think I've Become Addicted....

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Never Love

wrote 15 days ago

Added to my watch list. Very good so far that I have read. I do love how you write as well. Nice work!
~Susie

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Alina Horton

wrote 15 days ago

This is a really cool story that i can actually picture while reading. keep up the good work.

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jessisay

wrote 16 days ago

if you're not too busy and have time, could you comment on any of my writing, especially my two books: "Miranda's Nightmare" and "Razor Burn"? I'd really appreciate any input you could give me. Your comments would mean lot! Of course I would read more of your writing in return.

<3 Jess

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taylorshane3928

wrote 16 days ago

i like the story idea.
and i like the style

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@DR!@N@

wrote 16 days ago

VERY UNEXPECTED. I WAS THINKING IT WAS GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORY BUT IN A WAY ITS BETTER THAN WHAT I WAS THINKING. U HAVE A GOOD WRITING STYLE AND IM LUVN THE CHARACTERS. WHEN U HAVE TIME READ MY POEM ''UNKNOWN''. APPRECIATE IT. THANX.

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The Hippie

wrote 17 days ago

I love it. I've read through chapter six and I love the characters. the dialogue is especially great, and the little nuances of humor you add in are fabulous. I don't have any critiques for you. You simply have a great style.

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Randi Hardy

wrote 18 days ago

You are really good! The characters were so easy to relate to and understand.

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╝Frøggy╕

wrote 18 days ago

Done with number 2. And guess what? My favorite name is Jamie! But sadly it's not my real name...but the second chapter is great! Keep moving forward!!!!

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╝Frøggy╕

wrote 18 days ago

I read the first chapter and I'm not going to lie, that the only thing that really bothers me are that there are gay dude's. But honestly I do like the story so far. At first I thought you only wrote that chapter until I got down to the bottom of it....
:D

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sginette

wrote 19 days ago

This is pretty good. No outright AMAING, but getting there. I love stories about real life, and I like that each of the characters have their own quirks and ways of speaking. Verry nice :)
~Skylah <3

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detailsinthefabric

wrote 19 days ago

Really well written!
Wow, 21 chapters haha... I can't wait to read the rest later! (It's 1:30 AM where I am haha.)

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MindFreak27

wrote 19 days ago

I just finished it in its entirety and I've got to say that it's one of my favorite things I've read on here so far. The only real complaint I have about it is that some of the grammar and syntax are a little off but that's fixable and not all that much of a hinderence to the rest of the work. The characters didn't seem overly done and seemed like people that I could probably pinpoint in my school or even in a mall or something. It all had a realism that some writers tend to miss. All in all, I had a great time reading it and I'll be rooting for you in the end. (The part with the old woman and the cookie is still my favorite part.)

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mscheponik

wrote 20 days ago

Aww, it's over. :( I enjoyed the epilogue, though! I think you did a good job at given it closure but not making it too picture-perfect, and some of the things (like with what happened with Miranda) the reader still doesn't get a cookie-cutter answer for, and I like that you leave it open for interpretation instead of spelling the entire remaining years of the character's lives to us. Still standing behind my early comment from 34 days ago. :D

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Writing_Music_Addict<3

wrote 20 days ago

I only had time to read the first chapter, but I love your writing style! This story is very good and I am definitely going to keep it on my watch list until I finish it. I can't wait to!

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Carolina1997

wrote 20 days ago

This is really good :D you do deserve to be in top 5 .

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Carolina1997

wrote 20 days ago

This is really good :D you do deserve to be in top 5 .

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Carolina1997

wrote 20 days ago

This is really good :D you do deserve to be in top 5 .

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Carolina1997

wrote 20 days ago

This is really good :D you do deserve to be in top 5 .

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Carolina1997

wrote 20 days ago

This is really good :D

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