Ask the Author: James Fox
Answered Questions (9)
James Fox
What a fun question! I sat with this for a while; the "mystery" aspect, for whatever reason, hung me up. There's a "supernatural-mystery-thriller" type story that I almost wrote instead, but I decided to stick to the classic mystery genre.
I grew up in a small town—one of those places where everyone knows everyone else. I love my hometown ferociously. I grew up there; my parents grew up there—a place of deep roots and long-lasting relationships. When I was in high school, I suffered a catastrophic accident while volunteering. Without getting into the graphic details, a giant piece of equipment with a razor-sharp edge fell on my legs and sliced me halfway through the bone down the length of my shin. It was gnarly.
I was obviously treated on-site and rushed to the emergency room. My family doctor at the time was immediately called to treat the injury. Being near the same age as my parents and had likewise come from families that lived in the town for generations. Of particular note, his family and my family had a bit of a rivalry. Nothing nefarious or anything, just old sports rivals dating back 30-40 years.
When I say he did little to treat my significant injury and instead endeavored to do me harm, I'm intentionally being vague. Luckily, if you can call it that, the wound was so fast and severe that I never felt it. Nor did I feel the "treatment" that was applied. Which included calling me names, laughing at the injury and the fact that I'd never be able to play sports again, and dumping iodine into the wound while watching my face for a reaction. A pretty wild experience for a young kid to endure.
My parents were none too pleased, obviously, by the whole ordeal. This was back when lawsuits were still relatively taboo, especially in a small town like we lived in. You handled your problems yourself. Doing so was a matter of pride. So, when my family began to grumble about how I was treated, word got around the town, and here is where the "mystery" starts. The whole thing was swept under the carpet. Documents were changed or lost altogether. The doctor promptly closed his practice and disappeared from town. Nobody would talk about it. Even the place I had been volunteering was evidently in on the conspiracy because they wouldn't acknowledge my "ever having been there." This was funny because I volunteered there regularly - like weekly!
It took me a while to walk again. I lived with severe cardiovascular damage to my legs for a decade before a new surgery to correct the damage became available. All because of the initial treatment (or lack thereof). To this day, I still have no idea what happened to that doctor! I laugh about it now, but back then it was this whole web of lies and deceit. Everyone knew that something bad had been done, but it just went away. If I hadn't bourne the scars, literally, from the event I'd have probably succumbed to the town-wide gaslighting myself!
I've always thought that would make a good story. Kind of a mystery-drama about the potentially ugly side of living in a small town.
The funny thing is, that injury changed the trajectory of my life completely. And, I'm thankful for that! I love what I do and where I'm at in life. Had that injury not happened, who knows where I'd be?!
If you want to know the supernatural option, you'll have to ask for it. Thanks for this one! It was a fun one to answer.
I grew up in a small town—one of those places where everyone knows everyone else. I love my hometown ferociously. I grew up there; my parents grew up there—a place of deep roots and long-lasting relationships. When I was in high school, I suffered a catastrophic accident while volunteering. Without getting into the graphic details, a giant piece of equipment with a razor-sharp edge fell on my legs and sliced me halfway through the bone down the length of my shin. It was gnarly.
I was obviously treated on-site and rushed to the emergency room. My family doctor at the time was immediately called to treat the injury. Being near the same age as my parents and had likewise come from families that lived in the town for generations. Of particular note, his family and my family had a bit of a rivalry. Nothing nefarious or anything, just old sports rivals dating back 30-40 years.
When I say he did little to treat my significant injury and instead endeavored to do me harm, I'm intentionally being vague. Luckily, if you can call it that, the wound was so fast and severe that I never felt it. Nor did I feel the "treatment" that was applied. Which included calling me names, laughing at the injury and the fact that I'd never be able to play sports again, and dumping iodine into the wound while watching my face for a reaction. A pretty wild experience for a young kid to endure.
My parents were none too pleased, obviously, by the whole ordeal. This was back when lawsuits were still relatively taboo, especially in a small town like we lived in. You handled your problems yourself. Doing so was a matter of pride. So, when my family began to grumble about how I was treated, word got around the town, and here is where the "mystery" starts. The whole thing was swept under the carpet. Documents were changed or lost altogether. The doctor promptly closed his practice and disappeared from town. Nobody would talk about it. Even the place I had been volunteering was evidently in on the conspiracy because they wouldn't acknowledge my "ever having been there." This was funny because I volunteered there regularly - like weekly!
It took me a while to walk again. I lived with severe cardiovascular damage to my legs for a decade before a new surgery to correct the damage became available. All because of the initial treatment (or lack thereof). To this day, I still have no idea what happened to that doctor! I laugh about it now, but back then it was this whole web of lies and deceit. Everyone knew that something bad had been done, but it just went away. If I hadn't bourne the scars, literally, from the event I'd have probably succumbed to the town-wide gaslighting myself!
I've always thought that would make a good story. Kind of a mystery-drama about the potentially ugly side of living in a small town.
The funny thing is, that injury changed the trajectory of my life completely. And, I'm thankful for that! I love what I do and where I'm at in life. Had that injury not happened, who knows where I'd be?!
If you want to know the supernatural option, you'll have to ask for it. Thanks for this one! It was a fun one to answer.
James Fox
I've honestly been one of those super creative types that's constantly needing that kind of outlet. I do a little bit of everything - my current obsession is trying to build a blacksmith shop with furnaces and forges, and to make my own *something* - not even sure what yet! Last summer I went on a clay-collecting binge and taught myself how to construct earthen-draft-furnaces. I've always been that person carrying around a book, it's just become a part of my every day life. So, now instead of carrying books around - I carry a little notebook and when I'm doing these crazy things, I scribble notes about story ideas it gives me. Interaction with people also inspires me. Hearing what people have to say about things that have happened in their life that had an impact. It moves me.
James Fox
Do not let anyone stop you. If you want to write, then do it. Write.
James Fox
The absolute best thing about being a writer is listening to fan feedback! I love getting into discussions with fans about the characters, the world, and the various plot points. Just hearing what people loved, or didn't love, is amazing. I got feedback from a fan who said that they cried three times throughout the book, and the ending made them break. While it made me sad to find out I had caused someone to cry, it was also such an amazing feeling to know that I moved someone to tears with my story. Keep the feedback coming, I love it!
James Fox
"A Little Hatred" by Joe Abercrombie
James Fox
Currently working on Book 2 of The Sol Saga, a couple of feature film scripts - including a musical I'm very excited about! As well as a co-author sci-fi novel that I'm having a ton of fun writing. It's one thing to write in the world that you built - it's something very special to be invited/allowed to write in a world that someone else labored over. You'll be seeing details on that soon.
James Fox
I'm lucky enough to have surrounded myself with incredibly, insanely talented, and creative people. I am constantly bouncing ideas back and forth between people. So, in that, I feel like I don't suffer what people consider the traditional "writer's block." However, my system does have a substantial flaw. When there are too many good ideas, and you can't seem to decide between them - or good ideas don't play nicely together. Brainstorm, workshop, and write. Sometimes just writing out something exposes flaws in the story, or inspires interesting solutions. Momentum is important.
James Fox
Yes. The readers hated it.
xD
xD
James Fox
This question is amazing! So many choices! I have a lot of favorites for this one, but I think I will have to say Brandon Sanderson's Scadrial from Mistborn. That magic system is just insane! I would just play with Allomancy all day. Such a richly textured world.
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