Power of storytelling
FOR Toowoomba teen Jimmy Foxx, writing and storytelling is more than just a hobby - it’s an escape.
Growing up with Asperger Syndrome and a difficult home life, Jimmy turned to writing at the tender age of eight, delving into the world of fantasy fiction.
“I put headphones on to cancel out the sounds outside my room and then I would relax,” Jimmy said.
“I felt calmed when I wrote - I could make the rules and control what happened.
“When I write a story, it isn’t something that has happened, it’s my own universe. It was a nice distraction that took my mind off of things.”
The act of writing didn’t come easily to Jimmy, as he struggled with physical implications of Asperger’s.
“I used to write in an unusual way, curling my wrists,” he said.
“I’m not the neatest writer, but I’ve come a long way.”
He was introduced to the magic of storytelling at primary school, and he later drew on his classmates for inspiration.
“I had trouble understanding a lot of things, which is why I enjoyed music and art the most,” he said.
“I started with short stories and then, at 13, I got to work on my first piece Haven Isle, which was a blend of scifi and fantasy.
“It was there that I met one of my best friends, Ewan, who helped with some of the original parts of my story.”
Nowadays he has been pouring his time into his new fantasy story, Necrotica, the tale of a teenager navigating an unknown wasteland. Having finished school, he is now looking to pursue work in fantasy writing.
“I want to do something I love, because I feel if I don’t enjoy it I won’t be doing my best at it. I want to enjoy my work,” he said.
“I’m hoping there may be some work experience in town. I would love to talk to some local authors or anyone in the cartooning or film industry.
“Even if it’s to help with someone else’s story, I just want to get writing again.”