Featured Interview With Fred Tippett, II
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am Fred Tippett, II, the author of the recently released YA Mystery novel THE WOMEN IN WHITE–which is currently on sale now via Amazon. I was raised in Alabama, and live there now, though I was away from my home state for quite a while because I attended college in Georgia and law school in Philadelphia. I am currently a Washington-DC-barred attorney. Sadly, I do not have any pets.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I first realized that I was fascinated with books during early childhood–when I became nigh obsessed with Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew titles (both the originals and the later branch-off books). As I grew into my teen years, my tastes began to mature a bit, tending more towards YA novels written by traditionally published, big-name authors like James Patterson or Anthony Horowitz or James Frey. I also started reading more adult-oriented novels as well, some by James Patterson, some by Sue Grafton, some by other authors.
I first began writing during my freshman year of college, though this wasn’t writing books “in proper.” It was more like very detailed outlining. The laying out of books–outlining them–has always been rather easy for me, and I created very detailed outlines for MANY books beginning during my freshman year. Somehow, though, I never quite found the bravery to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) in writing a proper book until one rainy Sunday during my second year of law school. I’m still a master outliner to this day–but since then, I ALSO have been writing books as quickly as the ideas will come to me.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors tend to change often–but I will say that as of right now, I heavily favor works by Michael Connelly, Mary Higgins Clark, and C.S. Lewis. I’m also really looking forward to reading Barack Obama’s recently released memoir A PROMISED LAND.
I have three favorite genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, and Fantasy, not necessarily in that order. Nevertheless, I do read quite a bit more Mystery than I do Sci Fi or Fantasy.
As an author, I have to say that I take inspiration from just about EVERYTHING. Real world events, day-to-day life, things that I read, even things that I write. Every book begins with one or more ideas, and ideas can come from anywhere–at any time.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book–THE WOMEN IN WHITE–is also my first published. It is a Young Adult Mystery novel whose primary character is Greg Chase. Greg is a sixteen-year-old wunderkind whose heightened powers of deduction have, for a little over a year, allowed him to hold a working position as the New York Police Department’s youngest ever civilian consultant. Greg is quite pleased with his job in the NYPD, but he’s forced out when his actions inadvertently lead to the death of a suspect.
Greg returns to school–and shortly thereafter becomes drawn to the new girl, a deviant and mysterious loner named Mel Locket. Greg and Mel begin to grow closer and build a relationship, only for Greg to learn that Mel is actually the prime suspect in the stabbing death of her former friend and classmate from her last school. The police, Mel’s therapist, and even her mother think she did it. Greg, who has made a relatively strong connection with Mel during their brief relationship, thinks her innocent. And he sets out to prove it by any means necessary.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles