Theodore Adams III : Q & A Interview

Ted Adams delivers a soul-stirring and deeply reflective work that captivated the hearts of both our staff and judges from the very first chapter. Beautifully written and masterfully crafted, his book stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling rooted in truth, personal growth, and emotional wisdom.

We're honored to sit down with Theodore Adams III, author of The Man Who Owned a Plane—a Gold Positive Impact Award winner. A pilot, engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Ted brings a unique Renaissance perspective to storytelling, exploring themes of legacy, loss, and what it truly means to soar. Thank you, Ted, for taking the time to share your insights with us.

This isn’t just a book — it’s an inheritance of the spirit.

Book Cover of The Man Who Owned a Plane. The cover has a plane and a man in the clouds.

Through a captivating narrative, Adams uncovers life’s most profound truths: that the most valuable legacies we leave behind are not wealth or titles, but the love, resilience, and wisdom we pour into others. His story is a gentle yet powerful reminder of what truly matters.

Each page invites readers into a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. The honesty with which Adams writes struck a chord with everyone who encountered his work. It reminded us that sometimes the quietest stories are the most profound — the ones that stay with you, shape you, and inspire you to live with greater clarity and compassion.

Interview with Theodore Adams III

Q: The Man Who Owned a Plane is being described as a philosophical allegory. What

inspired you to write this story?

A: The inspiration came from reflecting on what we truly inherit from those who came

before us. After experiencing loss in my own life, I began to think deeply about how we

often focus on material inheritances rather than the wisdom, values, and perspectives

that are passed down. Since I am a pilot, the plane became a natural metaphor for

exploring these ideas—something tangible that represents something far more profound.

I wanted to create a story that would help readers navigate their own journeys through

grief and discover the more meaningful legacies we all receive.

Q: The book has been compared to works like The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. Were these influences for you?

A: I’ve certainly been influenced by philosophical allegories throughout my life. What I

admire about books like "The Alchemist" and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" is their ability to

convey profound wisdom through accessible storytelling. While I didn’t set out to

emulate any particular work, I did want to create something that could sit comfortably on

the same shelf— a story using simple narratives to explore complex human experiences. I believe there’s a timeless quality to allegories that allows readers to discover personal meaning regardless of their age, background, or life circumstances.

Q: You have a fascinating background as a pilot, engineer, entrepreneur, and now

author. How have these different aspects of your life influenced the book?

A: Each of these experiences has shaped my perspective in unique ways. As an engineer,

I’m trained to solve problems methodically, but as a pilot, I’ve learned to appreciate the

vastness of the world from 30,000 feet—literally seeing the bigger picture.

Entrepreneurship has taught me about risk, perseverance, and the value of vision. All of

these elements converge in the book. The narrator’s journey reflects my own evolving

understanding that our greatest achievements aren’t necessarily the tangible things we

build or acquire but rather how we learn to see ourselves and our place in the world. The

book is, in many ways, a distillation of lessons learned across these different domains of

my life.

Q: The illustrations by Giorgio Bacchin are stunning. Can you talk about your

collaboration process?

A: Working with Giorgio was truly remarkable. I shared my vision for the book, but I also

wanted him to bring his own artistic interpretation to the story. In our acknowledgments, I

mention how Giorgio not only saw my vision but used his knowledge of classical

literature and philosophy to give each illustration profound meaning. We would have

these wonderful conversations about the symbolism in each scene—the significance of

the clouds, the positioning of the characters, the lighting. Giorgio has this extraordinary

ability to capture emotion and philosophical concepts visually. There were moments

when I saw his illustrations and discovered new layers of meaning in my own story.

Q: The book seems perfectly timed for a world where many people are reevaluating

what’s important in life. Was this intentional?

A: While I didn’t write it specifically for our current moment, I do believe there’s a growing

hunger for meaning and authenticity in our increasingly complex world. Many people are

questioning traditional markers of success and looking for deeper fulfillment. The book

explores what it means to truly “own” your life rather than simply accumulating

possessions or status. I hope it offers readers a moment to reflect on what they’re

pursuing and why. Sometimes the most important journeys are the ones we take within

ourselves.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from “The Man Who Owned a Plane”?

A: More than anything, I hope readers pause to consider what their own “plane” might be

—what gives them the ability to soar in their own unique way. I hope they reflect on the

intangible gifts they’ve received from mentors, parents, teachers, and friends. For those

experiencing loss or navigating through dark valleys of grief, I hope this story offers a

gentle reminder that, even in absence, those we’ve loved continue to fuel our journey.

When we lose someone dear to us, we often focus on the empty space they’ve left

behind, but in time, we begin to recognize how they’ve shaped our wings—through their

wisdom, their love, and even their struggles. Their soul’s journey becomes part of our

own navigation system. In those moments when the skies seem too vast and empty to

traverse alone, my deepest wish is that readers find comfort in knowing that they carry

within them everything they need to continue their flight, including the precious essence

of those who soared before them.

Q: The book is being positioned as a gift item, particularly for graduations,

retirements, and those experiencing life transitions. Why do you think it resonates

with people at these pivotal moments?

A: Life transitions are when we’re most open to new perspectives. Whether it’s a

graduating, retiring, changing careers, or processing grief, these are moments when

we’re naturally reflective and receptive to wisdom. The story works on multiple levels—it

can be read as a simple, touching narrative, but it also invites deeper contemplation

about how we define success, happiness, and purpose. I’ve found that readers bring their

own experiences to the book and find different meanings depending on where they are

in their own journey. That’s the beauty of allegory—it meets you where you are.

Q: You’re described as a “Renaissance Man” with interests spanning science, art,

music, and history. How does this broad perspective inform your writing?

A: I believe that creativity thrives at the intersection of different disciplines. My interest in

diverse fields has helped me see the connections between seemingly unrelated

concepts. In The Man Who Owned a Plane, I wanted to bridge the analytical and the

emotional, the tangible and the spiritual. The Renaissance ideal is about developing

yourself fully as a human being—not just professionally or intellectually, but emotionally

and spiritually as well. That’s ultimately what the book explores: what it means to live a

full and meaningful life, one that embraces both the practical reality of our everyday

existence and the transcendent possibilities of human experience.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of creating this book?

A: The greatest challenge was achieving simplicity without sacrificing depth. I wanted to

create something that could be read in one sitting but contemplated for a lifetime.

Finding that balance required numerous revisions and a willingness to distill complex

ideas into their essence. I was also conscious of avoiding being prescriptive—I wanted to

pose questions rather than impose answers, to create a story that invites readers to

discover their own meaning rather than telling them what to think. That’s a delicate

balance, and I hope readers feel the story respects their intelligence and leaves room for

their own interpretation.

Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?

A: Not really, but in a way, it’s me having a conversation with myself.

Q: Your background includes chairing multiple nonprofit charitable organizations.

Has this philanthropic work influenced your approach to writing?

A: Absolutely. My philanthropic work has consistently reinforced that our greatest impact

often comes through sharing wisdom, creating opportunities, and inspiring others rather

than merely providing material resources. In the nonprofit world, I’ve seen how

empowerment and perspective-shifting can create more sustainable change than

temporary solutions. This philosophy permeates the book—the idea that the most

valuable things we can share aren’t necessarily tangible. The story invites readers to

consider how they might “share their plane” with others, not by giving people things, but

by helping them discover their own capacity to soar.

Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?

A: My most important advice echoes something Stan Lee used to say: “Tell me a story and

make me care.” I’m a firm believer in character-driven storytelling rather than plot-driven

narratives. You can have the most elaborate plot in the world, but if readers don’t connect

emotionally with your characters, none of it matters. In The Man Who Owned a Plane, the

entire story unfolds through a simple conversation between two friends, yet I hope

readers feel deeply invested in both characters. Start with characters who feel real to you

—give them authentic emotions, genuine struggles, and relatable motivations. When you

truly understand your characters’ hearts, their actions will drive your story naturally.

Focus on creating characters who breathe, who have flaws and hopes, and readers will

follow you anywhere if you first make them care about the people taking the journey.

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Thank you, Ted, for this thoughtful and inspiring conversation. Your wisdom and perspective remind us that the most valuable inheritances aren't material...they're the lessons, love, and vision that help us find our own wings.

We're grateful you shared your journey with our readers, and we look forward to seeing how "The Man Who Owned a Plane" continues to touch lives and spark meaningful reflection.