NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut is full of young talented artists, writers, musicians and students. Twenty-two year old author RJ Tolson continues to make strides by inspiring others through his national literacy campaign, and as the CEO of his own multi-divisional company with over 100 employees.
RJ Tolson joined us Saturday on Good Morning Connecticut to share how going to school in Connecticut helped launch his success, and how he hopes to inspire other young talents to follow their dreams.
Click on the video above to watch the full interview. Below is some of what was discussed in the interview:
1. How did you become a writer?
I have always loved to read and write fiction since I was six-years-old. My Mom has some of my early writings (i.e., poems, short stories, etc.) posted on walls and doors at home. The power of word enticed me and I wanted to use writing to connect with others while also bringing my imagination to life.
Actually, I was about thirteen-years-old when I first realized I’d like to pursue writing as a career. At a local mall near the Rectory School in Pomfret, CT, where I was a student, a writing contest was held. I submitted a short story and won the contest. It was exciting because the judge of the contest was JK Rowling’s editor’s publicist. She told me that she was very impressed with my writing and encouraged me to become a writer. The experience had a big impact upon me. Harry Potter series was all the rage and I was a fan of JK Rowling so to receive validation from someone connected to JK Rowling’s team meant the world to me.
Also, I had some excellent English teachers at the Rectory School in Pomfret, CT and Cheshire Academy, who encouraged me to pursue writing and develop my skills. Their encouragement and support meant a great deal and contributed, during my junior year at Cheshire Academy, to my posting chapters of my novel, Zephyr The West Wind, to www.wattpad.com. I quickly developed a large following (in the thousands) on wattpad.com, which caught the attention of my publishers and led to their signing me to a contract.
2. What inspired you to write your first two novels in the Chaos Chronicles Series?
There are many writers who inspired me to write Zephyr The West Wind and Hugh The Southern Flame but at the top of the list are J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, D.J. Machales Pendragon, C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Reading their work and how vividly they convey their stories made me want to do the same. J.K. Rowling’s is especially influential because I am inspired not only by her writing, but her tenacity. She was turned down by numerous publishing houses before she found one. That type of determination is amazing and reminds me of the importance of never giving up.
3. Did attending middle school and high school at CT boarding schools influence your writing?
My experiences in CT greatly influenced my writing. Some of the characters in Zephyr The West Wind are based to an extent upon individuals I knew at the Rectory School in Pomfret and Cheshire Academy in Cheshire. The antagonist inZephyr The West Wind is drawn from experiences at school and one of the cites in my novel is “Cheshria”. As you’ll notice, very similar to Cheshire.
4. Tell me about the NATIONAL campaign you launched (inspiring young people to read, write & participate in community/charity)
Reading and writing have played a pivotal role in my life and development. I see every day how important it is to be able to communicate well and have a strong command of the fundamentals. Dealing often with business associates who are much older than I am, I gain their respect and confidence quickly once I speak and they hear and see I’m a well read, articulate person. If it weren’t for the opportunities and encouragement I received to embrace reading, writing, and expressing myself articulately, I wouldn’t be successful in business and have accomplished what I have. I want other young people to have similar choices and experiences so that their lives can also be fulfilling.
That’s why, in addition to my literacy campaign, I’ve also launched “Project Limitless”. It’s aimed at empowering America’s young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to rise above challenges. My “Project Limitless” is meant to inspire and push people of all ages, especially young people, to innovate and become successful through metaphysics and epistemology.
Concerning charity work, giving back to my community has been a big part of my life since I was little. My parents and maternal grandparents were very active in their communities in CT and did a great deal of charity work to help underprivileged people. I think that had a big impact on me and led to my wanting to start a charity. I see with my charity work what a difference it makes in others’ lives. That’s why I encourage students when I visit schools to participate in community and charity service, and lend a helping hand.
5. Talk about being a 22 year old CEO-are you taken seriously by your peers?
In all honesty, looking back on the journey it feels like it went by way too quickly. I remember coming up with a way to make money using the limited resources I set for myself, and the skills I could use in making my ideas a reality, and then things took off. Now, it wasn’t easy. I learned a lot of my ethics and drive from my Grandfather, a great businessman in his own right. I worked all day, especially during my “free time” during high school, which at that point was hard considering all of my friends had been doing activities. And as I advanced in the business world, I found because of my age, and sometimes my race as well, that people often looked down upon me. Coincidentally, they still do, and from that I learned to take each of those experiences and make it a challenge. From those continuous challenges, I was able to get to where I am now through hard work, hope, and determination.
As far as my peers, I think at times it is difficult for some of them to relate to or grasp what I’m doing, because many have told me that they never really thought they could make any of their dreams come true. Above all, I concentrate on staying focused on my goals regardless of what anyone says or how anyone responds. I try to lead by example with my peers and encourage them to never give up.
Fore more information about RJ Tolson, his books, music, company and national literacy campaign, vist www.RJTolson.com.
