Inside the Press Box: Thom Loverro

Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find the complete log on the right sidebar. Today's thirteenth installment: Washington Times columnist and book author Thom Loverro.

1. Please describe how you come up with column ideas and how many columns you typically write in a week.

I write anywhere from two-to-four columns a week, depending on events. I write more columns during baseball season, because I would say about 65 percent of the columns I write are about baseball, since that is my strength. I figure about 25 percent are Capitals columns and the rest are on a variety of subjects.

Many of my columns are dictated by the events I attend. But when I am coming up with an idea, the key is listening to what people say. It seems simple, but pay close attention to what a coach or player says in an interview. Much of it may seem like standard answers, but usually in there is a column subject -- a pattern within the team, an issue, a reason for success -- that is worth examining.

Also, I like looking around and paying close attention to my surroundings to see if there is any little unique part of those surroundings -- a fan sign, an advertisement, anything -- that might have a connection to a column idea and be a good way to lead it off. It really is simply listening and observing, and being able to recognize ideas from those.

2. Writing a book must be quite the undertaking. Please take the readers through the process from concept to publishing.

It is just like any other craft. That is what writing is -- a craft, not an art. You have different tools to use, one of which is time, and you have to use them the best you can. Sometimes my books are my ideas, sometimes a publisher will come to my agent with a book idea and he will recommend me. Then I have to put together a proposal for the book -- what will be in it, chapter breakdowns, reasons why I can do it -- that is usually about 40-pages long, and sometimes includes a sample chapter.

From there, the agent negotiates a deal with the publisher and then I proceed with the book. I make up a list of people to interview. The key is time and making use of it. You have to force yourself every day, no matter how tired you are, to go into that office and work on the book a certain about of time. I would usually try to put in four hours a day, but even if it is just a half hour, it keeps you in touch with the book and doesn't let it get away from you with a deadline approaching.

3. Which of your 11 books stood out the most and are there others in the works?

"Hail Victory: An Oral History of the Washington Redskins" is probably my favorite, because I got to interview so many great players from the past, and because people seemed to enjoy it so much, from the feedback I received.

My second favorite is "Oriole Magic: The O's of 1983" about the last World Series championship the Orioles won. I have no rooting interest in the Orioles whatsoever, but again, I enjoyed the history of it and the interviews, and really it was the end of what was a great era for baseball -- the player development era, from 1966 to 1983 (though now it is back again; look at the Tampa Bay Rays).

4. What's your favorite hockey-related moment(s)?

When the Capitals won the Eastern Conference championship with the overtime goal by Joe Juneau in game six in 1998 in Buffalo. I was there covering it, and it was an electric moment. It was a colorful, interesting team, and Coach Ron Wilson was also interesting to cover -- the whole wicked witch of the west thing and going to get the broom and all the metaphors he would use.

5. What occupies your time when you're not working?

I know this sounds like a cliche, but this ain't work. I am doing what I wanted to do since I was 10-years-old, growing up in Brooklyn, reading Dick Young in the Daily News. I am very fortunate and appreciative of being a sports columnist.