A chat with author, alumnus Chris Colston: Part II

Wednesday, June, 23, 2010; 4:53 PM | 30 | | Print

Share


TOPICS: book review football

Last week, Virginia Tech alumnus Chris Colston, formerly of USA Today, took some time out to discuss his forthcoming book, The Hokie Annual.

He discussed his departure from USA Today, how the book came about and a little bit about what the 100-plus-page Annual would offer readers when it hits shelves in July.

This week, he offers more details about the project.

Colston received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Tech in 1980.

An 11-year veteran of the Tech athletics department as editor of The Hokie Huddler, Colston has written four books on Tech football, including Frank Beamer’s autobiography Turn Up the Wick (2000).

For nearly three years at USA Today, Colston covered the NFL and NBA and won several writing awards, including first-place in the Pro Football Writers of America national writing contest.

From 1996-2005, he served as a writer and editor for USA Today Sports Weekly, where his work was mentioned in the Best American Sports Writing series.

Look for The Hokie Annual at the University Bookstore after July 4.

 

COLLEGIATE TIMES: How long did the reporting aspect of this process take?

COLSTON: Oh my goodness. Before the process, it was probably December 1 when I got laid off. So, you go through that initial process of saying, “Well, let me see if I can get another job with somebody.” And then you just realize, if I form my own company and do this, this could be as lucrative if not more, if all things go well.

You know how you make your  January resolutions? I just decided — OK, I’m going to take a leap of faith. I’m going forward, and this is what we’re going to do. So, it started in January and we just wrapped it up and I sent the final proofs the other day.

That was five months, but you’re talking 12 hours every day — never taking a day off. That sounds grueling, but I’m telling you, this is not just a line. I loved writing about Tech football and doing this so much, I never got burnt out. You think about the 10 to 12 hours every day, driving down to Blacksburg.

Just to produce a single article, you’ve got to know your subject. You’ve got to do your background before you interview them, come up with your questions, interview them and then you’ve got to transcribe it. And then you’ve got to put it together and write it coherently, so the writing alone was a tremendous job and with the business end on top of it, you really had to multi-task.

Meeting with designers, researching and comparing prices on printers, forming a company — all these things that you don’t realize you have to do until you have to do it.

 

CT: Going from writing for a newspaper to writing a book, how different was your approach?

COLSTON: You know, there are so many diverse sections to the book.

When I was interviewing Bryan (Stinespring) and Coach (Frank) Beamer, I was very much by-the-book and professional. When I was doing the lead-ins to the position-by-position breakdowns, it was very reportorial and very information-driven. When I was doing player profiles, it was very much information-driven but with a light touch, and I would take my shots. If I saw an opening to be light-hearted and a little entertaining, I would take it, but it wasn’t a pervasive thing.

People aren’t reading this to see how clever Chris Colston is. They are reading this to get information on Virginia Tech football. So every time I tried to do something, it was in that vein. I tried to take a blog-approach to some of this, which is different from print… I tried to take the conversational approach.

If you and I went out for a beer and we were talking Hokie football — that was the overall tone I was trying to capture.

CT: How was the transition from one day interviewing professional basketball players at the NBA Finals to the next, coming back to Blacksburg to interview student athletes?

COLSTON: I mean… it is so different.

Continue Reading: 12 Next » 

A version of this article appeared in the Jun 24 issue of the Collegiate Times.

Leave a comment 30 Comments Write a letter to the editor

Dave | # June 25, 2010 @ 1:46 PM — Flag Comment

How does Chris Colston write Frank Beamer's AUTObiography?

Reply to this Top


Anonymous | # June 27, 2010 @ 3:49 PM — Flag Comment

...by being a ghostwriter. Almost every book you read that's "written" by a celebrity was actually written by someone else.

Reply to this Top


north face outlet | # November 4, 2012 @ 10:17 PM — Flag Comment

The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
north face outlet http://daecacvu3793.wix.com/prcyurupqv

Reply to this Top


moncler outlet store | # December 9, 2012 @ 5:25 AM — Flag Comment

the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) entire mission, Allah, Most High, in order to annihilate them, made their very plans and efforts work against them. As such, as the birds
moncler outlet store http://www.moncleroutletstore.eu/

Reply to this Top


moncler outlet sale | # January 5, 2013 @ 5:14 PM — Flag Comment

Thank you incredibly substantially for your exciting text. I have been looking for these types of message to get a definitely very long time. Thank you.
moncler outlet sale http://www.2013moncleroutletsale.com

Reply to this Top


kid -ugg -boots | # January 6, 2013 @ 9:08 PM — Flag Comment

This is one awesome blog.Really thank you! Great.
kid -ugg -boots http://www.uggboots5815sale.com/kid-ugg-boots-c-21.html

Reply to this Top


kids nike shox r4 | # January 7, 2013 @ 3:26 PM — Flag Comment

Adding this to twitter great info.
kids nike shox r4 http://www.2013nikeshoxnz.com/kids-nike-shox-r4-c-31_51.html

Reply to this Top


wow gold | # January 13, 2013 @ 5:58 AM — Flag Comment

Ridiculous quest there. What happened after? Thanks!
wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


buy wow gold | # January 14, 2013 @ 8:43 AM — Flag Comment

Of course, what a splendid blog and instructive posts, I definitely will bookmark your blog.Best Regards!
buy wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


wow gold | # January 15, 2013 @ 12:31 AM — Flag Comment

As a Newbie, I am always exploring online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


wow gold | # January 17, 2013 @ 3:33 PM — Flag Comment

Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really recognise what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my web site =). We could have a hyperlink change contract between us!
wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


buy wow gold | # January 18, 2013 @ 8:24 AM — Flag Comment

I precisely desired to say thanks again. I do not know the things that I would have made to happen in the absence of the actual basics shared by you relating to my topic. It previously was a very frightening matter in my opinion, but discovering a new skilled manner you dealt with that took me to weep with happiness. I'm happy for the service and trust you really know what an amazing job you are always putting in educating the others through a web site. I know that you haven't got to know all of us.
buy wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


wow gold | # January 18, 2013 @ 11:35 PM — Flag Comment

Hello, I just wanted to tell you, you're dead wrong. Your article doesn't make any sense.
wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


buy wow gold | # January 19, 2013 @ 11:04 PM — Flag Comment

Highly energetic post, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be a part 2?
buy wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com/

Reply to this Top


tiny prints coupon code | # May 10, 2013 @ 9:02 AM — Flag Comment

hi Nice site tiny prints coupon code http://www.prweb.com/releases/tiny-prints-coupon/code/prweb10677394.htm

Reply to this Top


akb48 | # May 21, 2013 @ 10:03 PM — Flag Comment

I wanted to put you that tiny observation to finally thank you over again relating to the exceptional principles you have featured on this site. It is extremely open-handed with people like you to grant extensively precisely what most of us could have made available for an e-book to end up making some cash for their own end, and in particular considering the fact that you could possibly have tried it if you ever decided. Those good tips likewise served to be the good way to fully grasp most people have similar passion the same as my very own to know more with regard to this matter. Certainly there are lots of more pleasant periods in the future for individuals that scan your website. akb48 http://www.uonobu.co.jp/shop/akb48.html

Reply to this Top


Zoey | # May 26, 2013 @ 1:49 PM — Flag Comment

Beta hai ragione funziona con il programma di Softonic Zoey http://www.jukeboxalive.com/blog.php?blog_id=10147295

Reply to this Top


Olivia | # May 30, 2013 @ 3:08 AM — Flag Comment

Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work! Olivia http://eveulicnsigler.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/celebs-and-heel-lifts.html

Reply to this Top


Bert | # May 31, 2013 @ 2:15 AM — Flag Comment

Amazing things here. I’m very satisfied to see your post. Thank you a lot and I am taking a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail? Bert http://combat-foot-pain.weebly.com/blog.html

Reply to this Top


Noah | # May 31, 2013 @ 5:04 AM — Flag Comment

Great points once and for all, you only gained a whole new reader. Do you might have any feedback on your most latest post even though? Noah http://www.blurty.com/talkread.bml?journal=taller&itemid=316

Reply to this Top


Wills | # May 31, 2013 @ 11:37 AM — Flag Comment

Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told used to be a amusement account it. Glance advanced to far introduced agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in touch? Wills http://tammywalsh.typepad.com

Reply to this Top


Lucas | # May 31, 2013 @ 12:47 PM — Flag Comment

Really enjoyed this blog article.Thanks Again. Fantastic. Lucas http://stefania3083.classtell.com/boxingandshoelifts/

Reply to this Top


Lady Heels | # June 1, 2013 @ 5:00 AM — Flag Comment

Very neat blog.Much thanks again. Lady Heels http://marlinbyrd716.newsvine.com/_news/2012/01/09/10082724-why-should-people-have-foot-pain

Reply to this Top


heel spur pads | # June 3, 2013 @ 5:19 AM — Flag Comment

I’ve been recently wondering about the identical point myself lately. Delighted to see an individual on the same wavelength! Nice article. heel spur pads http://www.deelsonheels.com/$1399__Heel_Cups__Gel_Heel_Pads/p133745_603308.aspx

Reply to this Top


windows8 購入 | # June 4, 2013 @ 3:32 AM — Flag Comment

Wonderful paintings! That is the kind of info that should be shared across the web. Disgrace on the search engines for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thank you =) windows8 購入 http://artenfant.com/shop/win8.html

Reply to this Top


ルイヴィトン 財布 | # June 4, 2013 @ 11:09 AM — Flag Comment

Absolutely indited content, thank you for information. "The last time I saw him he was walking down Lover's Lane holding his own hand." by Fred Allen. ルイヴィトン 財布 http://www.tonpo-center.net/shinsailQA.htm

Reply to this Top


テーラーメイド R9 | # June 4, 2013 @ 6:07 PM — Flag Comment

I've been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before. テーラーメイド R9 http://artenfant.com/shop/taylormade.html

Reply to this Top


テーラーメイド ロケットボールズ フェアウェイウッド | # June 5, 2013 @ 6:01 PM — Flag Comment

I think you have observed some very interesting points , appreciate it for the post. テーラーメイド ロケットボールズ フェアウェイウッド http://burgmancat.com/shop/taylormade.html

Reply to this Top


ルイヴィトン 激安 | # June 6, 2013 @ 12:10 PM — Flag Comment

I got what you intend, appreciate it for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google. "I would rather be a coward than brave because people hurt you when you are brave." by E. M. Forster. ルイヴィトン 激安 http://www.tonpo-center.net/shinsailQA.htm

Reply to this Top


windows 7 プロダクトキー | # June 6, 2013 @ 1:28 PM — Flag Comment

I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike. windows 7 プロダクトキー http://win7key.over-blog.com/

Reply to this Top