By K.P. Wee

(A condensed version of this appeared in the IBBWA newsletter back in August 2024.)

It’s not often that I am asked to share my writing experiences, so when an industry contact recently inquired, I decided to take the opportunity to review and reflect on my writing journey. 

This process of reflection is significant to me, as it allows me to appreciate how far I’ve come and to recognize the challenges I’ve faced along the way. Reflecting on these experiences not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also helps me understand the hurdles and successes that have shaped my career.

Although my current work involves doing play-by-play commentary for minor hockey games and teaching, my journey into writing was quite different from what I am doing now. In the past, I wasn’t very comfortable with public speaking. I often found myself struggling to articulate my thoughts clearly in front of an audience. This discomfort with verbal expression led me to discover a different strength: writing. I realized that I was much better at expressing my thoughts and ideas through the written word. Since I have had a passion for sports since my teenage years, writing about them was both enjoyable and fulfilling. It provided me with a platform to channel my enthusiasm and knowledge into something tangible.

I came to the conclusion early on that I wasn’t adept at debating sports topics with others. Discussions about sports often seemed pointless because I would find myself in heated arguments without convincing the other person or even being able to present my thoughts coherently. This realization made me turn to writing as an alternative. Instead of engaging in often fruitless debates, I chose to write about sports on my own computer. This solitary pursuit allowed me to delve deeply into my interests without the constraints of immediate feedback or opposition. Writing about sports became a more natural and satisfying way for me to engage with my passion.

A significant turning point in my writing journey came when I was inspired by a gap in the literature. I thought, “There are so many books about baseball. I’m sure I can write books too.” This realization stemmed from my frustration that one of my favorite baseball pitchers growing up, Tom Candiotti, was never featured in any of the baseball books I found. Tom, known as the “Candy Man,” had an impressive career despite being undrafted, and was renowned for his mastery of the knuckleball (and curveball). In the late 1990s, he mentioned on his website that he was planning to release a book about the knuckleball—a pitch he excelled at during his remarkable 16-year career.

Unfortunately, that book never materialized. This absence of a comprehensive account of Tom’s career sparked a thought: “Why don’t I write a book about him instead?” Motivated by this idea and fueled by my admiration for Tom’s baseball career, I dedicated years to researching and writing about him. The culmination of this effort was the publication of Tom Candiotti: A Life of Knuckleballs in 2014 by McFarland & Co. 

This achievement was a significant milestone in my writing career. It marked the beginning of a continuous journey in sports writing and opened up new opportunities for me to explore different aspects of the sports world.

After completing the first book, I quickly realized that the writing process was ongoing and involved numerous challenges. The journey, while rewarding, can be quite exhausting. To succeed in writing, you need to be motivated and passionate about what you’re working on. Additionally, finding time to write amidst various life responsibilities is crucial. Balancing writing with other commitments, such as work and personal life, can be demanding, and maintaining motivation is essential for progress.

Many people might assume that the COVID-19 pandemic was the ideal time for writers because everyone was at home with ample time to focus on their writing projects. For me, however, it was quite the opposite. Prior to the pandemic, I often found myself writing in local coffee shops, where the bustling environment provided a different kind of inspiration. Seeing university and college students working on their school projects in these coffee shops became a source of motivation for me. I felt a strong desire to produce outstanding work that would surpass the quality of their business or science projects. Their presence, even though I never interacted with them directly, was enough to push me to improve my writing and strive for excellence.

When COVID-19 disrupted all my routines, I struggled to stay focused and maintain productivity. To overcome this challenge, I developed a strategy to keep myself engaged with my writing. I downloaded numerous MLB Network documentaries and NFL Top 10 videos from YouTube and played them on a continuous loop while working. This approach helped me stay connected to the sports world and provided a backdrop of inspiration, particularly when I was finishing my book about Barry Bonds. The repetitive viewing of these videos kept me motivated and engaged, allowing me to make steady progress on my writing projects.

Another significant challenge in writing sports books is finding appropriate photos. Many readers may not realize the difficulties involved in securing high-quality images for publication. When pitching my books to publishers such as McFarland & Co. and Rowman & Littlefield, I was informed that I would need to find and pay for the photos myself. While Rowman & Littlefield covered the cost of the cover photo for The 1988 Dodgers: Reliving the Championship Season, I was responsible for securing and financing the interior photos. This aspect of the publishing process added another layer of complexity to the writing journey.

When approaching different major-league teams, I found that not every club handled photo requests the same way. There was one particular major-league team that charged exorbitant fees for photo usage—I was quoted a price of thousands of dollars per image, which was well beyond my budget. So, I declined. On the other hand, some teams provided photos for free, as long as I gave proper credit. Unfortunately, there were also teams that did not respond to my requests at all. This variability in how teams handle photo requests created additional hurdles in the publication process.

Here’s yet another example of the challenge of obtaining photos that is often not apparent to readers. I once approached a freelance photographer about photo fees, but his response was snotty and condescending. His attitude discouraged me from pursuing this option further. 

So, for those who are unaware, securing photos for a sports book often involves navigating a complex web of permissions, fees, and varying levels of cooperation from different organizations.

There are also times when expected sources for photos don’t have what you need. For instance, while writing The End of the Montreal Jinx—a book about the NHL rivalry between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens from 1988 to 1994—I contacted the Hockey Hall of Fame for photos of these teams from the 1990s. However, they were in the process of transferring their archives and couldn’t provide the images I required. As a result, I had to rely on photos from the 1970s and random images from the 1980s and 1990s sourced from a collector who had the rights to those photos. Although this solution worked to some extent, it was not ideal. Later, after the book was published, I found the photos I needed on the Hall of Fame’s website, but it was too late to make any changes.

Support, or the lack thereof, can also be a challenge in the writing process. When discussing my work with others, I sometimes encounter dismissive responses. For example, when I mentioned to a “friend” that I was writing about the 1993 Montreal Canadiens to mark the 25th anniversary of their last championship, the response was a patronizing “So what?” as if to imply, “And? It’s a dumb idea.” Such reactions can be disheartening and demotivating. When I attempted to defend my work and explain its significance, the “friend” was offended and distanced himself from me. Another time, a boss asked me what I was working on. I mentioned the inspirational story about Candiotti’s being the second player ever to come back from Tommy John surgery—which again drew a patronizing “So what?” 

These experiences highlight the challenges of seeking validation and support for creative endeavors.

Occasionally, a “friend” might ask in a condescending manner, “How much money can you make from THIS?” I find that questioning someone’s income or the financial aspects of their creative pursuits is impolite. Yet, it is a question I encounter from time to time. I am tempted to respond with, “And how much money do you make from smoking marijuana, drinking, and pursuing your other harmful and addictive hobbies?” but I refrain from doing so. Such questions reveal a lack of understanding and respect for the value of creative work.

These experiences are all part of the journey. They highlight the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing a passion for writing. This account represents just the first part of many stories I have to share about my writing journey. I look forward to providing more insights and reflections in the future, as I continue to navigate the ups and downs of being a writer in the world of sports.