Journalist says communities need storytellersTom Hallman Jr. was walking the streets of Seaside talking to people about fallen Sgt. Jason Goodding while other reporters were inside the convention center listening to the governor. His story made the front page of The Oregonian. “We can get… Nov 20 19November 20, 2019Article at The Astorian
When approaching a story, you must play your cards rightAbout a year ago I began playing a card game that offers lessons for reporters and writers. How we approach and structure a story reminds me of how I decide what to bid while playing Pitch. The simple game is similar to poker. You look at the cards,… Oct 08 18October 08, 2018Article at Quill
Bill Hilliard: The man who took a chance on a kid.I learned today that Bill Hilliard, the former editor of The Oregonian, died. It is profound that he died on Martin Luther King Jr. day. When you read about Bill, you’ll understand the symbolism and meaning. But that is part of his story and… Sep 07 17September 07, 2017Article at tomhallman.com
Book covers from another eraBut that’s what I’ve been doing the past year. And I want to share some of them with you. I visit a small bookstore in Portland that sells old books. I’ve been going there for more than 50 years. What I look for now are hardback books – most of them… Jan 16 17January 16, 2017Article at tomhallman.com
“Narrative Sweat & Flow,” Part 4: Tom Hallman Jr. and Chris JonesEditor’s note: The Oregonian’s Simina Mistreanu spoke to seven narrative journalists for her University of Missouri School of Journalism master’s project on longform. Last week, we ran her setup, a piece on the challenges and importance of longform… Dec 10 13December 10, 2013Article at Nieman Storyboard
Pulitzer storyteller Tom Hallman talks new quest for faithOCEAN PARK Tom Hallman, Jr. has spent a lot of time around hospitals during his 35 years as a journalist for the Oregonian newspaper. I would see how surgeons could make peoples lives better. I used to think, What good am I? Im just a writer? he told… Jun 11 12June 11, 2012Article at Chinook Observer
"Why's this so good?" No. 42: Tom Hallman and timeless forgivenessYears ago, the wonderful Walt Harrington came to our newsroom and fired us up. We were at the start of a storytelling revival, trying to find our way back to craft, and Walt’s book “Intimate Journalism” had just been published. In the book, Walt… May 15 12May 15, 2012Article at Nieman Foundation
Decades Later, Man Apologizes To 7th Grade TeacherMELISSA BLOCK, HOST: There's no statute of limitations on a heartfelt apology, even if it's 39 years in coming. That lesson emerges from a beautifully crafted feature story we read in The Oregonian. The writer, Tom Hallman, said this: The beauty of… Apr 26 12April 26, 2012Article at NPR.org
Narrative Writing: Treat all assignments as your ownReporters tend to look at stories in one of two ways: Their story, or one suggested or assigned by the editor. The dance is played out in every newsroom: the editor walking from the city desk, carrying a slip of paper while reporters don’t dare look… May 07 07May 07, 2007Article at Quill
Tell Me A StoryIn the wake of my essay on reading time, I had the moving experience of reading another wonderful newspaper series by Tom Hallman of The Oregonian. The title was “Fighting for Life on Level 3,” a chronicle of the life and death struggles of parents,… Oct 15 03October 15, 2003Article at Poynter
Tom HallmanOn the C-SPAN Networks: Tom Hallman is a Correspondent for the Oregonian, The with two videos in the C-SPAN Video Library; the first appearance was a 1997 Forum. The year with the highest average number of views per program was 2001 with an average… Apr 11 97April 11, 1997Article at C-SPAN
Help a young writer seeking adviceI received an email recently from a young journalist named Mitch Galloway. He’s a senior at Olivet College in Michigan, and he was looking for advice. I asked if he was comfortable if I turned to those who come to my blog. I told him my long-range… Article at tomhallman.com
Childhood: When reading and creating was most pureEach child would get an order form, which we were to take home and check off the books we wanted. A couple weeks later, the books arrived in the classroom. My parents let me order as many books as I wanted. I read them all. These were not famous… Article at tomhallman.com
