Let’s take a little trip back in time:
- The first sign of writing we have dates back to 3000-3500 BC with the cuneiform system. This was most likely invented by the Sumerians in what is now Southern Iraq.
- The oldest story we have a record of is The Epic of Gilgamesh in 2000 BC. It is a loosely based historical account of King Gilgamesh, the ruler of Sumerian Uruk around 2700 BC, in the form of an epic poem.
- The most famous book in the world, the Bible, was begun around 1450 BC by Moses. The Bible is a series of books written in the form of stories, poems, and proverbs.
- But before anything was ever written, stories were told orally. People have passed down the stories of their ancestors since the beginning of the world. Stories have been a foundation of how we learn.
Why the history lesson?
From the beginning of human life till now, storytelling has not faded. It has continued to grow in writing and has spread its wings to include forms such as the stage, radio, audiobooks, video games, and films.
So why have stories lasted so long?
Something to Learn
Stories have the unique ability to share factual knowledge with human experience. In our day, we often take stories as purely a form of entertainment. Yet in everything we read and watch, there is something to be learned.
Whether we are aware of it or not, every story we consume makes an impact on us. We naturally pick up on plots and basic themes, and we make conclusions on what we thought of a story.
Therefore, if we accepted stories as more than entertainment and invested in analyzing one, we would open up a whole new world.
Deep Reading
In reading a book, there is reading to figure out what will happen next, and then there is deep reading.
Deep reading is analyzing the characters, thinking about the themes, and reflecting on how they make you feel. It is noting the writing style, savoring that beautifully written sentence, and seeing beyond the story into the author.
Riding along with a story is perfect when what you want is restful enjoyment, but reading deep into the pages of this art brings a deeper fulfillment than you can imagine.
It brings change. It widens your mind to consider new ideas, and teaches you lessons about life. It exercises your skills to analyze a worldview and decide if you agree with it or not.
It compels you to contemplate life in a way you are rarely provoked to do.
A Whole New World
Stories prompt you to analyze life. Whether the story you are reading is great or horrible, there is something to be learned about life in each one.
Reading deeply gives you a secret door into both the dark and beautiful places of life. If you are willing to put in the effort, a whole new world awaits you.
Now, let you senses come alive and your imagination transport you to another place, a place not so different from your world as you might think.
Action Step:
The next time you’re reading a novel, begin to think about the themes, characters, and sentences.
Resources you may like:
Art of Reading, Professor Timothy Spurgin, Ph.D.
Photo Credit: tortuequirit Flickr via Compfight cc
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S.J. Siedenburg is a thriller & fantasy novelist, an editor, and a bibliophile with a passion for stories and helping writers finish their novels. She’s the author of the guidebooks Character Presentation, Before the First Draft, and the How to Write a Novel online course. Six of her short stories have been published through writing contests. Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” —John 1:5