The Changing Shape of Storytelling
Long before pages and screens, stories flickered to life in firelight. Throughout history, our ancestors huddled close, listening as elders spun tales of danger, survival, gods, and ghosts. These oral stories weren’t just entertainment—they were how people made sense of the world, passed on history, and warned of the unknown.
Then, someone decided to write it down.
The earliest known written story is The Epic of Gilgamesh, etched into clay tablets around 2100 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia. A tale of friendship, mortality, and a search for meaning, it remains eerily relevant. And it marked the beginning of something new—stories that could outlive their tellers.
Fast-forward thousands of years, and storytelling continued to evolve. In the 1800s, newspapers became fertile ground for serialized fiction and short stories. Edgar Allan Poe is often credited with popularizing the modern short story—compact, powerful, and designed to leave a lasting impact. He also pioneered the detective genre, laying the groundwork for mysteries we still enjoy today.
As novels gained popularity, long-form storytelling took center stage. Readers wanted to get lost in sprawling plots and richly drawn characters. But even as novels flourished, new formats kept emerging.
In the early 20th century, families gathered not around the fire, but the radio. Serialized radio dramas brought characters to life through dialogue, sound effects, and music. Mystery and suspense shows like The Shadow and Suspense! captivated listeners, proving that audio storytelling could be just as immersive as print.
Today, we find ourselves in another transformation. Podcasts have revived the spirit of radio dramas, often blending fiction with true crime and investigative journalism. Audiobooks allow us to carry entire libraries in our pockets, voiced by narrators who breathe life into characters. And now, interactive novels and choose-your-path mysteries let readers become part of the narrative.
The tools have changed. The formats have multiplied. But the heart of storytelling remains the same: to captivate, to connect, and to uncover truths—sometimes hidden, sometimes haunting.
We mystery lovers know this well. Whether it’s a whispered legend, a yellowed newspaper clipping, or a voice in your earbuds telling you about a body no one was supposed to find, storytelling continues to evolve.
“We tell stories not just for pleasure, but to understand ourselves and the world around us.”
—Unknown
Update: One for Sorrow, a Cody Hart Mystery
The first draft is finished! I’m currently revising it so I can get the manuscript to my editor by mid-July.
Writing this latest novel has been both fun and, at times, challenging. My protagonist, Cody Hart, and I are still getting to know each other. We’re not quite as close as Enid Blackwell and I were—but then again, I spent eight years with Enid, and I’ve known Cody for less than one. Still, I feel our connection deepening with each scene we create together.
One for Sorrow launches a new three-book series. In this first installment, Cody—a special agent with the U.S. Forestry Service (USFS) in New Mexico—is in North Carolina on a personal mission. But while visiting the small mountain town of Raven’s Rest, he becomes entangled in the search for a missing girl and realizes the past isn’t as far behind as he thought.
Regarding the image above, are you curious about the significance of the three feathers? As for what they mean to this story . . . well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
In the meantime, check out the Enid Blackwell Mystery Series—it’s a great beach read! Print books are available anywhere books are sold — ebooks are available exclusively on Amazon.
Let’s Stay in Touch!
We took the summer off from doing festivals and other personal appearances. It’s too hot to be outside in “Famously Hot” South Carolina—and I needed to focus on finishing the latest manuscript. Sometimes the “art” of writing and the “business” of writing are a challenge to juggle, as any writer knows.
But we’ll be busy again in the fall with signings nearly every weekend. You can follow me on Facebook or Instagram where I post upcoming events and other information. Other links can be found at https://linktr.ee/RaeganTeller. So, until we talk again in August, be safe and keep reading!
Warmly,
Raegan