The Story Circle, by
Dan Harmon, is a storytelling framework to help writers outline their stories. This circle guides you how to create meaningful stories which utilises and focuses on
change and the development of the protagonist(s).
To read this guide, read the sections below in a counter-clockwise 'loop' or follow the numbers to gain the correct order of the circle. There is an image in the Links and Resources section, for reference.
1. You
Begin with the Protagonists (as there can be more than one) and, not only write about who they are, but describe them in their 'comfort zone'. Their comfort zone is their way of normal; whatever their lifestyle is before they are driven to do something.
Who is the story about?
Do they have any quirks?
What makes them different?
8. Change
They've arrived home, but it feels different. Perhaps their home or the world has changed or even the protagonists have changed. Either way it is this change which wraps up the story.
What has changed?
What is the impact of the change on the protagonist?
Was the change for good or did it make things worse?
2. Need
The protagonist needs something. Whether it's a basic survival need, or something they want so bad they need it. This could also be some deep need within themselves, or some kind of need which is external; perhaps justice, freedom or peace. Whatever it is, they need it.
What do they (the Protagonist) need?
Why do they need it so badly?
7. Return
The protagonists begin their journey home; after the turmoil of searching, the triumph of finding what they sought out they needed; only to return home once again, after taking the journey's toll.
What lessons have the protagonists learned?
What have they gained and lost?
3. Go
This is where the protagonist(s) spring into action and heads out to get what they need. Sometimes people need some motivation, or push, to get out of their comfort zone and do what they need to do.
How do they go to get what they need?
What motivates them to head out?
6. Take
Once found, they take what they needed; however this comes at a cost. This cost can range from a minor setback, or perhaps an even greater loss. Perhaps taking what they needed cost them a lot of valuable resources, or perhaps something else which money cannot buy.
What was the loss?
How did they lose it?
What does this loss mean to the protagonist?
Why is this loss important?
4. Search
The protagonists have set out to seek what they need, however this might not be an easy task. Here is where you challenge your protagonists for them to overcome.
Where do they go to find what they're looking for?
What obstacles are making this difficult?
5. Find
Here, the protagonists finds what they're looking for. Indeed, that might be what they needed; however, finding what they needed was just half of the battle. Perhaps what they find turns out it isn't what they thought it would be; and for whatever reason the protagonists' needs have changed.
How do they find what they were searching for?
Is it something they expected it was? If not, what changed?
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