The Beautiful Craft of Story: Dan Harmon’s Story Circle

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into the wild world of storytelling. Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a journey filled with creativity, late nights, and probably a few too many cups of tea (I have a thing about coffee).

But before you start hammering away at your keyboard, there’s one thing you should know: outlining your story is like having a GPS for your writing journey. It helps you stay on track and avoid those pesky plot holes that seem to appear out of nowhere.

As a recovering “pantser” myself, I cannot over-emphasize outlining your story beforehand. It will initially feel tedious, but it will save you many bouts with writer’s block as you write your first draft.

One of the most popular story plotting models out there is Dan Harmon’s story circle. If you’re not familiar with Dan Harmon, he’s the creative mind behind shows like “Community” and “Rick and Morty.” And let me tell you, the man knows how to tell an engaging story.

What is the Story Circle?

The story circle is a simplified version of the Hero’s Journey, a classic story structure that has been used in everything from ancient myths to modern blockbusters. The story circle breaks down the Hero’s Journey into eight key steps:

1. A character is in a zone of comfort
2. But they want something
3. They enter an unfamiliar situation
4. Adapt to it
5. Get what they wanted
6. Pay a heavy price for it
7. Then return to their familiar situation
8. Having changed

These eight steps create a circular pattern that helps you move your hero from order to chaos and back again. It also allows you to structure your story in a way that feels natural and satisfying to the audience.

Comparing the Story Circle to Other Structures:

Now, you might be thinking, “But wait, what about the three-act structure? Isn’t that the go-to for storytelling?” Yes… and no.

The three-act structure is a tried-and-true method for dividing your story into three parts: setup, confrontation, and resolution. It’s like a classic burger—bun, patty, bun—simple, effective, and delicious.

But the story circle takes things a step further by adding more flavor to your storytelling burger. It’s like adding cheese, lettuce, and a secret sauce. The eight steps of the story circle help you create a more dynamic and engaging story that keeps your audience hooked from beginning to end.

Examples in Action:

Now, let’s take a look at some examples of how the story circle has been used in popular books, television shows, and movies.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Book):

• Harry starts in his comfort zone (the Muggle world)
• He wants to find out more about his parents and his place in the world
• Harry enters the unfamiliar world of Hogwarts
• He adapts to magic and makes friends
• Harry gets what he wants by discovering the truth about his parents and stopping Voldemort
• He pays a price by facing danger and losing some of his innocence
• Harry returns to the Muggle world
• He has changed, now aware of his magical abilities and his place in the wizarding world

2. The Lion King (Movie):

• Simba starts in his comfort zone as a carefree prince
• He wants to become king one day
• Next, Simba’s world is turned upside down when his father dies and he’s forced to flee
• So, He adapts to life in the jungle with Timon and Pumbaa
• Simba gets what he wants by returning to Pride Rock and claiming his rightful place as king
• Consequently, he pays a price by having to confront his uncle Scar and the truth about his father’s death
• As a result, Simba returns to his familiar role as king
• Lastly, he has changed, now wiser and more responsible

3. Stranger Things – Season 1 (TV Show)

• – The characters start in their comfort zone of a small, quiet town
• – Next, they want to find their missing friend, Will
• – So, the kids enter the unfamiliar situation of a supernatural mystery involving a parallel universe
• – They adapt to the new reality and learn to work together to save Will
• – Eventually, the friends get what they want by rescuing Will and defeating the Demogorgon
• – However, they pay a price by losing their innocence and realizing that their world is not as safe as they thought
• – Finally, the kids return to their familiar lives, but with the knowledge of the Upside Down looming over them
• – They have changed, now bonded by their shared trauma and ready to face new challenges together

Admittedly, you could apply a three-act, four-act, Save the Cat, or any number of other structure models to these same stories. But hopefully, you can see how the story circle shows up in them, too.

How I’m Using the Story Circle

In working on my current book – for lack of a better title, let’s call it Book the Third in the Pearl Saga series – I’ve found the story circle a help in nailing down my character’s motivations and how they move closer and further from change.

What has been most helpful for me has been using the story circle for my scene-by-scene plotting. Right now, I have several character arcs I’m keeping up with, and focusing a scene on one character’s change at a time has helped me focus my ideas.

Though, what has been hard, is that I tend to be more action/event-oriented, so the story circle has taken a bit more getting used to than I thought.

But, again, I’m working on becoming a better craftsman. So, having more tools at my disposal is good.

Conclusion:

Again, Dan Harmon’s story circle is a powerful tool for any writer looking to create a compelling and engaging story. By following the eight steps of the story circle, you can ensure that your story has a strong structure, dynamic characters, and a satisfying arc.

But remember, the story circle is just one tool in your writing toolbox. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different story structures to find what works best for you and your story.

Most importantly, have fun with it! Writing should be an enjoyable experience, even if it does involve a few late nights and some hair-pulling frustration.

So, go forth, my fellow writers, and conquer the blank page with your newfound knowledge of the story circle. May your stories be filled with adventure, laughter, and maybe even a few tears.

If all else fails, add more explosions. (Disclaimer: Please don’t add explosions to your story unless it makes sense for the plot. Your readers and your editor will thank you.)