In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emily McKay dive deep into the concept of circular storytelling, a technique that seeds an element at the beginning of a story and revisits it at the end to represent a character’s emotional journey. They explore how Taylor Swift masterfully employs this technique in her songs, using examples like the iconic scarf in "All Too Well" and the house in "The Last Great American Dynasty."

Morgana and Emily discuss how circular storytelling can be a powerful tool for authors, especially in romance novels, to create emotional resonance and give readers a sense of satisfaction and cleverness. They also share tips for writers on how to effectively integrate circular elements in their stories, emphasizing the importance of trusting the story’s natural flow, layering key elements throughout the narrative, and introducing settings through a character’s perspective.

Throughout the episode, they draw parallels between Swift’s storytelling methods and other literary works, such as Lord of the Rings, and highlight how circular storytelling is also used in comedy and sitcoms. The conversation is enriched with insights from Morgana and Emily’s personal writing experiences, offering listeners practical advice on how to enhance their own storytelling techniques.

Key Takeaways:

Circular storytelling involves planting a significant detail at the story’s beginning that is revisited at the end, often mirroring the character’s emotional journey.
Taylor Swift uses circular storytelling in her songs to create deeper narrative layers, as seen in "All Too Well" and "The Last Great American Dynasty."
This technique can be particularly effective in romance novels, enhancing emotional impact and making readers feel clever for noticing recurring themes or objects.
Authors should trust the natural progression of their story, layer in key elements from the beginning, and consider how settings can contribute to narrative closure.
Viewing a place through the eyes of a character who loves it can help to create a strong connection with readers and deepen the impact of circular storytelling.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift
01:22 – Exploring Circular Storytelling
03:41 – Lord of the Rings: A Case Study
10:10 – Taylor Swift’s Mastery of Circular Storytelling
19:09 – Comedy and Circular Storytelling
22:38 – Analyzing Song Narrative Structures
23:31 – Circular vs. Linear Storytelling
23:57 – Villain or Hero?
24:40 – Incorporating Circular Storytelling in Romance Books
29:04 – Trusting the Story
29:45 – Tips for Circular Storytelling
32:06 – Creating a Believable Setting
33:20 – The Importance of Character Perspective
38:35 – Final Thoughts on Circular Storytelling

39:15 – What We're Listening To