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.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift

39:15 – What We're Listening To