Time Loops
Most people would love to have a do-over at some point in their lives. Using a time loop trope is one way to experience that in fiction. This trope works especially well if you enjoy writing stories with a strong focus on character development.
There are a few versions of the time loop trope, but my favorite is the one used in the movie Groundhog Day. In this version, a character is stuck in a period of time that repeats over and over. They usually remain trapped until some issue in their life is resolved and they achieve personal growth. One of the earliest uses of this trope was in the 1965 Japanese science fiction novel The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui. Since then, it has appeared in countless movies, novels, and TV series. Examples include:
- Feel Good to Die (webtoon and K-drama)
- Groundhog Day (movie)
- In a Holidaze (romance novel)
- Happy Death Day (movie)
- Russian Doll (TV series)
- A Week of Mondays (YA novel)
- Palm Springs (movie)
The loop
The focus for your character should be how to escape the time loop rather than discovering the reason it occurred. Don’t worry about readers demanding an explanation—because it’s such an established trope, most understand that the “why” matters less than the “how.”
Decide how you want to reset the loop. Some stories restart the day each time the character dies, feels stressed, or falls asleep. It should be something the character can’t fully control, although they may at times choose to end the day early.
Once your protagonist has solved their main problem and learned about themselves, the loop can end. You don’t need lengthy explanations here either—again, readers will accept this without question.
Characters
Stories that use the time loop work best when the protagonist has flaws. This doesn’t mean your protagonist has to be unpleasant. They might be someone easily manipulated or lacking in confidence. The loop gives them the chance to grow, even if they resist this growth at first.
For example, in the movie Edge of Tomorrow, the main character, Cage, is a coward who avoids combat. The time loop forces him to change, and he ultimately saves the world from alien invaders. Of course, your protagonist doesn’t need to become a super-soldier, but you should decide what you want them to achieve and what kind of person they should be by the end.
Setting
Spend time developing your setting, since it will stay consistent throughout the story. Even if your character travels, once the loop resets, they return to where they began. Unless the loop covers a longer period, they won’t be able to go far.
There are two ways to present your protagonist’s world:
- Pre-loop setup – Show them dealing with various problems and interacting with characters who will reappear in later loops.
- In-loop introduction – Drop your readers straight into the time loop, as in the movie Palm Springs, where Nyles has already spent considerable time reliving the same day.
Whichever approach you choose, make sure enough happens that readers don’t feel stuck in a repetitive cycle themselves. Introduce new characters and events each time the loop resets, and have your protagonist try different solutions—the biggest challenge being how to end the loop.
Final thoughts
The time loop is a satisfying trope because readers experience a do-over alongside your protagonist. They also witness a flawed character learning and developing as they face their problems. By the time the story ends, the person they started as has become someone stronger and more prepared to face the world.
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