Time Loops

ByKerry Murphy

A time loop is when a character becomes stuck reliving the same period of time, again and again. It could be a single day, a week, or even longer, but the defining feature is repetition. The loop continues until the character changes in some essential way, usually by solving a personal issue or growing emotionally.

Examples

  • Groundhog Day (movie)
  • Feel Good to Die (webtoon and K-drama)
  • In a Holidaze (romance novel)
  • Russian Doll (TV series).
  • The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (novel)
  • Edge of Tomorrow (movie)

the loop

There are two main ways to begin a time loop story:

  1. Pre-Loop Setup
    Start with your character before the loop begins. This gives you a chance to show who they are, what problems they face, and how they interact with others. These early scenes will feel different when revisited during later loops.
  2. Already in the Loop
    Begin with the character already reliving the same day. This approach creates intrigue as readers discover what’s going on alongside the story’s unfolding. Palm Springs is a great example of this.

Setting

Since your protagonist is going to be stuck in the same space and timeframe, your setting matters. Even if your character travels during the loop, they’ll always be reset to the same starting point. This usually means the loop covers a small physical area—like a town, workplace, or military base. Layer your world with side characters, locations, and little details that can change over time as your protagonist interacts differently with them. .

Protagonist

Time loop stories work best when your main character is flawed. This doesn’t mean they have to be a terrible person. They might lack confidence, be easily manipulated, or avoid responsibility. The key is that they have something to learn.

  • Who are they when the story starts?
  • Who will they be by the end?

The Reset

There are a few ways to reset the loop but usually the reset is largely out of your character’s control. Some stories allow the character to learn how to trigger the reset intentionally, but it shouldn’t be something they can avoid altogether.

  • The character dies.
  • They fall asleep.
  • They feel extreme stress or despair.

emotional growth

How the loop works or why it started isn’t as important as how it will effect your protagonist. They’re in the loop because they need to learn something important about themselves. The loop ends when your character has solved their core problem or changed in some fundamental way.

Keep It Fresh

One challenge with this trope is repetition. Even if your character is stuck, your reader shouldn’t feel like they are experiencing the same scene again and again, with little or no change. Give your character space to experiment, fail, and try again.

  • Introduce new side characters or events each time.
  • Let the protagonist try new solutions to the same problem.
  • Change the tone—from comedic to serious, or hopeful to tense.

final thoughts

The time loop trope is deeply satisfying because it combines an interesting plot and personal growth. Readers love seeing a flawed character overcome conflict and become a better version of themselves, even if they have to go through the same events, time and time, and time again.