The following is derived from Dan Harmon’s Story Circle. Below, the  “Circle” is applied to the book “Carrie” by Stephen King.

Note: I’ve added a 9th TWIST to the Story Circle, 3 Act Outline, and Scene-by-Scene.

CARRIE, Story Circle:

1. A Character’s Zone of Comfort or Familiarity:
   • Carrie White is a shy, awkward teenager living under the control of her fanatically religious mother and bullied by her peers at school.
2. They Desire / Want Something:
   • Carrie just wants to be accepted—socially and emotionally. She yearns for normalcy and the simple experience of being liked.
3. They Enter an Unfamiliar Situation:
   • After a traumatic gym shower incident, Carrie begins to discover and develop telekinetic powers. Meanwhile, Sue Snell arranges for Tommy Ross to take Carrie to prom as a gesture of kindness.
4. They Adapt to the Situation:
   • Carrie cautiously embraces the opportunity. She defies her mother, makes herself a dress, and begins to feel hope as she prepares for prom.
5. Character Gets what they wanted but…
   • Carrie experiences a brief moment of joy and normalcy at prom. She dances, is crowned prom queen, and feels accepted—until a cruel prank drenches her in pig’s blood.
6. They Pay a Heavy Price for It:
   • Humiliated and emotionally shattered, Carrie unleashes her telekinetic powers in a violent outburst, destroying the school and killing many classmates and staff.
7. Returning to Their Familiar Situation:
   • Carrie returns home, emotionally broken, to confront her mother. The house becomes the final battleground between them.
8. New Normal – Changes as a Result of the Journey:
   • Carrie dies, but not before realizing the truth about herself, her mother, and the world’s cruelty. The town is left scarred, and survivors—like Sue Snell—are haunted by guilt and trauma.
9. TWIST
   • Sue dreams about visiting Carrie’s grave.
   • A bloodied hand bursts through the ground, grabbing her.
   • She wakes up screaming, unsure if it was just a nightmare… or something more..

The Three Act Outline

From this Basic “outline” you can flesh out the story. Understand that your wheel points will vary, and the transitions between each point will blend or mesh together. Applied to the 3 Act outline:

• Act 1: Points 1, 2 (~25%)
• Act 2: Points 3, 4, 5, 6 (~50% or more)
• Act 3: Points 7, 8 (~25% or less)
• TWIST

Act 1 (Points 1-2):

• Introduction: Carrie lives a repressed life, isolated at school and at home.
• Trigger: After her first period at school and being mocked by classmates, Carrie’s powers begin to emerge.
• New Situation: Sue arranges for Tommy to take Carrie to prom to make amends.

Act 2 (Points 3-6):

• First Half: Carrie experiments with her powers and prepares for prom, while facing opposition from her mother.
• Midpoint: At prom, she experiences genuine happiness for the first time.
• Second Half: The prank is sprung. Carrie snaps and unleashes devastation.

Act 3 (Points 7-8):

• Climax: Carrie returns home and kills her mother in self-defense.
• Resolution: Carrie dies from her wounds. Sue, the only major survivor, is left changed forever.
• Twist: Carrie reaches from the grave in Sue’s dream (or was it?)

Story Circle: Scene-by-Scene

1. OPENING: Life at Home and School

1. Carrie is bullied at school and abused at home.
2. The shower scene triggers Carrie’s powers.
3. She begins to question everything she’s known.

2. Glimmer of Hope (DESIRE / WANT)

1. Sue Snell feels guilty and wants redemption
2. Sue asks her boyfriend Tommy to invite Carrie to prom
3. Carrie begins to hope and dreams of fitting in.

3. Powers and Possibility (UNFAMILIAR SITUATION)

1. Accepts Tommy’s invitation
2. Carrie’s mother forbids her from going
3. Carrie discovers and practices her telekinetic powers
4. Stands up to her mother for the first time
5. Sews her own dress and prepares for prom

4. The Prom (ADAPT)

1. Carrie attends prom with Tommy
2. Begins to feel accepted and joyful
3. Dances, socializes, and gains confidence
4. Crowd votes Carrie and Tommy prom queen and king

5. The Prank (WANT ACHIEVED)

1. Carrie stands on stage, crowned prom queen
2. A bucket of pig’s blood is dumped on her
3. The crowd gasps and laughs
4. Carrie is humiliated and devastated

6.The Massacre (PAY A HEAVY PRICE)

1. Carrie unleashes her telekinetic powers
2. Locks the doors and sets the gym on fire
3. Kills most of the students and teachers
4. Destroys parts of the town as she walks home

7. The Final Confrontation (RETURN TO FAMILIAR)

1. Carrie returns home
2. Her mother believes she’s possessed
3. Her mother attacks Carrie
4. Carrie kills her mother, in self-defense, using her powers

8. Carrie’s Death (NEW NORMAL)

1. Carrie dies in Sue’s arms.
2. Sue testifies before a commission investigating telekinesis.
3. Scientists publish studies warning others like Carrie may exist.
4. Sue is emotionally shattered, left with a vision of Carrie’s pain and loneliness.

8. TWIST

1. Sue “dreams” of visiting Carrie’s grave
2. A bloody hand grabs Sues arm
3. Sue wakes screaming (was it just a dream?)