So, hey everyone,

Where should I start?

After finding a podcast on Gming I stumbled on to Fear the Boot . . . about a week or two ago . . . I've been hooked from the start.

Just hold on, I'm going somewhere with this . . .

Even after being around, and trying, Pen and Paper role-playing games for something like 14 years (at least) I can only honestly count a few years of that as honest to goodness gaming experience. This is a problem in that I have always wanted to play in a game (or run one) that played out like a story . . . many times my stage fright has gotten the better of me (as a GM) . . . (in one case a GM branded me as a sub-par role-player and subsequently booted me from a rather interesting Call of Cthulhu game).

Games that I have started have largely fallen flat, and I can’t say much for games that I have participated in either. It just seems like I have this wonderful visions as what my characters are, I go into their backstory and everything, but even if I could write a book with them as the main character things just seem to fall flat when I’m in an actual group.

I have seen the light, in a way, though. I think D&D was holding me back, as far as role-playing is concerned.

I don’t know . . . I would really love for a game to go well. I wouldn’t even care if my character died, as long as it played out well.

I’m open to any advice anyone can offer too. I really want to have some successful games.

- Bahr

Welcome to the nuthouse. Sorry about the weirdos.

First piece of advise, find the GM who branded you as a "sub-par role-player" and beat him into next July with a shovel. Booters don't take kindly to someone talking down to other booters.

Greetings! Be welcome in our midst. You will find the answers you seek if only you narrowed your inquiries and ask nicely.

That guy. Is a dick. Royally. (+ what MrE said).



Oh, woops! I mean...



Good to have you.

Hi

Hello, good evening, and welcome...

I'm not sure I can put my finger on it really. It's easier to illustrate in person.

Most likely it is partially related to suffering from stage fright when I am running a game.

I tend to plan a ton as well. I can't help it.

. . . and of course this leads to me scrambling to try to throw something together as the players go a completely different direction then I anticipated.

Coming up with portions of a scenario on the fly is a difficulty of mine as well (especially when trying to tie the tangent with the rest of the campaign).

A common enough trait amongst the geek community. The only advice I can offer here is to first find a group of people with whom you feel comfortable talking about gaming stuff. That way, when you ascend the GM's throne it will not be such a big step for you. As with most things, confidence grows through experience, and there really is no good substitute.



I also plan in huge detail before running a game. That is not the problem. Your problem appears to be a lack of confidence in your ability to 'wing-it' when the players do something unexpected. But you can make your own strengths work for you here. When I plan a scenario I always put myself into the mindset of my players and mentally run through it from their perspective. That gives me a good idea of where they might go off the rails a bit, and certainly identifies the main decision points where multiple options are available to them. Then I take each possible (more accurately, each probable) option and develop it far enough to reach just beyond the end of the next game session. That way, whatever they do it appears as if I was expecting it and am fully prepared.

The time between sessions can then be used to develop the line they have taken more fully, and the process repeats...

Welcome! Personally, I find that being comfortable with the people you play with helps a lot, and trying other social skills (like public speaking) can do wonders for your stage fright.

I would like to add that any reasonable group of gamers would understand if the GM needs to take a short break (5 - 15 min) to put his/her thoughts together in order to make a better story. I have done this more than a few times with my games. I am typically pretty good at piecing together various plot elements and dealing with unexpected turns, but when the players throw a true curve ball at me, sometimes I need a few minutes to figure out where to go from there.
Typically the players would be more than willing to give that time, because it means a better story and that they have out-thought the GM.