How to stop thinking about your adventure/campaign/game session?

[huank]

Ok, I've been running my first campaign as a DM for about more than a year now. We play D&D 4e, after a lot of time without playing RPG's at all. We used to play AD&D 2e and sometimes we played other games like Vampire, Call of Chtulhu, Zombie: All Flesh must be Eaten, Shadowrun and I think that's it. I always played as a PC, but one day I decided to buy my own books and start DMing myself, so I bought 4e stuff and since then we've been playing very often (Not as often as I would like to though). I've been noticing that gaming and preparing my game sessions is something that I really enjoy a lot, but, the problem is, that sometimes, it is difficult to think about anything else or trying to focus on other stuff, like my job, for example (I loose time reading blogs or writing ideas that come to my mind in that moment). It hasn't been a major problem though, but still I would like to know how do you deal with it. Or am I the only one with this kind of trouble?

 

[kitsune9]

Running campaigns and putting in the work and effort does take time; however, what it seems that you need is just to organize yourself and set aside your time for organization and prep, focus on that, and then put it away when you're done.

For example, if you feel that you need two hours to prep for an eight hour game, then set a time for the week to deal with it for two hours with no interruptions and then put it away.

I personally am able to devote a considerable amount of hours to preparing and running my Pathfinder game, but the other thing is that I don't watch any TV nor play any video games, great past times that would get me trouble if I did (because then I wouldn't have the time to devote to my game).

The other aspect is to examine your efficiency on your prep and organization. For me, I consider my efficiency at a 1:1 meaning, I'm happy if I spend one hour prep for one hour of game time (I write a lot); however if you feel that it's too much then figure out a way to increase your efficiency to go from 1:4 or 1:5 (one hour to four or five hours of game time).

Of course some gamers here will tell you that all you need is just an outline and pick random encounters out of the book, and plot smlot. If this works for you, then you'll definitely free up a lot of time that you can devote to other things.

While I don't play 4e, I do like it's monster / encounter creation which to me always comes across as fairly quick and straight forward.

Happy gaming!

 

[JohnnFour]

Do you carry a notebook with you? Recording your thoughts helps get them out of the head.

 

[pemerton]

I would like to know how do you deal with it. Or am I the only one with this kind of trouble?

I've had the same problem for about 12 years now - and sorry, have no advice to give on how to deal with it.

 

[The Shaman]

I've had the same problem for about 12 years now - and sorry, have no advice to give on how to deal with it.

Yeah, if anyone figures out how I can stop my brain from slipping into Dumas-mode or Andersen-mode or McMurtry-mode, please let me know.

In all seriousness, gaming's never interfered with my job or my family, and if it did I would set hard limits on the time I allowed myself to spend on it. As it stands, I use the time I spend on my bike each day, and an hour or two after the kids turn in while my wife is grading her students' work, to think about my campaign, update my wiki, and so on.

Overall I enjoy the time I spend on prep - it's great to exercise my imagination.

 

[Rel]

I only worry when I start to think about gaming during sex.

 

[Relique du Madde]

I only worry when I start to think about gaming during sex.

Yeah, because you might get slapped if you asked your wife what her result was on her fortitude save vs pregnancy was.

 

[Wik]

I only worry when I start to think about gaming during sex.

Hey man. Some guys think about baseball... others think about base attack. It's all good.

 

[Stumblewyk]

Other than the "set aside time specifically for game prep" and "the notebook" ideas, I really don't have any other constructive advice to offer. I've had similar issues over the last 6+ years, but I've managed to curtail it mostly by maintaining a wiki for my game, which I use largely like the notebook suggested upthread. When an idea hits me, I add it to the wiki. I flesh it out later when I have the time.

My main issue is that I have one of those brains that doesn't turn off when it's time for bed. I'll lie in bed for an hour or more thinking about my game, my characters, going over encounters in my head, etc. And then, more often than I'd like, I dream about gaming. =/

I know it's not healthy, but I've never been a good sleeper, so I'm just happy to take what I can get in that department.

 

[kitsune9]

Yeah, because you might get slapped if you asked your wife what her result was on her fortitude save vs pregnancy was.

I thought in 4e you got to roll to hit against Fortitude defense?