I was perusing the thread by
@Malmuria which was a comment thread about a survivor thread set up by
@CleverNickName and it made me think about the overall issue of DMing, and why people both crave advice, give advice, and why the topic of good DMing can be so contentious and filled with so much one-true-wayism. Given that I wanted to write out my thoughts more in full, I decided to start a thread- a thread, about a thread, about a thread.
Please note- I am using the term "DM" instead of "GM," because I feel like it, because I'm mostly discussing D&D, and because I want to. Feel free to use whatever your preferred nomenclature is.
1. Why we always argue about definitions.
I do agree with this. Too often people get caught up arguing semantics, trying to come up with an objective definition for things that are completely subjective. Corollary to this is that because different people have ever-so-slightly different definitions of what something means leads to the the claim that the whole thing is pointless. If you can't come up with a logical argument, obfuscate!
2. Railroads and player agency and fudging, oh my!
Do what works for you and your group. I don't personally use modules because I find them either so broad they take longer to really understand that it's more work than just making up my own stuff. When I do get them, I just pull out pieces for inspiration. Probably why nowadays I prefer PDFs so I can just cut out the important bits into my notes and ignore what I don't want to use.
Fudging can get annoying if it's noticeable, but the DM is
always adjusting things for their group either before or during the game. If they didn't, that first level party would be facing ancient red dragons and be dead before the PCs could say "is that a dra...". I don't remember the last time I modified a die roll, but I will adjust planned encounters or use less than optimal tactics.
3. So, what does any of this have to do with being a better DM?
Start every day with a smile so you can be done with it as quickly as possible.
One of the best things to happen to the growth of D&D is the rise of the streaming games; but this is, conversely, one of the worst things to happen to DMs. Yes, there are actual games by actual DMs streamed out
Well, the "[streams] aren't D&D games, those are entertainment." is where we went off the rails. Let's just say I disagree.
But I disagree that you shouldn't listen. I
listen to advice all the time. I reject a lot of it, but I still listen. I don't care how long you've DMed or played, you can always improve. Heck, there's some posters I don't block simply because they remind me of what I should not do. Sometimes your purpose in life is to be an example of what not to do.
Of course my game, my advice, may not apply to your game and vice versa. In addition to that, accept that you can't be the right DM for every player. There are some good DMs out there that wouldn't be the right DM for me. This is such a personalized game, there's no way to please everyone and sometimes trying to please everyone means you end up pleasing no one.
Yeah, don't get too worked up about what anyone posts. Agree, disagree, it doesn't really matter. There is no one true way. If you and your group are having fun you're doing it right.