Improve My GM Notes

[pjrake]

These are my notes for tonight's game (I don't think my players will see this LOL). I'm asking you folks to help me improve my pre-session game prep. Some of the things I try to accomplish when writing my game notes:
http://www.charetta.com/files/fantasyadventure.pdf
http://www.mediafire.com/file/inkdvztm3a3/fantasyadventure.pdf

1. Keep it simple! Try to write as little as possible to increase more spontaneous and ad-lib... in other words, more roleplaying!

2. Try not to railroad the players. That is why I write "Possible Encounter"

3. Whenever possible, write out the rules in my notes, so I don't have to reference the rulebook during the game.

Anyway, if there are any tips/suggestions, I would love to hear how you guys write your game notes down.

-PJ

 

[Janx]

kind of looks like a partial adventure, at least frokm what I do.

I'm not found of the 2 column approach, but then I never manage to get that feature working in Word...

I usually put some general adventure info at the top on the first page.

Adventure #, name, date

PC names, class and level

rough summary of where we last left off (a paragraph at most).

Writing this first page usually primes the pump for what I'm going to do next, and gives me reminders on who everybody is...

where you started in page 1 feels like I'm in the middle of a module, no clue what's going on.

for monsters, I like to put in their HP. If this is going to be printed out, I may even do HP circles, so I can just cross them out.

If this is going to be run off a laptop, I hyperlink the monster in from d20srd.org

I'll also have the map as part of this file. I don't like things to get seperated.

The summary on page one would explain if the party is "in the middle" of something, like exploring the Tower of Terror. and who it belongs to. It will mention the basic plot of "Prince Andar is a lich who lives in the top floor. He has turned this wizard's school into his own personal laboratory. Throw in the basic out line of what he hopes to do, which establishes the default timeline.


For the OP, he's been running the campaign, so he knows these missing bits. I like to write them down anyway, it helps me remember, especially if time passes due to cancellation or something.

 

[Janx]

holy frak. I just figured out who you are.

I've been meaning to buy one of your CD's, since the last headcutting contest on HC.

Small world.

 

[pjrake]

holy frak. I just figured out who you are.

I've been meaning to buy one of your CD's, since the last headcutting contest on HC.

Small world.

LMAO!

What a small world! When I saw your name "Janx" from another thread here, I wondered if you were the same person from HC. (btw: I've read your blog a few days ago, and I really enjoyed them, especially the one on describing combat: "keep it short and choppy, like combat itself"... wrote down that quote on my notes!).

I like the idea of putting the date, and listing the PC's name at the top. You are right that this is the middle of the story, and most important notes I either have it written down (hand written) or in my head (not a good place to "store" things hahahaha).

As for the link I posted; had to use my band's server to host it LOL. Tried using box.net but had to upgrade if I wanted to put a direct link. I think that's how you found out who I was. Been a gamer and musician all my life! Peace.

-PJ

 

[Perram]

This is a topic I'm extremely interested in as well.

I have to say your notes look quite a bit more organized than I manage, but I would suggest you try different nested levels of headings to help make finding information a bit easier.

For instance, I would make each of the floor labels 'Heading 2' size at lest, and each room or encounter a 'Heading 3.'

Also: Consider embedding a few images in the document to help your eye familiarize itself with the content.

 

[pjrake]

This is a topic I'm extremely interested in as well.

I have to say your notes look quite a bit more organized than I manage, but I would suggest you try different nested levels of headings to help make finding information a bit easier.

For instance, I would make each of the floor labels 'Heading 2' size at lest, and each room or encounter a 'Heading 3.'

Also: Consider embedding a few images in the document to help your eye familiarize itself with the content.

I like the larger font size for headings. Will def try that.

The image would be ideal, but I'm trying to simplify things and probably don't want it to look so much like a module, and more like notes. Perhaps have images and maps under my notes? (I'm currently using a clipboard that holds the notes I will be using for the session).

-PJ

 

[Perram]

I just recommended the images to sort of make it easier to scan, I don't mean to make it look like a module or anything. For instance I put NPC pictures next to their introductions or important parts of the adventure if I'm able just to help me find that NPC quicker durring play.

Since you are going for a two column layout, something I've done before is I leave the right hand column blank, but still there so that I can take notes to the side during play as the players change things or discover things, or if I have to change something in the middle of the session.

 

[Janx]

I like the idea of putting the date, and listing the PC's name at the top. You are right that this is the middle of the story, and most important notes I either have it written down (hand written) or in my head (not a good place to "store" things hahahaha).

Coming in cold, the missing material makes it harder to pick up what's gone on before. I tend to play once a month, but write the adventure the week before the session. The stuff is sort of fresh, but when I start writing, it's a blank. So i whip up the summary and go from there. Next time I'm on my home PC, I'll paste in a text copy of one of my adventures.

Thanks for reading the blog. I enjoy writing, even more so when it has value to somebody else. Otherwise, it's like the tree falling in the forest, if nobody's around, does it matter?

seeing the band name in the initial URL jogged my memory. Until then, it hadn't even occured to me. For those not following, pj and I are active on a musician forum with the same user names, and until this moment, hadn't realized it. One of the funny things (and I think I've wrote about it here) is that the problems band members complain about have parallels in gaming. Especially with flaky members. It's creepy.

 

[pjrake]

Since you are going for a two column layout, something I've done before is I leave the right hand column blank, but still there so that I can take notes to the side during play as the players change things or discover things, or if I have to change something in the middle of the session.

That's a great idea!

Now I have to figure out how to do it on Word... LOL

Thanks for the tip

-PJ

 

[Perram]

Just increase your right page margin to something large, like 4" or so, and change the layout back to one column.