dave2008
Legend
Well I disagree. I feel like I know what I am doing after DMing for 30+ years. Now, the caveat is that I don't run published adventures. We run an open campaign world were I've built the overall structure, but the group is free to choose what they do and how they do it. If they decide to change directions midway an adventure - that works just fine for me.While I understand the sentiment of this, I have rarely found it to be true for any GM who knows what they are doing.
I don't see changing directions as sabotaging a plot line, but as I mentioned I don't run published adventures either, so my view of a "plot line" may be different than what you mean.Meaning, I have never seen an entire group of players want to leave the adventure at the drop of a hat. I have never seen an entire group suddenly sabotage a plot line. I have seen one or two influential players force their influence on others that went along with it. But never really willingly.
FYI, the OP said half the group wanted to change the directions. I missed that part, but my response is still basically the same. I go where the players want. I basically leave it to them to decided and mediate where needed. It has worked for 30 years so I'm good with that!