Trouble getting in the mood...

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

Despite the name of the topic, this thread is (at least I hope it stays this way...) clean.

Anyhow, I've been totally into D&D lately--it's a veritable renaissance after a long few months of not playing much due to school conflicts. Our group is sort of taking a break for the moment, since several members are on vacation. This gives me lots of free time to write and plan upcoming adventures.

Now for my problem: I can't get myself to just sit down and write all the ideas that are floating in my head!

Once I'm writing, I can go for a really long time, and enjoy it a helluva a lot. But I just can't get myself started.

The question to my fellow ENWorlders--What do you use, if anything, to get yourself in the mood for creating exciting, provocative, and relatively-balanced gaming material? Music? Movies? Games? Books?

HELP ME!

 

[Cyronax]

The question to my fellow ENWorlders--What do you use, if anything, to get yourself in the mood for creating exciting, provocative, and relatively-balanced gaming material? Music? Movies? Games? Books?

HELP ME!

Music definetely helps. The kind varies depending on what emotional state I'm in and what kind of material I think I want to produce.

When I write (or not write as is the case) updates to my story hour, I usually end up listening to a loop of Conan OST, Inuyasha (my favorite anime series) OST, and a bit of Final Fantasy OST.

A Perfect Circle, Ozzy, and some GNR nevers hurts either.

Also going on a good run or a drive through the country sometimes gets my creative juices going.

C.I.D.

 

[Crothian]

Despite the name of the topic, this thread is (at least I hope it stays this way...) clean.

Darn it. There goes that idea.

Anyhow, I've been totally into D&D lately--it's a veritable renaissance after a long few months of not playing much due to school conflicts. Our group is sort of taking a break for the moment, since several members are on vacation. This gives me lots of free time to write and plan upcoming adventures.

Now for my problem: I can't get myself to just sit down and write all the ideas that are floating in my head!

Once I'm writing, I can go for a really long time, and enjoy it a helluva a lot. But I just can't get myself started.

The question to my fellow ENWorlders--What do you use, if anything, to get yourself in the mood for creating exciting, provocative, and relatively-balanced gaming material? Music? Movies? Games? Books?

HELP ME!

I talk about it with other gamers. I post a few messages on these boards and get my juices flowing that way. THen I write my ideas out and posted them here to get further discusions and insight. The idea I start with is one I think is creative and fun. You might have noticed a few Oozemaster threads. I thought up a great character that deals with this very different prestige class and the ideas flowed.

 

[dreamthief]

I would suggest music or/and a change of environment like a nice coffeehouse. Write in point form; forget grammar or being coherent. Doodle if you need to.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

Thanks guys! Keep the ideas coming!

God I love this place...

 

[Irda Ranger]

i read story hours, read these boards and then go do something to let the mind "marinate" and soak in the stuff. Usually somthing mindless but not too tiring, like laundry or TV. Eventually I sit down somewhere comfortable with all my rule books and my laptop and just start brainstorming. Don't go back for at least an hour, just keep typing. I use the computer because I am a much faster typer than writing longhand. Sometimes I keep a pad though for doodles and sketches.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Don't laugh, but Late-Night Walking.

I don't know why it is, but I get my best thinking done on late night walks.

I carry a notepad (not the tiny computer, jut a little pad of paper) for just this reason.

 

[Mark]

Candles are nice...

Try getting away from it for a bit and wait until something strikes you. Perhaps open up Google.com and search by some odd words but include "medieval" as one of them.

Hope that helps!

 

[WizarDru]

Don't laugh, but Late-Night Walking.

I don't know why it is, but I get my best thinking done on late night walks.

Probably the freedom to think without distractions. I find some of my best ideas come while commuting to and from work, without my kids in the car.


Generally, I find that ideas can't be forced, only coaxed. Often, the zen-like approach of not trying to have ideas is what brings them forth. Conversations with your players help.

I also recommend National Geographic. Every DM should have a subscription. Seriously. Ancient societies, modern cultures, strange flora/fauna and just lots and lots of really cool stuff. A quick read on the truly bizarre habits of certain animals, or unique cultural aspects of lesser known cultures really makes you say..."I want to put THAT in the game!"

 

[alsih2o]

go to the story hour board, or plots and places