Tackling DMs Writers' Block
Every now and again I get to a point where I can't think how to believably move a story along. It's a tough thing to get over but I have found some ways to trick myself out of it. Here are my favourite ways to get over DM's Block:
1. Create a new character.
Dust off the Player's Handbook, grab a fresh character sheet and build something new. This doesn't have to be an NPC or fit in your world at all. I find the process of making a character gets me thinking about how I would like to play and what cool things I would like to do with the tools at this character's disposal. That will give you ideas on how to give your player's the rewarding experience they want.
This also works with going through the Reaper website and giving backstories to the models. This method is also why I have no money...
2. Read your PCs Backstories
Backstories are free plot hooks and storylines, USE THEM! If a PC has a fear of something write in a way for them to adhere or conquer their fears. The Arcanist Class from Unearthed Arcana had a rival built in to their backstory, have them interfere with your party's plans or even ally with the Bad Guy. The Rival is a recurring low level bad guy have fun with them.
3. Painting and Crafting
Just zoning out and making or painting something helps my brain relax for a bit. If I'm painting an NPC it helps me to get into their head and have a more fleshed out idea of who they are and their family tree leading to other NPCs being created and then the ball is rolling on a whole section of the town or city they are in.
4. Reading
Good writers borrow, great writers steal.
After reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss I wished I could write about anything as eloquently as he wrote about music, it took my breath away. I wanted to incorporate a version of his venue The Eolian into a city I was building based roughly on Amsterdam. Taking inspiration from many different writers isn't anything to be ashamed of, references should be sprinkled liberally into a story like spice in a stew just don't overdo it.
This is also why I am determined to read more about folk tales this year. Blindboy from The Rubberbandits spoke about The Salmon of Knowledge on his podcast and how it was the only instance of the story popping up in world culture. The world has common fairy stories and the ideas of zombies and vampires, trolls and goblins but some stories are unique to one culture and these give an idea as to what these people are about.
5. Lore You Should Know
I listen to this section of the Dragon Talk Podcast and learn something new about the lore of Faerun. This will usually lead me into new areas to exploit and some fresh ideas from Chris Perkins and Matt Sernet themselves!
There you go, those are the ways I tackle a block, don't force it move onto something else.
May you roll well!
