The Intimidation of Storytelling

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 Being a Dungeon Master means being a storyteller. Does that drive people away from sitting behind the screen?

For me, telling stories is a natural thing. I've been coming up with stories my whole life. For many people, that's not the case. So what happens when players see someone like Matt Mercer, and assume that is what is required as a DM?

This is called the "Matt Mercer" effect, and it is one of the great deterrents of becoming a DM - and it's BS. 

Being a DM does mean being a storytelling - it doesn't mean being a great actor, not a great writer. It doesn't mean being original. It doesn't mean being overly literate or educated. It means you can sit down and tell a story - and you know what? Anyone can do that.

The important part is to get over the intimidation, and often that means letting go of expectations. You're not writing the great American novel here - you're getting a bunch of friends at a table and having a good time. If you can't have a good storyline - just react your favorite movie. Or tell a dumb story. Or use a pre-written module. There are lots of ways to do it - and it's all fine. In a private game at your own table, anything goes - and you shouldn't feel ashamed at being silly or derivative in your games. 

So don't be afraid to DM because you don't think you're good at stories. It comes with practice. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't enthrall the players. It comes with practice. Don't beat yourself up over your storylines - just remember you will get better the more you do it. And most of all, don't compare yourself to other DMs who have been doing this for years and have practice in creative fields outside of the gaming table.

Just get at a table with your friends. Tell a cool story. Have a good time. Don't worry about the rest.


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