Discussing Other Reality Twisters...

"Courage and willingness to just go for it, whether it is a conversation or a spontaneous trip or trying new things that are scary--it is a really attractive quality."-Alanis Morissette

Whether you are wandering the internet in search of inspirational websites or merely talking to friends and family, it seems that there is no end to variations of the cliché, “try something new.” While sifting through sources for a quote to go with this blog post, I came across many celebrities who were essentially all saying the same thing—Michelle Obama, Steve Jobs, and Alanis Morissette, just to name a few.

Yet, despite the seemingly universal nature of this sentiment, it is something that is far easier said than done. There are so many hurdles one must overcome: Where do I start? Who or what should I consult to help me? Will I be judged for not knowing what I’m doing?

It is for this reason that I took a particular interest in a blog site known as “Newbie DM" (https://newbiedm.com/about/). For readers unfamiliar with the tabletop wonder that is Dungeons & Dragons, “DM” means “Dungeon Master.” He or she is the person who dictates the adventure’s setting, creates stats for enemies or allies, and develops a story that is ever-changing with players’ decisions. It is no simple task—as a new D&D player, I am continually impressed by the effort and creativity that goes into this job. I would be terrified to try it for the first time, which is precisely why I find this individual’s online resource so valuable.

Taking an interest in Dungons & Dragons in the 80’s, the creator of Newbie DM describes his childhood self as being completely lost during his first encounter with the game. He recalls “never feeling skilled enough” to be a DM—yet, when he gathered a group of friends and began his own game, he greatly enjoyed doing so.

Now a seasoned player and DM, the site creator chose to develop his blog as a resource to help anyone who wishes to run their own game. He includes tutorials, advice, stats to help with character development, and many other helpful items. He encourages budding DM’s by offering a welcoming environment where they can ask questions and seek advice when totally lost in the creative process.

Because of my own tendency to be hesitant when trying new things—most of time, for fear of looking like a fool—I appreciate the goal of this blog. I intend to incorporate the same welcoming, instructive style into my own blog posts as I want my site to be a resource for all types of role-playing activities.

However, I also plan to push the boundaries established by this particular blog. Newbie DM is essentially restricted to Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Additionally, it places heavy emphasis on the game design aspects of character stats and model creation. In my blog, I would like to broaden the variety of role-playing activities covered in my blog posts and place greater emphasis on the writing and storytelling aspects of this particular craft.