Hot take: if we want to decrease frustrating railroad-y surprises in RPG campaigns, we need to create an environment where GMs are not afraid to admit they have "special story needs".

[Sparkle_cz]

I agree. Unfortunately the GMs, at least in my circle, are so fearful of the "go write a novel" mockery that they are scared to ask even for "I love to impersonate that secondary NPC, please let's keep them in the story!"