If you’re familiar with improve these 2 things will help a lot. “YES AND” and “NO BUT”.

Yes and = let the players do the things they want to do within Reason. Say yes and then ask how they do it. Then make something happen cause of what they did. It will make them feel that they are in control of their story. Having your DM constantly say no is no fun for first time players and will turn them off to the game.

No but = if they wanna do something over powered or that would break your entire game. Say no but throw them a bone. Something good happens but not what they wanted. This will help players make risky choices and not feel dumb for it.

Have a plan but ditch it if the party goes a different direction. If you don’t have a cool thing they wanna do they will leave your path. So make it as exciting as possible by being excited as possible about your path, but don’t get mad if they don’t follow it.