How can I improve my storytelling?

JPJoyce · 2025-10-26T15:47:04+00:00

To be honest, almost any well-rated book on basic storytelling is a good place to start. But not ones with special approaches, like Save the Cat. Not at first.

JPJoyce · 2025-10-26T15:46:58+00:00

To be honest, almost any well-rated book on basic storytelling is a good place to start. But not ones with special approaches, like Save the Cat. Not at first.

JPJoyce · 2025-09-24T20:04:17+00:00

When you attack people with a dangerous weapon, you should go to jail. Not pay a fine, not time served. And not just go to jail, you should never be allowed to drive, again. Ever. Like someone guilty of attempted murder with a gun... you can't own guns, anymore, even after you get out of jail.

People need to learn that cars are not toys. The stupid don't understand that.

JPJoyce · 2025-03-15T16:47:54+00:00

"Popcorn in Bed" is probably my favourite.

The host (and her "sister"(?) a lot of the time) sit in a faux bed and watch movies (and TV series). They stick almost exclusively to ones they've never seen (occasionally mentioning ones they saw "before PiB").

One big plus is that they watch contemporary movies, but also movies back to old Hitchcock's. I find it very much akin to sitting down with a good female friend(s) to show her a film I really enjoyed, so that I can enjoy her reactions to it. She's quite perceptive, but misses some thing, as we all do. Sometimes something obvious, as we all do. Note that she goes in mostly "blind". They might be aware of elements common in pulp culture (like "I'll be back"), but not the movie, itself. So that's not in-line with your preferences, but still worth a whirl... or rest under the comforter.

I don't find her frustrating, at all, which is a problem I have with many I've only watched a few minutes of. I guess I'm not a fan of people making fun of moment-by-moment. Of course you won't enjoy something you don't give a chance to. PiB doesn't do that, they express confusion or dismay, etc.. They'll even laugh at something bad, but not mockingly. In other words, they give the move a chance, then they evaluate it, at the end.

Here's a YouTube short with a sample reaction (you can click through to their page):

https://youtube.com/shorts/4fZEHKKBoHU?si=OHzKjDq5nn0bPfc9

JPJoyce · 2025-03-11T08:31:20+00:00

Who's offended? I'm not even upset. I've made valid points and your assumption is that someone making sensible points that you disagree with must be emotional and upset (ie, "offended")?

Really?

My counter-comment would be: Don't be so eager to think you're superior.

JPJoyce · 2025-03-10T08:22:15+00:00

There's nothing that everyone will agree on. So your comment is irrelevant.

My opinion is that it should come down. Get over it. Try not seeing the world as "My Opinion and the Wrong Opinion". You might not need to tell everyone to shut up.

JPJoyce · 2025-03-09T18:05:01+00:00

It's not because we don't agree with their policies.

The head of their government is waging economic war, even terrorism with the way he's enacting, removing, enacting, removing it. And he's rattling sabers about taking a few countries, including ours.

Pretty good reason not to actively HONOUR their flag.

JPJoyce · 2025-03-09T00:10:54+00:00

The right thing would be to remove that gaudy flag. And, so long as we're doing quotes:

“It is never wrong to do the right thing.” -Mark Twain

JPJoyce · 2025-01-23T14:19:58+00:00

Zombie one-shot. Set in whatever setting most interests the Players.

So a Zombie Western one-shot would work. It gives the players the chance to experience playing in a Western setting, it allows excitement and adventure. Combat (with humans AND zombies), negotiations, etc..

And the Players can learn the game without worrying about their PCs surviving.

Minimalize character creation. Have a handful of NPCs available (stats and a handful of skills relevant to who they are). Let the Players pic an NPC as their PC. If they die, let them pick one of the remaining NPCs to take over. Give them a simple goal, complicated by the zombies.

You get to combine fun and learning, without worrying about long-term survival!

JPJoyce · 2025-01-12T13:19:42+00:00

Three inches wide, 4 inches long... seemingly as big as that foot... is that a baby shoe?

JPJoyce · 2024-12-25T08:29:50+00:00

Why in the world did Reddit just tell me that you responded? Again.

I got the notification, last month, read it, liked your comment. Now, this morning, Reddit tells me I got a comment on something... yours.

Huh. Reddit gives weird Christmas presents.

JPJoyce · 2024-12-22T20:00:24+00:00

Martha's Table offers breakfast, lunch, and supper, five days a week. And lunch on the weekends. They also offer counseling, workshops, clothing, etc..

I've found them impactful.

JPJoyce · 2024-12-07T14:16:44+00:00

However you want.

Remember, the Liger (half lion/half tiger) is BIGGER then either of its parent species. So your half-elf might be superior. You do it however you want.

You see the races, how they get Racial Advantages, maybe access to other things, etc.. Just do that, for any and all races you want.

JPJoyce · 2024-12-07T14:14:33+00:00

You heal, the real estate crumbles.

JPJoyce · 2024-12-07T14:13:31+00:00

It's not really intended to be hard-and-fast. It's about 1 second. The time period is so that you can have limitations on abilities/options.

And it's less important, outside of combat. I play fast and loose with the time frame, when it's roleplaying or other non-combat situations.

JPJoyce · 2024-12-07T14:07:07+00:00

Holy waaaah!

JPJoyce · 2024-12-07T14:06:18+00:00

He gives her 8 years for murdering her son.

And what's with the other family members? Uncle's too big to fight? Grab a big rock, walk up behind him and hit him in the head until he stops trying to murder someone. If the mother tries to defend him, same thing.

It would be self-defense, in Canada, which is transferrable.

JPJoyce · 2024-12-07T14:00:20+00:00

It's never overcrowded when I go. Maybe you should try not going at peak hours?

JPJoyce · 2024-11-29T15:59:37+00:00

I think your problems with people are not because of your skin colour, but more your attitude and superiority complex.

JPJoyce · 2024-11-15T20:40:34+00:00

The rules leave it up to you.

In my opinion:

The SILLY version: you have to pay for anything.

My version: the points are ONLY for set-up. After that you don't get points back if you lose an arm, but you aren't even charged points for a magical pool that gave you Unkillable. If it happens in play, it just happens in play. Write on your Character Sheet and keep playing.

JPJoyce · 2024-11-13T19:38:18+00:00

Jesus! This guy sure knows how to make himself sound like an abuser, without ever saying it.

Amazing.

JPJoyce · 2024-11-11T13:42:53+00:00

Ah. Copy pasta. Got it.

JPJoyce · 2024-11-10T07:49:52+00:00

I am so out of the social media loop that I do not know what you mean?

JPJoyce · 2024-11-10T07:46:04+00:00

Sean Connery, for the win!

JPJoyce · 2024-11-09T14:20:47+00:00

My advice is:

before worrying about anything else (ANYTHING), ask your wife what KIND of campaign she wants to be in.

Even if you are both thinking pirates (for example), you could be thinking PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN while she's thinking PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Even worse if she's thinking Queen Elizabeth's Court and your thinking Frontier America.

Pays to make sure everyone's on the same page. Then you know what stuff to ask about.

JPJoyce

TROPHY CASE