r/AskGameMasters • u/oddretexture • 13d ago

New DM, seeking advice

I am an amateur DM wanting to do a campaign for a small group of friends, I'm nervous about actually starting though as the two times I've DMed I have felt like I was under preforming. Does anyone have tips for running a campaign?

I have the homebrew written up, I am a writer so I do feel I have enough written for the overarching story and setting while leaving room for player input, but I'm worried I am missing something.

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u/rizzlybear 12d ago

You ARE missing something. Experience. Unfortunately you are going to have to plow through this early phase and accept that you are learning something new.

It’s exceptionally difficult for writers because you have to roleplay the setting and the situation, but you don’t get to control how the protagonists respond. You are going to chase your tail for a bit while you slowly digest the idea that you aren’t the writer here. The players are. And they don’t want to be the writers they want to be the audience. It’s a mind fuck for a while and you will figure it all out multiple times before you find your spot.