Random Plot
• Random Plot
More and more I am trying to make the games I run on Friday Nights "serialized". To me, this means they are part of a larger overarching plot line, but each "episode" has its own plot as well. Managing my player's interests, and the climax of each game is increasingly difficult.
I also draw my inspiration from Chaos. I plan out 27 scenes, with 1 and 27 being the Opening and Closing Credits in my head. From there I have made a Dynamic play list (in iTunes) with close to 12 different "rules". An example of these are, "No more than 8min long", and,"longer than 55 seconds"; there are others but there is no need to list them all here.
Using these iTunes gives me 27 songs, I save them to a play list, and preserve their order.
I then will meditate on each song, imagining my characters in whatever setting or situation comes to mind.
I am not a mystic. However, another example of Chaos is my use of Tarot; only in the employ of my writing. I will draw one card to represent the present, for each of my player characters. I use this in conjunction with the Themes, Setting, and Mood the play list gives me.
These things in addition to the overarching action and agenda's of my NPCs (always know what you NPCs goals are, and what they are doing, even when the players are not interacting with them) are what I used to create my stories nowadays...
Sometimes, this does not work. My brain locks and bellows smoke, and my muse runs out of the room screaming. In my desperation I will turn to my RSS Reader for a "Ripped from Today's Headlines" approach.
Today, I went groping for a Random Plot generator. I found many that were fantasy oriented. However, I did find this as well...
Law and Order Random Plot Generator | Plot Shot
The Law and Order one was amusing. Plot shot, while original, was only engaging for about three clicks.
Also, don't forget about Polti and his 36 Plots. A good read for anyone who does not know that the whole of climactic struggle has already been quantified. 36 Plots.
To you Storytellers and Writers out there: Do you have certain rituals and observances that give you inspiration or your stories purpose? Do you know of an awesome random Plot or Setting Generator?
Write me back. It's cold out here. ;)
• Changeling
Changeling spoilers have begun. Head over to White-Wolf.com/Changeling everyday to partake of their horrible goodness.
More and more I am trying to make the games I run on Friday Nights "serialized". To me, this means they are part of a larger overarching plot line, but each "episode" has its own plot as well. Managing my player's interests, and the climax of each game is increasingly difficult.
I also draw my inspiration from Chaos. I plan out 27 scenes, with 1 and 27 being the Opening and Closing Credits in my head. From there I have made a Dynamic play list (in iTunes) with close to 12 different "rules". An example of these are, "No more than 8min long", and,"longer than 55 seconds"; there are others but there is no need to list them all here.
Using these iTunes gives me 27 songs, I save them to a play list, and preserve their order.
I then will meditate on each song, imagining my characters in whatever setting or situation comes to mind.
I am not a mystic. However, another example of Chaos is my use of Tarot; only in the employ of my writing. I will draw one card to represent the present, for each of my player characters. I use this in conjunction with the Themes, Setting, and Mood the play list gives me.
These things in addition to the overarching action and agenda's of my NPCs (always know what you NPCs goals are, and what they are doing, even when the players are not interacting with them) are what I used to create my stories nowadays...
Sometimes, this does not work. My brain locks and bellows smoke, and my muse runs out of the room screaming. In my desperation I will turn to my RSS Reader for a "Ripped from Today's Headlines" approach.
Today, I went groping for a Random Plot generator. I found many that were fantasy oriented. However, I did find this as well...
Law and Order Random Plot Generator | Plot Shot
The Law and Order one was amusing. Plot shot, while original, was only engaging for about three clicks.
Also, don't forget about Polti and his 36 Plots. A good read for anyone who does not know that the whole of climactic struggle has already been quantified. 36 Plots.
To you Storytellers and Writers out there: Do you have certain rituals and observances that give you inspiration or your stories purpose? Do you know of an awesome random Plot or Setting Generator?
Write me back. It's cold out here. ;)
• Changeling
Changeling spoilers have begun. Head over to White-Wolf.com/Changeling everyday to partake of their horrible goodness.