A DM Pro Tip
Have you ever been grasping for that perfect adventure hook? Or have you been brainstorming a campaign that just won’t coalesce? It may not be your mindset but actually your location.
I had often found myself struggling to put on a fun and challenging campaign. A writer’s block so pervasive that I would have to put the legal pad and pen to the side for weeks before I could find that spark of inspiration. I blamed myself for this believing that I was just out of ideas, or I had hit an inspirational dry spell. I had also noticed at that time that I was putting on weight. I later realized the only way I was going to lose the weight was to get out and start moving. It was with this motivation that I found what I had been missing in my search for exciting adventures. My brain wasn’t getting enough blood flow.
My body and brain had become a potato. My brain wasn’t getting the oxygen it needed to stimulate cognitive function. So I started walking, and soon afterward, the stories started to come. It got so good that I started to delve into the realm of creative writing. I had written two fiction stories and several adventure hooks by the time winter had arrived. Of course once winter arrived it was a bit harder to find pleasant weather to walk in, and once again, the brain withered like an old grape.
Once spring had rolled back around I found that I was out on the trails and creating worlds in my mind. With every step came a new idea, a new story, or an exciting campaign. Every step, a glimpse into inspiration. That was what was missing all along. Fresh air, movement, sunlight, and blood flow all working to stimulate the mind into a machine of creativity. No more writer’s block.
I had tested this on different trails. I found that trails that were easy going without many other pedestrians were the best. I could just follow the path, let my mind wander, feel the sun on my skin, and let the sound of the wind in the trees take me away. On trails that were harder I couldn’t let my mind go. I had to pay attention to rocks, fallen branches, and the possibility of dangerous wildlife. It was at those times that I couldn’t let my brain explore other realms.
Test it for yourself. The next time you find yourself beating your head trying to find the right scenario, put the pen and paper down, grab a walking cane and a hat, and get moving. Let the oxygen, movement, sunlight and nature take your mind outside. You may be pleasantly surprised when it will take you.
