Sapient |
I have a similar personality. I feel I do well with people right until everyone is looking at me waiting for me to speak. I think the only thing to do is just accept you will be nervous at first. As the time rolls by, everything will feel more casual and natural, the way it does when you talk to a friend one on one.
Mark Hoover |
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If we're talking a level of stagefright that impedes every day life I'm not a licensed therapist or anything. I hope that it's not as bad as that. I have however been involved in a speech club called Toastmasters. Some tips I've used from that and my own experience to overcome nerves in running a game are:
1. meet them as friends first. Even if you're already friends, just have them over to hang out and then gradually work into a game.
2. Tell them you're nervous. It's freeing and you know your audience will be supportive.
3. Don't make eye contact. I know this goes against giving speeches but you're running a game. Maybe put up a screen and run w/that obscuring your audience. Otherwise turn sideways so you're talking at the wall; it'll add an air of mystery as well as keep your attention off the reaction of the crowd.
4. Have a fidget. Keep something in your hand to roll around in your palm or rub with your fingertips.
5. Practice in a mirror. At least if you're prepared this might squash some of the butterflies.
Mythic Evil Lincoln |
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For both players and GMs, I think people are much more comfortable describing in 3rd person than in the 2nd and 1st person perspectives. So "Blackleaf is sitting in the tavern" instead of "You are sitting in a tavern." "What is he going to do?" instead of "What are you going to do?"
It transforms the interaction into a collaboration on an external thing, rather than a direct exchange between two people. This can be helpful early on, and then you can transition to the more direct perspective.
You don't actually need to act out NPCs talking to eachother. It's often less scary to say "they're talking about the plans for the ritual sacrifice tonight" than to try and ad-lib a believable conversation with yourself. If the NPC is talking to a player directly, it's totally okay to describe what he says rather than to speak as the character. You'll want to learn to play NPCs in character over time, but it is not an essential function. It can wait.
Avoid long stretches where you are the only one talking. Ask questions about the PCs frequently. Avoid overwrought prosaic descriptions, at least until you hit your stride. If you're running an AP that has box text, try paraphrasing. If it's REALLY GOOD box text, try asking a different player to read the text for each room. This keeps them awake and gives you a few seconds to make rolls and such.
Start each scene with a simple, one-to-two sentence description of the situation that suggests a form of interaction or raises a question. The sooner you can get to the question-and-answer part of the scene-setting, the easier it will be.
When answering questions and presenting the consequences of actions, try not to shut the action down just because you don't know immediately how to handle the results. Everyone understands GMing overclocks the brain, it is always acceptable to respond with a thoughtful "hmmm..." Take a minute to think it over, or even ask the players for suggestions on what might happen.
Plan some social time before the game, but start on time. Starting on time really helps to deal with the awkwardness of transitioning into the fantasy world. Share this intention with your players: "Starting the game is awkward, so we're going to start at exactly 5pm so I'm not procrastinating the whole night." They'll appreciate this.
Starting your first games is a really high pressure feeling, I remember it. But once a campaign is rolling and you're on your 10th session, starting will be a total non-issue.
Although this advice is intended to address performance anxiety, some of it is just good advice for GMing. Keeping the story moving, keeping the action focused on the players -- not only will this take the pressure off of you, players genuinely prefer it anyway!
thegreenteagamer |
One thing I use for public speaking is I take my glasses off. Everyone looks blurry, but I'm nearsighted, so I can still read my notes and talk to what seems like an amorphous blob to me.
Might not work if you've got 20/20, though.
I also would suggest getting your hand in as a player for a while, first. If you can handle center stage when it's your turn to RP, GMing shouldn't be too much more work. You don't have to commit to a huge campaign - PFS exists, and one of the only things I do like about it is its essentially a "pickup" tabletop RPG game that you can come and go as you please. Great for warming up the old stage fright chops.
Matthew Downie |
There's lots of good advice on the internet for subjects such as overcoming stage fright - if they work for performing in front of crowds of strangers, they should be good enough for hanging out with your friends.
I've found the Anxiety Trick approach quite effective but I don't know if that's the right one for you.
Lich Bard |
Is it because you are the center of attention? Or because you are the only one speaking? How is your mastering style like? Narrative (like an off voice telling the story), theatrical (acting like all the NPCs, with their voices, gesturing)?
You could try practicing in front of a mirror, or speaking more to many people. Maybe get with friends and make a storytelling round, each telling some story, and so you get the opportunity there. Maybe acting lessons (precisely the excercises to be more confident in oneself, to lose stage fright).
They are your friends, and you are confident with them. Remember to laugh with them about the strange things that happen, be them because of them, because of you, or anything that deserves a good laugh. If you want, you can try asking them to help you, to support you.
You can try being a player for a time, and then you can watch the DM doing the things, and ask the DM about this stuff, how s/he manages.
Hope it helped.
Oakbreaker |
I have been a player for years and really never GMed until I moved and became the only person within my group of friends with knowledge of the game. I have a group I play with every week as a player but its full and kind of a drive from where I live, my friends want to play but I have the most experience with the rules and understand them well. I had this story in my head since i first played. I don't know what has me so anxious. I am naturally Narrative but the issue comes up prominently when they engage the NPCs...
Mythic Evil Lincoln |
I have been a player for years and really never GMed until I moved and became the only person within my group of friends with knowledge of the game. I have a group I play with every week as a player but its full and kind of a drive from where I live, my friends want to play but I have the most experience with the rules and understand them well. I had this story in my head since i first played. I don't know what has me so anxious. I am naturally Narrative but the issue comes up prominently when they engage the NPCs...
This will only be an issue for the first session or two, then you'll break it.
Do try using the third person perspective in your narrative, even for dialog (describing rather than acting out).
I found that to be a helpful crutch for years, then I started running so much that all of the performance anxiety became a moot point.
It's slightly less immersive, but I've never found a player who would choose no-game over slightly-less-immersive-game.