24 Years a Dungeon Master

Some plain-and-simple advice, one DM to another.

Deadwood Dick Library, 1899 (Public Domain)

A friend recently asked me how to strike the right balance as a Dungeon Master — talking enough to keep momentum, but not so much that players feel railroaded or stuck in awkward silences.

Here’s the advice I shared from my 24 years of DM experience.

It’s always cooperative

Start by opening the feedback loop to everyone and giving it structure. I favor the Stars & Wishes format because it prompts positive highlights (the stars) and forward-looking tweaks (the wishes). Encourage players to share those at the end of each session, then post your own stars and wishes in chat to kick off discussion.

Yes… and here’s what happens next” beats a hard “no” almost every time

Behind the screen, think actor first, author second. You might be head-over-heels in love with your setting, but lore drops delivered before players ask can feel like sinks for the plot pace. Sprinkle in knowledge checks to ensure that information emerges when someone actively seeks it.

Follow improv’s golden rule: “Yes… and here’s what happens next” beats a hard “no” almost every time.

Think in beats