Good idea. I've already touched on this with #TenThingsAboutDirection, but let's do #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames. Follow the hashtag to collect them all!
1. As a teacher, it was clear to me that D&D and its many, many spinoffs were beneficial in many ways. They teach lateral thinking, co-operation, empathy, confidence and provide a safe space for sensitive, shy or neurodivergent pupils. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
2. As a writer, it can be equally beneficial. It's basically a live, interactive sandbox in which to develop the art of creating satisfying stories. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
3. Though heavily plot-driven, roleplaying games encourage interesting and diverse character-building. Race, background, personality quirks and differing levels of physical and mental ability are built into the process. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
4. Though the main plot of the story is often pre-structured, it's up to the characters to provide the dialogue. This is a great way of exploring how good dialogue works, including comic relief, interactions between characters, etc. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
5. The wealth of detail within the worlds of D&D and its variants make players aware of what should be done in terms of world-building to create an immersive reader (or player) experience. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
6. Conflict drives story. Its management is often the key to a well-developed, suspenseful plot. These games are filled with encounters in which players can explore the different ways to deal with conflict in a satisfying way. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
7. Because the various members of adventuring parties are usually chosen with specific skill sets and roles in mind, it's a handy way to deal with handing large casts of characters within a working plot. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
8. It's also a good way of exploring action and fight scenes, battles, weapons, their uses and physical effects in the context of an unfolding storyline. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
9. Every storyline is structured to follow the standard literary plot structure - call to action, heroes' journey, reversals and obstacles, final confrontation and final resolution - which helps to improve general plot management. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
10. Because at every stage of the game there are multiple choices to be made, it helps enhance mental flexibility, problem-solving and lateral thinking skills, which makes you much more likely to cope with your own writerly plot bunnies. #TenThingsYouCanLearnFromRoleplayingGames
