Sure, Why Not?

When creating a story with other people, one of the guiding principles is to avoid saying “no” to whatever someone else comes up with. Instead, say “yes, and…” to keep the story building and moving forward.

I think this applies to any storytelling, whether solo or in a group. When a crazy idea pops into my head, I try to ignore the filters in my mind and instead follow the crazy idea to see where it goes. Sometimes, yes, the idea turns out to be untenable, but sometimes the unexpected bit of impulsive imagination leads to gold.

Once again, I’m thinking of role-playing games like D&D as examples. When someone comes up with an insane idea, I don’t say “you can’t do that”. Instead, I like to say “there’s always a chance” and then assign some arbitrary chance for the crazy thing to happen. We have the most fun when they do.

A recent example was when one of the players was making fun of the wizard’s owl familiar. They impulsively grabbed some soiled rags, plopped them on their shoulder, and pretended it was their own owl ‘familiar’. Someone else remarked how hilarious it would be if the soiled rags came to life.

Sure, why not? I asked them to pick up their percentile dice (which randomly roll a number from 1 to 100), and challenged them to roll 100 on the first try. They did, a 1-in-100 chance, and everyone burst out into cheers and laughing. I described how the soiled rags shuddered to ‘life’ as a horrible necromantic mess, which the character has had on their shoulder ever since. Why? Why not? It’s funny, imaginative, absurd, and adds another great story to their ongoing tale of lunacy.

I try to do the same thing when I’m writing. When a crazy/zany/absurd idea comes along, I say “Sure, why not?” and run with it. Sometimes I just need to get out of my own way and let the story happen on its own.

More news from the D&D table: Our friends the Chuckleheads continue to move ahead with their adventure. Using an improvised airship (as one does) they have flown over the jungle to arrive at the Forbidden City™. The monsters who live there aren’t too keen to see them.

Using the miraculous dumpster-fire of AI transcription, we are gifted with a permanent record of things we probably said during the latest episode:

Well, if Jim’s gonna be joining us, I’m gonna need beer.

Comment: If we’re lucky, we’re sometimes ready to go within an hour of our agreed start time! That gives us plenty of time to resolve technical issues, obtain beverages, and trash-talk whoever isn’t online yet.

[You’ve sworn an] oath of blind servitude to a god whose portfolio is, quite frankly, looking worse and worse as we go along.

Comment: Party members have concerns about why the character Belanna is now a worshipper of Valdar, who is one of the other party members and a wannabe god.

As I was going back with the backhand, the blowthroop just kept contingling through the first one’s head.

Comment: The AI made a mess out of this sentence, and yet we all know what it meant. You can just feel the blowthroop.

Why the fuck am I worshiping you?

Comment: And now Belanna is also asking questions about her worship of the god-wannabe Valdar.

I’m going to pull out my ‘blow shit up’ mug and ask Orvex to pour me some more of that coffee.

Comment: The party is in the middle of a desperate (and avoidable) fight, and the wizard has decided he needs to interrupt his breakfast to intervene. Stand by for a fireball barrage.

None of them are coming within about 30 feet or so of the fire. Which I’ve now decided you have. Yes. Because otherwise, the previous sentence makes no sense.

Comment: As the DM, I was narrating what was going on at the campfire. I then realised I didn’t know if they had a campfire or not. Notice how smoothly I deal with it. Ahem.

Well, he hurt me most.

You mean emotionally?

Comment: Some monsters attack your self-esteem.

Not that I’m saying that anyone’s going to do anything weird or inappropriate to Valdar while he’s sleeping, but I can’t rule it out, not around here.

Comment: I think the party is starting to doubt this god-wannabe in their midst, and I realise I can’t take anything for granted.

Bullshit like this needs to be celebrated.

Comment: Amen.