Energy in the GM - Makes or Breaks the Game

There are many, many nights when I get behind my GM podium, sigh, look at the table, and have a moment where I can feel the energy just run out of me at my feet. My players are ready to go, but I am lacking the energy to pull the trigger and announce the start.

It can be tough having a long day, then having to GM. Energy in the GM is the most important aspect that comes to the table. If the GM has energy, passion, and conviction for what they are going to run, it makes the session flow better. Smaller mistakes are easily overlooked by the players, and humor can flow seamlessly with the serious aspect of the game.

For me, staying on my feet while I GM is the key to staying focused and my energy up. I try my hardest to avoid being bland, to avoid sitting still for more than 20 minutes. While talking in character I walk around on my edge of the table, or walk around the table. I use voices, I am willing to use my hands and physical actions to talk for the NPCs. The GM's podium is nothing more than a vessel to carry my notes and to act as a surface to roll my dice. Some players will be intimidated by this approach, but I have found that there are a lot of players that are hesitant to RP who are knocked over the edge to start being in character for more than their actions.

Gathering a binder full of quick and easy notes to reference is one of the biggest aides to a GM. Name lists, encounter tables, monster stat blocks, etc. All of this can help keep your flow up and allow you to feel like king of the world. I went to Staples and grabbed a 2 dollar 2" binder during a back to school sale, and then snapped over to Amazon to grab a box of 100 paper sleeves for it. While it is a work in progress, just having some of the more basic GMing items already in it is perfect and saved my bacon in several games (especially the name list, I am terrible with names on the fly).

Keep snacks on hand for you, and only you, to reach. GMs while running can quickly be deprived of the group's snacks as players munch away, listening and acting accordingly while you are busy doing the prep work. Often I will buy myself a bag of chips and a 2 liter of cola to drink while I run my games. This is a minor thing, but it's a big step to keeping motivated to continue that narrative train.

Ultimately you need to figure out what keeps you going, and what keeps you in the game. I find standing, having my own snacks, and a binder full of quick nabbing notes is the key to staying in the game. What's yours??