Some journeys start in a tavern. Mine started in the writing center at my university where I worked as a student. In place of a quest board was a small shared journal between the consultants and a sign-up page for anyone interested in trying D&D.
That was years ago and still, putting my name down was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only because it gave me lifelong (some may call semi-codependent) friends, but because it blew open the door for creativity in a way few experiences could.
I had no way to predict how much positive impact D&D would have on me as a writer, but the great thing is that now I can tell you! And maybe it’ll give you that little push you need to set out on an adventure of your own.
Wait, I Don’t Know What D&D Is
If you’re not familiar (in which case, kudos for clicking, you intrepid web surfer, you), D&D—or Dungeons and Dragons—is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Some use the term "D&D" as a colloquial way to describe a wide range of TTRPGs, but most often it refers to the fantasy genre–influenced form created by Gygax and Arneson.
In this system, players create unique characters and embark on adventures together as a party, guided by their DM, or Dungeon Master.
While the DM enforces rules and controls the world, the game is collaborative. Players make decisions, and those decisions have consequences—for better or worse! The game is founded on the D20 system, which means that the success of certain actions, like spells, persuasion, attacks, etc., relies on the character’s skill and the roll of a twenty-sided die.
The Breakdown
D&D has improved my writing in three main ways: depth, adaptability, and purpose.
Depth
Oh man, did I resent planning for writing prior to D&D. Outlines were the bane of my existence, and plotting made me feel like an angry, overstimulated chihuahua in a too-small crate.
D&D casted some sort of magic on my brain chemistry, and I feel the complete opposite now—I think because I used to view preparing as a way to box my writing in. Now, I see it as this awesome playground that I get to shape just for me and my friends’ fun!
Not only that, but I’ve really learned to enjoy the research stage as well. Exploring movies, books, history, and art that I would never have known otherwise has inspired me in such new and novel ways.
The best part is that you get to continue to tailor and develop the story you’re creating during the active play part of D&D. Trust me, nothing does wonders for your worldbuilding like having other people take a walk around in your world—literally.
Adaptability
When playing D&D, especially as a DM, you get an idea for a plan that you set your heart on. It’s a gorgeous plan. It’s the most beautiful plan you ever could have conceived of in your entire life. Lineages will be raised on stories of this plan.
And then the plan blows up. Sometimes spectacularly.
That’s just the nature of the beast. You’re operating within a collaborative setting, and your fellow players have agency. Their decisions, or your own rolls, can mean you’ve got to be ready to rework your next steps—often in a split second. You may not always improv gracefully in those moments, but I guarantee something interesting will always happen. Some of my best memories at the table are from quick pivots like this, whether it led to hysterical laughter or awed, hushed silence.
Ultimately, you may get to repurpose that idea down the line, but more often, it makes way for something better. The ability to accept that change has been instrumental for me in developing a healthy relationship with writing.
You want to learn how to kill your darlings? Put their fate in the hands of a D20.
Purpose
Okay, here’s the part where I get a little mushy.
Growing up, I probably spent more time preoccupied with the goings-on of fictional worlds than the reality I lived in. So, I took to drawing and writing with the type of fervor that only an isolated pre-adolescent girl could. But as I got older, all that excitement that made me brave enough to make things sort of disappeared.
By the time I was in college, I still had an affinity for the arts but no motivation. I was completely aimless, stifled, and resentful that it felt like all my talent just slipped away. Subtly, I hoped maybe the muses would bless me, and the perfect story would land in my lap and I’d be filled with the gift of the holy writing spirit once again.
Which is funny to think about now, but it kind of happened?
Because playing D&D with my friends gave me creative purpose. It was like they walked in and turned on all the lights for me again. Suddenly, I realized I do have stories to tell, and I want to tell them with these people.
That’s probably the most important thing D&D has done for me: It gave me back a part of myself.
The Adventure Continues
Here’s the thing. I don’t have any metrics to prove D&D made me a better writer. I don’t have numbers or published books or even an audience for my writing outside my friends. But like how an artist comes to understand proportions, or an athlete develops a muscle, aspects of writing have become easier.
Now, I look forward to the process, I’m okay with messing up or letting ideas go, and I have stories I want to tell. That’s a pretty far jump from where I was. I am excited, like how I used to be, to make things and show my friends.
So, I think it’s worthwhile to share this experience!
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Thank you so much for reading to the end of my first ever blog post! I’ll be writing a second part that will go live next month where I talk about the communal aspects of D&D, how community can serve you as a creative, and resources to help you find your own. Hope to see you there!
Alex is part of the Bookmarten Editorial team behind the scenes. She doesn’t have a platform you can follow her on at the moment, but she looks forward to seeing you in the Bookmarten Editorial social media comments and potential future blog posts!
"You want to learn how to kill your darlings? Put their fate in the hands of a D20."
Great line and a good tip that's got me thinking. This was a fun read. First post ever? I hope it's not your last, because that was some very enjoyable writing.