Clay Sheldon
@claysheldon.bsky.social
Writer, DM, Storyteller and a fan of all things fiction.
Represented by the Rights Factory
http://claysheldon.com/
Check out this fantasy murder mystery party game! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/402695/mysteries-of-the-flying-haddock-a-trilogy
Represented by the Rights Factory
http://claysheldon.com/
Check out this fantasy murder mystery party game! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/402695/mysteries-of-the-flying-haddock-a-trilogy
Pinned
Clay Sheldon
@claysheldon.bsky.social
· Aug 22
Mysteries of The Flying Haddock - a trilogy - Enigmatic Events Collective Inc. | DriveThruRPG
Mysteries of the Flying Haddock are a set of threeshort murder mystery roleplaying games inspired by Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition and the Forgotten Realms. It is, however, not a 5th edition adv...
www.drivethrurpg.com
Do you like fantasy? How about murder mystery party games? Good news! The Flying Haddock is open for business! Solve three unique mysteries with friends, before the killer gets you!
And if you're feeling generous, I would greatly appreciate a like and a repost!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
And if you're feeling generous, I would greatly appreciate a like and a repost!
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/4...
Writing Tip:
Get a reliable water bottle. Doesn't matter what you fill it with. Just find a container that's big and reliable. Nothing ruins writing flow more than having to get up for the sixth time to grab a drink, and losing all that precious focus.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Get a reliable water bottle. Doesn't matter what you fill it with. Just find a container that's big and reliable. Nothing ruins writing flow more than having to get up for the sixth time to grab a drink, and losing all that precious focus.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Writing Tip:
Get a reliable water bottle. Doesn't matter what you fill it with. Just find a container that's big and reliable. Nothing ruins writing flow more than having to get up for the sixth time to grab a drink, and losing all that precious focus.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Get a reliable water bottle. Doesn't matter what you fill it with. Just find a container that's big and reliable. Nothing ruins writing flow more than having to get up for the sixth time to grab a drink, and losing all that precious focus.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Buy a LOT of pencils (with erasers). Sharpen them, and have a few ready. Sounds silly, especially if you use a computer to write. But sometimes you just need to jot something down on a piece of paper when inspiration strikes. That, or your power goes out.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Buy a LOT of pencils (with erasers). Sharpen them, and have a few ready. Sounds silly, especially if you use a computer to write. But sometimes you just need to jot something down on a piece of paper when inspiration strikes. That, or your power goes out.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Writing Tip:
Buy a LOT of pencils (with erasers). Sharpen them, and have a few ready. Sounds silly, especially if you use a computer to write. But sometimes you just need to jot something down on a piece of paper when inspiration strikes. That, or your power goes out.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Buy a LOT of pencils (with erasers). Sharpen them, and have a few ready. Sounds silly, especially if you use a computer to write. But sometimes you just need to jot something down on a piece of paper when inspiration strikes. That, or your power goes out.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Shops in RPGs bother me sometimes. Like, I understand you need a magic shop in town to outfit your wizard, but it doesn't really make sense to have a shop like that in a destitute village where no one even practices magic. Inconsistencies like that, you know?
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
November 10, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Writing Tip:
A lot of your willpower is going to be spent getting through your first draft. It'll be a hard slog and it can feel extremely tiring. The rest of your willpower is going to be spent going back and actually making the darn thing good.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
A lot of your willpower is going to be spent getting through your first draft. It'll be a hard slog and it can feel extremely tiring. The rest of your willpower is going to be spent going back and actually making the darn thing good.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Writing Tip:
A lot of your willpower is going to be spent getting through your first draft. It'll be a hard slog and it can feel extremely tiring. The rest of your willpower is going to be spent going back and actually making the darn thing good.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
A lot of your willpower is going to be spent getting through your first draft. It'll be a hard slog and it can feel extremely tiring. The rest of your willpower is going to be spent going back and actually making the darn thing good.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Look for cliches in modern media. Keep an eye out and identify them when you see them in books or movies or plays. They can be hard to spot at first, but they are patterns by design. By gaining that experience, you can avoid them in your own work.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Look for cliches in modern media. Keep an eye out and identify them when you see them in books or movies or plays. They can be hard to spot at first, but they are patterns by design. By gaining that experience, you can avoid them in your own work.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Writing Tip:
Look for cliches in modern media. Keep an eye out and identify them when you see them in books or movies or plays. They can be hard to spot at first, but they are patterns by design. By gaining that experience, you can avoid them in your own work.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Look for cliches in modern media. Keep an eye out and identify them when you see them in books or movies or plays. They can be hard to spot at first, but they are patterns by design. By gaining that experience, you can avoid them in your own work.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
The sign of a great draft is that you are absolutely sick and tired of reading it. That you've spent so much time with every single word that the idea of reading it front-to-back again gives you the shivers. Not that you hate it, but that you need a break.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
The sign of a great draft is that you are absolutely sick and tired of reading it. That you've spent so much time with every single word that the idea of reading it front-to-back again gives you the shivers. Not that you hate it, but that you need a break.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Writing Tip:
The sign of a great draft is that you are absolutely sick and tired of reading it. That you've spent so much time with every single word that the idea of reading it front-to-back again gives you the shivers. Not that you hate it, but that you need a break.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
The sign of a great draft is that you are absolutely sick and tired of reading it. That you've spent so much time with every single word that the idea of reading it front-to-back again gives you the shivers. Not that you hate it, but that you need a break.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
A strong session 0 isn't just about character creation. It's about giving your players all the lore they need to situate themselves in the world. And to help answer any helpful questions they might have so that when you dump them into the narrative, they're not asking 101 questions.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
November 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
If there is one thing in RPGs that REALLY bugs me, it's those moments where an NPC says 'follow me to the next quest objective!' and then walks as slowly as humanly possible to get there. You can't rush ahead. Can't meet them there. You have to follow the slow bastard there.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
November 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Writing Tip:
You don't always have to rewrite your entire story if something isn't working. That can be like burning down a house because you don't like the bathroom tiles. Dig deep. Find the issue, then be surgical in fixing the problem.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
You don't always have to rewrite your entire story if something isn't working. That can be like burning down a house because you don't like the bathroom tiles. Dig deep. Find the issue, then be surgical in fixing the problem.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Writing Tip:
You don't always have to rewrite your entire story if something isn't working. That can be like burning down a house because you don't like the bathroom tiles. Dig deep. Find the issue, then be surgical in fixing the problem.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
You don't always have to rewrite your entire story if something isn't working. That can be like burning down a house because you don't like the bathroom tiles. Dig deep. Find the issue, then be surgical in fixing the problem.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Keep a separate document with lists of all your names. Don't just assume you're going to remember the name of every Character, town, and whatever else you have named in the story. Keep a log somewhere you can refer back to for easy access. It helps!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Keep a separate document with lists of all your names. Don't just assume you're going to remember the name of every Character, town, and whatever else you have named in the story. Keep a log somewhere you can refer back to for easy access. It helps!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Writing Tip:
Keep a separate document with lists of all your names. Don't just assume you're going to remember the name of every Character, town, and whatever else you have named in the story. Keep a log somewhere you can refer back to for easy access. It helps!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Keep a separate document with lists of all your names. Don't just assume you're going to remember the name of every Character, town, and whatever else you have named in the story. Keep a log somewhere you can refer back to for easy access. It helps!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Set up the limits of your world early. If you have a hyper-realistic setting where a single sword stroke can be lethal, then you probably shouldn't have super soldiers appear from nowhere and tank 1000 strikes. That likely won't fit your tone and style.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Set up the limits of your world early. If you have a hyper-realistic setting where a single sword stroke can be lethal, then you probably shouldn't have super soldiers appear from nowhere and tank 1000 strikes. That likely won't fit your tone and style.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Writing Tip:
Set up the limits of your world early. If you have a hyper-realistic setting where a single sword stroke can be lethal, then you probably shouldn't have super soldiers appear from nowhere and tank 1000 strikes. That likely won't fit your tone and style.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Set up the limits of your world early. If you have a hyper-realistic setting where a single sword stroke can be lethal, then you probably shouldn't have super soldiers appear from nowhere and tank 1000 strikes. That likely won't fit your tone and style.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Sometimes, as a GM, you should remind players that pure heroism isn't always required of them. Running is always a valid option. Being valiant against overwhelming odds can be very heroic, but it's also an easy way to get a party wipe. Live to fight another day!
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
With a few rare exceptions, just having hardcore mode in an RPG be 'you can't fast travel anymore' is just making the game more annoying, not more difficult. Sure, teleporting across the map is a crutch I guess, but you could provide alternate fast travel methods (like Morrowind!)
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
November 9, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Just a quick note to game devs, if you reward players for defeating the hardest dungeon in the game with the best weapons/armor in the game, odds are they don't need it anymore. You know, since they already beat the hardest challenge the game has. Just saying.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 AM
If you decide to include puzzles in your dungeon design, always have a backup plan. Because there's always a chance your players aren't going to figure out the solution. And if that's the only way forward, they're just going to bash their heads against the wall and lose all enthusiasm.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
November 9, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Writing Tip:
Sometimes the best thing you can do while brainstorming story ideas is to doodle absentmindedly. Just get a piece of paper and let your mind explore ideas while you draw. It can help open up more of the creative part of the brain while you think.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Sometimes the best thing you can do while brainstorming story ideas is to doodle absentmindedly. Just get a piece of paper and let your mind explore ideas while you draw. It can help open up more of the creative part of the brain while you think.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 9, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Writing Tip:
Sometimes the best thing you can do while brainstorming story ideas is to doodle absentmindedly. Just get a piece of paper and let your mind explore ideas while you draw. It can help open up more of the creative part of the brain while you think.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Sometimes the best thing you can do while brainstorming story ideas is to doodle absentmindedly. Just get a piece of paper and let your mind explore ideas while you draw. It can help open up more of the creative part of the brain while you think.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
I know folks just love running around Skyrim, but I often find it depressing. Even when travelling the roads, you're not going to come across anything truly interesting. It's often either a monster attacks you, or you meet someone on the road you could attack for... reasons.
🎮 #gaming #RPG #Skyrim
🎮 #gaming #RPG #Skyrim
November 8, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A good dungeon puzzle is one with multiple solutions. Not just 'answer my riddle', but something where any party member can contribute to progress. The big strong guy can pull and hold a lever, or the agile person can climb up to a cliff to get a clue. That sort of stuff.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
November 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Writing Tip:
When you focus too much on writing your story exactly as you have it planned, you're going to miss obvious plot holes and errors that you could have corrected in-the-moment. It's important to be flexible and allow for changes to happen naturally.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
When you focus too much on writing your story exactly as you have it planned, you're going to miss obvious plot holes and errors that you could have corrected in-the-moment. It's important to be flexible and allow for changes to happen naturally.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Writing Tip:
When you focus too much on writing your story exactly as you have it planned, you're going to miss obvious plot holes and errors that you could have corrected in-the-moment. It's important to be flexible and allow for changes to happen naturally.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
When you focus too much on writing your story exactly as you have it planned, you're going to miss obvious plot holes and errors that you could have corrected in-the-moment. It's important to be flexible and allow for changes to happen naturally.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Train the creative parts of your brain you otherwise don't use. If you're not an artist, try drawing. If you're not strong with music, come up with your book's theme song. The more you stretch those creative muscles, the stronger your overall creativity.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Train the creative parts of your brain you otherwise don't use. If you're not an artist, try drawing. If you're not strong with music, come up with your book's theme song. The more you stretch those creative muscles, the stronger your overall creativity.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
November 8, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Writing Tip:
Train the creative parts of your brain you otherwise don't use. If you're not an artist, try drawing. If you're not strong with music, come up with your book's theme song. The more you stretch those creative muscles, the stronger your overall creativity.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Train the creative parts of your brain you otherwise don't use. If you're not an artist, try drawing. If you're not strong with music, come up with your book's theme song. The more you stretch those creative muscles, the stronger your overall creativity.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky