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:
When in doubt, take a moment. Scene not working for you? Don't just barrel through. Take a moment to take stock. Re-read the scene from the beginning. See if you're missing something. You might need to start the scene from scratch, and that's okay!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
When in doubt, take a moment. Scene not working for you? Don't just barrel through. Take a moment to take stock. Re-read the scene from the beginning. See if you're missing something. You might need to start the scene from scratch, and that's okay!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 7, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Writing Tip:
When in doubt, take a moment. Scene not working for you? Don't just barrel through. Take a moment to take stock. Re-read the scene from the beginning. See if you're missing something. You might need to start the scene from scratch, and that's okay!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
When in doubt, take a moment. Scene not working for you? Don't just barrel through. Take a moment to take stock. Re-read the scene from the beginning. See if you're missing something. You might need to start the scene from scratch, and that's okay!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Changing your writing (whether rewrites or edits) is not a sign that your writing sucks. Every piece of good writing has been thoroughly edited before it saw the light of day. Don't put yourself down if you have a lot of editing to do. That's polishing!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Changing your writing (whether rewrites or edits) is not a sign that your writing sucks. Every piece of good writing has been thoroughly edited before it saw the light of day. Don't put yourself down if you have a lot of editing to do. That's polishing!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 7, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Writing Tip:
Changing your writing (whether rewrites or edits) is not a sign that your writing sucks. Every piece of good writing has been thoroughly edited before it saw the light of day. Don't put yourself down if you have a lot of editing to do. That's polishing!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Changing your writing (whether rewrites or edits) is not a sign that your writing sucks. Every piece of good writing has been thoroughly edited before it saw the light of day. Don't put yourself down if you have a lot of editing to do. That's polishing!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
An important skill to learn is when to push back against feedback and when to internalize it. It's harder than it sounds. Everyone has pride in their work, and we often feel we need to defend it. Sometimes, you do. But consider that feedback first.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
An important skill to learn is when to push back against feedback and when to internalize it. It's harder than it sounds. Everyone has pride in their work, and we often feel we need to defend it. Sometimes, you do. But consider that feedback first.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 7, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Writing Tip:
An important skill to learn is when to push back against feedback and when to internalize it. It's harder than it sounds. Everyone has pride in their work, and we often feel we need to defend it. Sometimes, you do. But consider that feedback first.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
An important skill to learn is when to push back against feedback and when to internalize it. It's harder than it sounds. Everyone has pride in their work, and we often feel we need to defend it. Sometimes, you do. But consider that feedback first.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
When in doubt, stand up and take a break. If a scene just isn't resonating with you, trying to force the scene to work often makes things works. Take a breather. Walk around the block. Give it a think before you take another swing at it. It'll help a lot.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
When in doubt, stand up and take a break. If a scene just isn't resonating with you, trying to force the scene to work often makes things works. Take a breather. Walk around the block. Give it a think before you take another swing at it. It'll help a lot.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 7, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Writing Tip:
When in doubt, stand up and take a break. If a scene just isn't resonating with you, trying to force the scene to work often makes things works. Take a breather. Walk around the block. Give it a think before you take another swing at it. It'll help a lot.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
When in doubt, stand up and take a break. If a scene just isn't resonating with you, trying to force the scene to work often makes things works. Take a breather. Walk around the block. Give it a think before you take another swing at it. It'll help a lot.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
If you've got a fantastic GM that's been running games for ages, maybe consider bringing them a gift for all their hard work. Could be something as simple as bringing a group snack to the next session. GM-ing can feel rough sometimes, and a show of support can go a long way.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 7, 2026 at 11:42 AM
If you're planning on being a GM for your group for the first time, don't overthink it. Don't stress out too much about your first session. You'll want to make a good first impression, sure, but your first game should be about getting your feet wet, not getting it perfect first try.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 7, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Look, being the GM of your group is awesome, but it's also exhausting. There's no shame in asking a player to sub in for you so that you can take a break. Have them run a one-shot or something. Because doing weekly sessions can really take a toll on your brain. Take care of yourself.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 7, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Putting paper-mario-style QTEs into a game like #Expedition33 was a stroke of genius. You can't just tank hits like other JRPGs. You gotta actually dodge or counter, and the game really rewards you for putting the time into learning that mechanic since countering is a lot stricter.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
January 7, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Putting paper-mario-style QTEs into a game like #Expedition33 was a stroke of genius. You can't just tank hits like other JRPGs. You gotta actually dodge or counter, and the game really rewards you for putting the time into learning that mechanic since countering is a lot stricter.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
I'm beginning to love #Expedition33... but the tutorials leave much to be desired. They're often either overexplained or so dense you need a degree to figure it out. Honestly, you save yourself a lot of time and heartache just doing trial and error. Which sucks for a great game.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
January 7, 2026 at 11:36 AM
I'm beginning to love #Expedition33... but the tutorials leave much to be desired. They're often either overexplained or so dense you need a degree to figure it out. Honestly, you save yourself a lot of time and heartache just doing trial and error. Which sucks for a great game.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
You know, #Expedition33 is one of the few games recently where I actually think about it while I'm doing other things. Not in an obsessive way, but casually thinking about plot and how to optimize my build. For fun. Didn't realize how much I missed that recently.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
January 7, 2026 at 11:34 AM
You know, #Expedition33 is one of the few games recently where I actually think about it while I'm doing other things. Not in an obsessive way, but casually thinking about plot and how to optimize my build. For fun. Didn't realize how much I missed that recently.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
One of the reasons why online D&D is worse than in-person is because you don't get those personal reactions. As a GM, you can get a better sense of how people are feeling when they're not on the other side of a screen. So gaging how well things are going becomes a serious challenge.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 7, 2026 at 7:39 AM
One of those major pet peeves of mine in RPGs is sidequests where you're sent out to do something, and then when you get back, you're given another sidequest in the exact same area you just came from. Why didn't you just give me both sidequests so I could do them at the same time?
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
January 7, 2026 at 5:33 AM
I really don't like when an open world game lets you fast-travel to literally any discovered marker on the map. Because once you've played enough of the game, you're no longer travelling at all. You're skipping swathes of possible content because you can just teleport there instead.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
January 7, 2026 at 1:03 AM
As a GM, remember that your players might be here to have fun, but you are too. This is a collaborative game, and players can also engage and carry some of the narrative load. You don't have to do all the heavy lifting by yourself. Ask the players for help if you need it!
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 6, 2026 at 10:33 PM
While I love raising skills by using them in an RPG, I also know that it can be abused. Take armor skills for example. Raise the skill by being hit? Just find a weak rat to wail on you while casting a healing spell every now and then. Boom, instant mastery of armor. It feels cheap.
🎮 #gaming #RPG
🎮 #gaming #RPG
January 6, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Writing Tip:
Get organized! Find a calendar (virtual is fine, but I find physical works better) and plot out when you want to get some writing done! You don't have to strictly stick to it, but a visual reminder can seriously help when it comes to motivation.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Get organized! Find a calendar (virtual is fine, but I find physical works better) and plot out when you want to get some writing done! You don't have to strictly stick to it, but a visual reminder can seriously help when it comes to motivation.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 6, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Writing Tip:
Get organized! Find a calendar (virtual is fine, but I find physical works better) and plot out when you want to get some writing done! You don't have to strictly stick to it, but a visual reminder can seriously help when it comes to motivation.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Get organized! Find a calendar (virtual is fine, but I find physical works better) and plot out when you want to get some writing done! You don't have to strictly stick to it, but a visual reminder can seriously help when it comes to motivation.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Whenever your morale begins to slip and you start doubting if your writing has any value, remember that it has value to you. Even if no one else likes it (which is insanely unlikely, by the way), there's always one person who appreciates that it was made.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Whenever your morale begins to slip and you start doubting if your writing has any value, remember that it has value to you. Even if no one else likes it (which is insanely unlikely, by the way), there's always one person who appreciates that it was made.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 6, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Writing Tip:
Whenever your morale begins to slip and you start doubting if your writing has any value, remember that it has value to you. Even if no one else likes it (which is insanely unlikely, by the way), there's always one person who appreciates that it was made.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Whenever your morale begins to slip and you start doubting if your writing has any value, remember that it has value to you. Even if no one else likes it (which is insanely unlikely, by the way), there's always one person who appreciates that it was made.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
A GM often thinks a mile-a-minute when running a session, but it's okay to take a pause and let your brain catch up. That silence as you're collecting your thoughts isn't awkward. Good players will know that you might need a sec, or even a solid breather. Because we're human too.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 6, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Writing Tip:
We all have doubts about our writing. You don't spend hours and hours on something without having at least a little doubt as to whether it was worth it. But even if no one ever sees it, you've created something new and unique. Be proud of that.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
We all have doubts about our writing. You don't spend hours and hours on something without having at least a little doubt as to whether it was worth it. But even if no one ever sees it, you've created something new and unique. Be proud of that.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 6, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Writing Tip:
We all have doubts about our writing. You don't spend hours and hours on something without having at least a little doubt as to whether it was worth it. But even if no one ever sees it, you've created something new and unique. Be proud of that.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
We all have doubts about our writing. You don't spend hours and hours on something without having at least a little doubt as to whether it was worth it. But even if no one ever sees it, you've created something new and unique. Be proud of that.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
Vary the action and dialogue in your scenes. It can be tempting to have all-action-all-the-time, or dialogue that seems to go on for hours. But even high-octane action can get boring if overused. Variety in your scenes is the spice of life!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Vary the action and dialogue in your scenes. It can be tempting to have all-action-all-the-time, or dialogue that seems to go on for hours. But even high-octane action can get boring if overused. Variety in your scenes is the spice of life!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 6, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Writing Tip:
Vary the action and dialogue in your scenes. It can be tempting to have all-action-all-the-time, or dialogue that seems to go on for hours. But even high-octane action can get boring if overused. Variety in your scenes is the spice of life!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Vary the action and dialogue in your scenes. It can be tempting to have all-action-all-the-time, or dialogue that seems to go on for hours. But even high-octane action can get boring if overused. Variety in your scenes is the spice of life!
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
A perfect scene is often a boring scene. Having a flawless dialogue where everything goes as planned gets stale fast. Have someone stumble while they walk because of a shocking revelation, or sneeze in the middle of a sentence because they have allergies.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
A perfect scene is often a boring scene. Having a flawless dialogue where everything goes as planned gets stale fast. Have someone stumble while they walk because of a shocking revelation, or sneeze in the middle of a sentence because they have allergies.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 6, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Writing Tip:
A perfect scene is often a boring scene. Having a flawless dialogue where everything goes as planned gets stale fast. Have someone stumble while they walk because of a shocking revelation, or sneeze in the middle of a sentence because they have allergies.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
A perfect scene is often a boring scene. Having a flawless dialogue where everything goes as planned gets stale fast. Have someone stumble while they walk because of a shocking revelation, or sneeze in the middle of a sentence because they have allergies.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
Writing Tip:
As tempting as it is, try to avoid using the weather to set the tone of your scene. Not all sad scenes need to take place while it's raining. Not all happy scenes take place during a cloudless sunny day. Use that too often, and your reader will notice.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
As tempting as it is, try to avoid using the weather to set the tone of your scene. Not all sad scenes need to take place while it's raining. Not all happy scenes take place during a cloudless sunny day. Use that too often, and your reader will notice.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
January 6, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Writing Tip:
As tempting as it is, try to avoid using the weather to set the tone of your scene. Not all sad scenes need to take place while it's raining. Not all happy scenes take place during a cloudless sunny day. Use that too often, and your reader will notice.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
As tempting as it is, try to avoid using the weather to set the tone of your scene. Not all sad scenes need to take place while it's raining. Not all happy scenes take place during a cloudless sunny day. Use that too often, and your reader will notice.
#writing #writingtips #Booksky
As a GM, don't forget your colors. When describing things to your players, a strong color is often a great place to start. And if you're improv-ing something, beginning with a color not only helps give a great visual, but buys you time to think of the more specific details.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 6, 2026 at 7:48 AM
If you're going to have a music playlist on while you're running a session, make sure you keep an eye on that, or at the very least have playlists separated by tone. Nothing kills the mood of a tense fight more than when the wacky joke music suddenly starts blaring out of nowhere.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 6, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Sometimes, your players in a session are going to jump to conclusions about the plot. Aaaaand sometimes those conclusions are actually a lot cooler than the plot twist you had planned. No shame in pretending that was the plan all along. As long as you got the improv chops to pull it off.
#D&D #TTRPG
#D&D #TTRPG
January 6, 2026 at 7:45 AM