Running the series of one-shots has been tougher than I expected it to be. It's been a challenge in a good way and brought up issues I've never experienced in a campaign. It's been really interesting difference and I hope some of these lessons help you in a way!
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3. Too complex - I found that having a defined goal has helped my group be more focused; it’s easy to bring them back to the point. This is a problem I've fixed recently, and it works really well, so if you feel like your players might get carried away with something, trust your gut and simplify it!

2. Chosen one - Having only one character that can solve an issue works in a campaign as their moment to shine, but it doesn't work as well in a one-shot. It can leave players feeling like they don’t have much input. I’d recommend making issues more maluable, so any player can change the outcome.

1. Too linear - I’ve noticed I lean towards making a one-shot linear to keep it short, but with repeated use it can make the one-shots boring and predictable. See if mixing up a linear path helps make for a more interesting and dynamic one-shot session.

Here are some of the mistakes I've seen myself make and how to avoid making the same!

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Let me know if you'd like to see anything else!

The floating orb - This magical artefact has stood the test of time for as long as anyone can remember. Metal rings orbit around it but when certain people step near the rings spin faster so they can’t touch the orb.

Is this something from another dimension? A work of an artificer?

The Stone Circle - This stone circle looks unremarkable at first. If someone touches the centre stone it teleports anyone within the stone circle into another plane of existence.

Who was this made to transport? Is it a backdoor into a wizard's secret tower entrance or a fae portal?

The Giant sword - At first, it looks too large to not be carved of stone. Then as you get closer it becomes clear it’s quite literally a giant sword. Chipped and battered it towers over the landscape.

Was it left over from an ancient battle from an age of larger races? Or a sword left by the gods?

I hope you find some of these point helpful, even as a DM with 10 years under my belt, I only noticed this as I came to analyse how I could improve a recent one-shot. Everything is a balance so take what sticks with you and leave what doesn't!

Sometimes things don't go to plan - that's okay!

Trust yourself and your players to find creative solutions, improv is your friend. The group I currently DM had so much fun with moral conflict, while I thought I may have f*cked up, they enjoyed the no combat and getting to make their own choice.

Don't be afraid to let players fail

It only makes the world all the more realistic if players find hitches. Finding solutions to fuck ups is part of the fun and allows the players to make their own choice and have consequences. The fun comes from allowing them the choice of fixing it.

Don't give players all the puzzle pieces

I recently made the mistake of giving players a "recommended" route for an escort mission. I had planned for more routes to allow them agency but they went with the recommended. I should have allowed them to plan a route themselves to allow for agency.

Give players problems with no solutions.

This doesn’t mean making problems impossible to solve, it means giving them a puzzle you don’t have a set answer to or an encounter that can go any number of ways. Allow the players to come up with creative ideas for how to fix issues.

I'll be posting bits on TTRPG inspiration, prompts, tips and encounter ideas, including worldbuilding, quest-making, NPCs and inspirational scenes.

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