It's a paraphrased Ira Glass quote, where he is talks about how to succeed in creative work. www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/ira-glass-success-daniel-sax/
Red king studios You know, he's actually said that he was encouraged by his family around him to be creative a lot when he was younger, but that he recognises that that is the exception rather than the rule in our culture.
When documentaries are made about this generation of DnD, Matt Colville will be one of the names mentiond of the giants that helped the hobby rise to its peak.
Same. When he said "people might want to keep you down" reminded me when I was starting a campaign as the DM and I had a player tell me how great their last DM was...
"We develop taste long before we develop skill." Wise words Matt. I have watched your videos since I discovered them about a year ago. I like them because alot of your ideas are applicable not just to D&D and game mastering. But also to writing in general. :) I'd like to say I appreciate the work you put forth and the experience you bring to the topics you cover. :D
Matt: "There's a lot of reasons why you--yes, I'm talking to YOU--aren't running D&D right now." Me, having just finished running a five-hour D&D session four hours ago: ...................................................YEAH I SHOULD BE RUNNING D&D RIGHT NOW!!
Hollow Cat :( I don't know if roll20 is a good place to find a dnd group but you should give it a try. Also I think there are some subreddits that can help you find a group.
In a community of others trying to express their own ideas, it can be much more difficult to be heard. Sadly mcdms community can do that to you. You're better off seeking validation and feedback from people YOU care about than random DND playing strangers
@@nolangibson3673 I appreciate the offer, but I have only within the last month or so gotten to the point where I will share the world I've spent 20+ years making with my wife and three closest friends. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to share it more publicly.
One thing I've always felt: ego can be a very powerful tool when it comes to creativity. Constantly believing you're the best at something isn't healthy, but believing you're one of the best just for a little while? Just while you're working? That gets things done. As far as DMing goes, it took me 5 attempts before I finally actually started running a good game. First time was a jokey crapshoot game. Second was another system that blew up in my face cause I had no idea how to run it. Third was my first time in Starfinder that I overprepared for, only for it to fall apart due to scheduling. Fourth was a small game with just two players, but gradually it was no longer taken seriously. Fifth was running a module, and it actually was the first time I successfully ran and completed a game. Now I'm DMing an original game of my own and it's going really well. It's fairly sandboxy, and channels like yours have helped me feel a lot more ready when running it.
"You might think you don't know anyone who wants to play..." I started DMing with the help of this channel. I asked 12 people if they wanted to play thinking I'd convince four. I now run for eight players in two different groups that meet every week. They want to play, they want you to ask, and they'll reward you over and over when they smile and laugh while playing through the story that was just an idea in your head you thought might be cool.
i've had multiple multi-year games, even with some of the same people. DM'd for ~20 years over ~6 different TTRPG editions. i hand-write all my stuff, world and campaigns both.... I still feel like i suck, often. We are always our biggest critics. If your friends keep coming back to the table, it's because they are enjoying themselves and you're doing something right (My best friend and longest gaming partner is the one who said this).
"It doesn't mean you were wrong and you should stop; it means the opposite. It means you gotta keep doing it." Amen. A winner isn't someone who never lost. A winner is something who never let losing stop them.
Thanks man. When I was a kid, my dad once told me that I shouldn't live off my art, that I would probably starve. I see now years later that he just wanted his son to live a comfortable life, but at the time that really struck me, and stuck with me. But so what, I didn't become an art major, because I honestly liked something else. And guess what, 2 weeks ago I finally ran MY first one-shot, inspired by your goblin tomb. For 1 veteran (my regular DM), 1 experienced, and 2 new players. And we all had a ton of fun.
@@auail5594 I definitely didn't just include the word "illustrator" for context on why I feel so moved by this video. 👍 Thanks for keeping my ego in line!
Au Ail so you thought putting someone down for taking pride in being an artist, in a video about being proud for being an artist, was a good idea? Seriously, dude, fuck off
Being proud of what you do is a good thing. People need to stop guilting others for this. You are an artist! Celebrate! You have the courage to put yourself out there and allow your work to be judged. This means you are brave. So you are talented, proud, and brave. And I'm proud of you!
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a writer. I used to write my own short stories, and I'd take my writing to school and work on that instead of paying attention. I even wrote a book when I was in high school (never published). When I graduated, my father pushed me to get an "real job" to fall back on, because "art rarely pays the bills." Twelve years of college later, I'm an accountant with a Master's in taxation, a bachelor's in accounting, and three associates degrees. . . ALL of them Summa Cum Laude. I've had three internships at different accounting firms, two of which didn't turn into anything. After this past tax season, I fell into a deep, suicidal depression and have been home on unpaid medical leave for the last six months. I don't like my job (but it's better than working in fast food), I don't like my life, and I don't like myself. Until recently, I've been thinking about suicide at least two or three times a week (and I own handguns). I don't know what's recently changed, but I do know I've been DM'ing and playing D&D more often. I've been inventing NPCs, writing up character backgrounds, and expanding the details on the fantasy world I've been crafting since high school. I've also been reading more. Poetry, comics, and classics like Treasure Island. I think I'm rediscovering my love of reading. And maybe I should be writing instead of crunching numbers.
I sort of had the same experience in my youth. I wrote my first novel at age 40. I've got three published now at age 50. You can do this. Give it a go. it's worth it.
I doubt you will see this in the sea of youtube comments, but you have some really creative, interesting, engaging, unique, and just plan good ideas. I don't say this enough but in light of your video, and trying to be the change I want to see, there it is. Great stuff Matt, keep it up :)
I love when Matt just has an Idea randomly and makes it into a video. Just Imagine him sitting in front of his laptop reading through the "bla bla" under his latest Video and some jerk wrote "u sooo ful off yoself!" And him going like: "Hmmmm Hubris... I had a thought about this already.... Hold my Kickstarter money!! I have a script to write!" And smashing the video together within an afternoon. Maybe my favourite video so far btw
Don't know why I haven't discovered this video earlier. Your entire channel practically changed my life, and watching all of your video and advice, took me from running my first oneshots on a small town where the blacksmith's daughter was kidnapped, way into me being a full time DM, with my own unique setting and campaigns, and paying my bills by being creative on something that I love. This video is entirely the last two years of my life, being masterfully presented by you, arguably my mentor. Thanks Matt! Cheers to you!
That's awesome. Much respect for pursuing your passion and doing something you love. I am not brave enough to do it, but my life is better, much better, when I allow the stories in my head to take over and share themselves through me.
I was getting stifled by the “classic medieval fantasy” setting and decided to start doing Spelljammer. That was the fix I needed! Don’t let d&d stifle your creativity! Switch it up if needed!
@@bhatfield1417 i personally have memory deleting gremlins, i can think up genuinely good ideas and dialogues, but when i get placed at that table it all disappears and my creativity hides; i would love to try more in dnd settings but i've relented my creativity to writing, a few times i tried things like keeping notes, but you can't predetermine every question a human will ask and it leaves you feeling like your the worst because the words just dont come when you need them. which is so strange to me because while im fairly introverted i dont feel anxiety from public speaking
Hey, let's do it. My DND game became stagnant because I can't find the will to prep it well and I don't want to prep it bad. "No DND is better than bad DND". So, let's do it :D
@@thunderborn3231 Every novelist has their own style of writing dialogue or narrating a scene. So too with gm'ing. Sometimes I prepare elaborate linear stories with narrations. Other games I just write down 2-3 feelings that I want my players to have during a session along with a couple main NPC's and their motivations. Still other games, I might focus on only tactile elements--maps, setting, rooms, names, enemies, traps, etc. None of us prep everything. I cannot count the number of times my players wanted to know the life story of some random NPC that I made simply as an "extra" on the set. My advice: find a story setting or genre that already exists that you find utterly fascinating. Then, go find a rpg game system that facilitates that (e.g. if super heroes >> Mutants & Masterminds; if action films ala Die Hard >> D20 Modern; if twilight zone >> Chronicles of Darkness). Then, a lot of that stuff will feel more second nature and it won't feel -as- scary living in that world with your players.
Whenever I see anyone who’s on the fence about DMing, either in person on Facebook or a forum, I link your TH-cam channel. More so than any other TH-camr out there, you give people the tools and confidence to try. Your videos were integral in shaping how I DM when I picked up dnd after a 15 year hiatus.
Thank you. I don't know how but I missed this video when it first came out (sometimes the algorithm provides). This is exactly the sort of pep talk that younger me needed, and heck, older me still needs. Thank you!
Often times, it can be hard to contribute to a world in which there are so many ideas, so many people who do what you are doing what better. It is this idea of creativeness that I think stands apart: You don't have to create the greatest story or NPC's, or run the longest campaign. As long as you and your table are enjoying what you are doing, you are succeeded, and you are an artist. And, if you decide to share what you have done or your knowledge to a wider audience, I can almost guarantee there will be an audience out there. You just have to work at it, and get used to putting yourself out there (That's the step I am on now)
"I'm terrible at plot, that's why I DM, my players tell me what happens" This calls to me personally :D I feel exactly the same. Starting me 3rd campaign as a DM soon.
Damn...i actually needed to hear this. I stayed up doing an outline for my second ever TH-cam video and I was feeling alot of what Matt said here. Thank you. I needed this
When i was a wee lad, i convinced a friend to audition at the local musical theatre group with me. His dad was so, so angry. Hadn't thought about this for years, but this video reminded me. Screw that guy! Thanks for the validation, Matt. Gave me the feels.
You've been an inspiration and a standout voice in gaming for me since finding you. I appreciate the video as a DM and just as a creative person in general!
I DM'd for the first time (Play by Post) two days ago, my dnd player experience being halfway through Mines of Flapdoodle and a lot of Critical Role. I messed up in a few minor places but overall I think I did a good job. Thanks to this channel and channels like this.
a friend sent me this in the middle of an existential crisis and it changed everything for me. i just want to thank you mat, i really needed to hear this and more than anything i needed it at this moment, the timing is almost unbelievable. thank you.
Don't start art to make money. Start art to entertain. If you get really good and popular, you might consider making some money from it. If you make art for fun, there's really no cost to doing it.
@@eline8087 you know what, I don't really think that's 100% true. I play music very seriously and I've dabbled in composing (and more recently, I've gotten into DMing), but I've not really bought into the "true heartfelt emotions" stuff. I do it because it's fun. I fully believe you can make art without having any serious message to spread or anything to express through your art. Limiting art to "heartfelt emotions" rejects the idea of picking up your instrument to practice because you just heard an amazing piece of music and you have to learn the solo. In that instance - you're not expressing anything at all. Any emotions are purely manufactured by the listener. When I, personally, get on a stage, I'm not generally expecting to have a profound experience. I want to play the technical runs because they are fast and fun to play, and I want to play the slow parts because they're pretty. And, most importantly, I want to show off what I've spent my time preparing. Not trying to belittle the heavy stuff, but I don't feel like art should be given this stipulation that in order to write a good melody, you have convey the idea of of grief or have some kind of tragic backstory to explain why you're writing it. I think the best piece of music of all time is Gustov Holst's Planets. When you listen to Mars, is Holst attempting to convey a "true and heartfelt message?"
@@natekite7795 I agree with what you say there ^_^ definitely not all music (or art, for that matter) is about conveying very deep and heavy emotions, which is probably why "heartfelt" was a poorly chosen word, in hindsight. I used to play music very seriously too, and I recognise what you're saying. My most amazing moment on stage was when I got a relatively noisy room to get completely silent because of my playing. It's only happened once, when I switched from a technically difficult part to a very fragile part, and the focus that people suddenly gave me was an extraordinary experience - they were truly listening and following the story I was telling them, and to me that felt like a very deep connection - that's what I probably meant with "heartfelt". But music is definitely also about having fun and share your joy with others, and - why not - to show off how skilled you are / how much time you spend perfecting it. It's a performance too. I, like many others, admire and enjoy good skills when I see it. Holst's Planets are indeed considered to be his greatest works (whether he liked that fact or not, lol). Mars, being the planet of war, conveys fear, anger and chaos to me. Maybe that is, in a way, also a heartfelt message - just not the sad or romantic kind. But yeah, music doesn't need to have a very deep emotion behind it to be enjoyable or considered art.
Wow, out of all the wisdom you've given us in the Running the Game series over the last 3 years, I think this video and your #83 Roleplaying have provided me the most impact, guidance, and value. Thank you so much for all your efforts and your brilliance!
This monologue made me feel good about myself for running a whole homebrew world. I have never been traditionally artsy and tabletop games have given me the chance to fill the void and be creative. Thank you Matt for all your content. You have helped me become a proficient story teller (at least proficient enough to keep 5 players hooked). You are doing a great thing by being a beacon of information and goodness in the community.
I dont know why, but I feel like I so desperately needed to hear this. I think its because truly wise advice is uniquely u common. Thank you Matt, from one artist to another
Not all art is music, writing, painting, or sculpting. If you have ever played D&D, to some extent you have been an actor. Maybe not an actor as we typically think about it, with prescribed lines and actions played out impeccably according to a script, but instead with improvised words and actions played out (sometimes sloppily and hilariously) according to what we think our characters, as we have imagined them, would most likely do in that moment. And in doing so, we become a weird combination of collaborative, in-the-moment, actors and directors, driving the story forward with each interaction that we make with the DM's world. And don't get me started if you are a DM.... 😁
My advice? You don't have to have proof on front of you that you're an artist or that you've created something. You just have to say it to yourself and *really* believe it.
This video would have made a big difference to my younger self. If I had watched this video when I was 13, I might have started running the game and writing 10 years before I finally worked up the courage to. As it stands, it makes me feel much more comfortable even now. Thank you for that Matt.
I really needed to hear that right now. I started to cry halfway through the video. Thank you for everything and especially for this. Now, I'm going to go write some stuff.
Thanks Matt, I needed to hear this pretty badly. I haven't run the game in over a year because I just didn't feel " good enough ". Listening to your message here, I suddenly realized that the feeling of inadequacy as a DM came almost entirely from the constant criticism of a single player in my group. It's incredible how outsized the effect of one person's negativity can on your life. Equally amazing is the positive impact that a person like you, Matt, can make in the lives of people you haven't even met. I'm running D&D this week. Keep up the good work, my friend.
Hey Matt? Please make more of these. Please be inspirational. I needed this right now. I've been getting told that my creative desires are little more than greed (I do want my stuff to be successful, but that just means its liked), and it was weighing me down. Thank you for throwing out a rope to grab onto
"If you give it a shot and feel embarrased later [...]" This is a great point. Whenever you look back at your past failings and think it's lacking in style or skill, it means that practice is working. You are either getting a stronger sense of style or more skillfully adept to avoid what making what you don't like. Great topic, Mr. Colville. I will return.
As a 17 year old senior who's on the road to graduate and take my first steps in my career, wanting to be a singer, maybe a voice actor, a photographer and an artist, and most importantly a creator in the D&D world so people can enjoy reading my ambitious ideas, I did need to hear this, Matt. Thank you. You will forever be, and always have been, my role model.
There are many reasons why I watch your channel. You spoke into my fears and aspirations Matt. I am a young man terrified that I am chasing a stupid dream. I can't stop chasing the moon across the sky. That star that twinkles upon the shifting sands. I turn and the open sky beckons me onward. It may be folly. But who am I to say what is and is not possible. I have tripped and fallen many times. I will do so again. You have been a river giving me a little more life than I had before. Thanks to you I have started a D&D campaign, and that has given me more than I had hoped for. You have also given me courage in my creative pursuits outside of D&D as well. One day I hope to give back a little of what you have given me, as well as to pass some of that along to others. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Matt.
Dude, you can change the terms about D&D in Matt's videos into anything you want and it is always striking. That is art and composed by a man with a creative life. Thank you Matt for sharing the experience.
This is what just I needed to hear Matthew Colville. Thank you. I’ve been DMing for my family on and off and I’ve always felt I was terrible, and it really got me down. Watching CR and TH-cam vids about D&D definitely developed my taste for GMing but didn’t give me the skill. But now my persistence has been strengthened by your wise words. I am inspired. :)
It’s been over a month (and maybe the first comment of the 2020’s) since this video came out, and I still come back to it at least every week. Thank you Ser Colville for this video and the articulation for why I am perusing a career in acting/ voice over. Without this I would never have started
Old video, so I don't know who will see this but. Hi Folks, I am a professional contemporary dancer. Which is to say I am a working artist. It is my philosophy that art is necessary for humans. To make, consume, or to otherwise in engage in. It's going to see that movie and coming home two days late and still thinking about it while making coffee. That's an art experience. You deserve art experiences. As a result, me doing my job has a small sense of humility and service to wider society to it. We need art - I am good at making art - I will make art for some of the public to engage with. The idea that it requires hubris to get on a stage is quite commonplace, but You get to define your own relationship. Please try the things you feel called to. And one last thing - one of my mantras is Make Bad Art. Sometimes its not about the product, making things is a worthwhile endeavour in and of itself.
I've never experienced any of this negativity towards wanting to make art. I'd say if the people around you are behaving like this it's time to surround yourself with new and different people.
Not really an option if you're a kid growing up with family & teachers like that, or even as an adult with a "real" job I still remember my biology A level teacher, a shrivelled and miserable battleaxe, pacing around the classroom and catching eye of my margin doodles. She snatched my workbook off me and said "I see you're one of those *creative* types," delivering the word 'creative' the same way you'd say a slur. There's a lot of evil in the world and sometimes it's not as easy as "just avoid them bro"
I think I speak for everyone when I say, thank you Matt. You are a hero... an egotistical, humble, honest, self deprecating, successful at failing and then succeeding and then failing and succeeding yet again, inspiring fellow creative. Thank you, Matt.
It's a funny thing that life does sometime, and just show you what you need when you need it. Thanks Matt, i really needed that video ! Time to go write some more :p
This was strangely timely for me, Matt. Thank you. I've spent nearly 2 years on a passion project, building a company centered around 3d terrain. It's been a difficult road full of learning stuff the hard way. I've had a lot of naysayers along the way, and at times my own voice joined that chorus. Now that it is time to share our first terrain set, I am surprised by the fact that I am afraid to do so. Two years is a good bit of time to put into something. I am afraid to discover whether or not the product will be enjoyed as much as I hope it will, and - if it isn't - that seems like it would basically mean that it was two years of my life wasted on a passion project no one else really cares about. I don't know if you actually read this, but if you do...thanks for the word of encouragement.
@matt I'm going to show this to my 10 year old autistic son after I pick him up from school. At the beginning of this year during the winter when he couldn't go outside at his school, he created an entire world with characters, history and lore. It was amazingly creative and I told him I was proud of him. Flash forward to last week and I was asking him why I haven't heard about it since and he told me that he was worried that people would fun of him about it and tell him his ideas were stupid. I gave him a speech similar in nature to this one, just not said as well. He said he understood, but I think getting some external reinforcement might do him a world of good. His Dad always has his back, so I think he is used to it, hearing it from someone else will make it stick (I hope anyway).
Pride & Prejudice makes that distinction. Vanity is concern for how others see you. Pride is concern for how you see yourself. Is Pride a virtue or a fault, Mr. Darcy?
That's a fine goddamn river if I've ever seen one.
The people are grateful
Amazing comment. Couldn't agree more!
I think about the river to my people quote all the time, I saw it on this channel for the first time.
I understood this reference, and couldn't agree more! :)
Right on
"We develop taste long before we develop skill." Now that one hit a spot...
It's a paraphrased Ira Glass quote, where he is talks about how to succeed in creative work.
www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/ira-glass-success-daniel-sax/
Matt gave the Pep-talk he wished someone gave him when he was young. And god dam it was inspiring
Red king studios You know, he's actually said that he was encouraged by his family around him to be creative a lot when he was younger, but that he recognises that that is the exception rather than the rule in our culture.
I still rewatch this regularly when I'm feeling shitty, especially when I'm feeling shitty about my GMing skills.
When documentaries are made about this generation of DnD, Matt Colville will be one of the names mentiond of the giants that helped the hobby rise to its peak.
The Twin Matt Towers
@@JohnPablob well I'm more concerned now.
"We all know we suck way before there's anything we can do about it." Truth.
“Dude, suckin’ at something is the first step to being sorta good at something.”
― Jake the Dog
Thank you, Matt
Yo what the hell are you doing here?! Hi Dad
I needed to hear this more than I realized until after I heard it.
Same, my friend. Same.
Same. When he said "people might want to keep you down" reminded me when I was starting a campaign as the DM and I had a player tell me how great their last DM was...
Phew. Same, my dudes.
Agreed 100 percent
...well, like Jake the Dog said: "Dude, sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something!"
Yes!
Words to live by.
"We develop taste long before we develop skill." Wise words Matt.
I have watched your videos since I discovered them about a year ago. I like them because alot of your ideas are applicable not just to D&D and game mastering. But also to writing in general. :)
I'd like to say I appreciate the work you put forth and the experience you bring to the topics you cover. :D
Matt: "There's a lot of reasons why you--yes, I'm talking to YOU--aren't running D&D right now."
Me, having just finished running a five-hour D&D session four hours ago: ...................................................YEAH I SHOULD BE RUNNING D&D RIGHT NOW!!
I know this feeling well.
I have not ran in almost two years.
Hollow Cat :( I don't know if roll20 is a good place to find a dnd group but you should give it a try. Also I think there are some subreddits that can help you find a group.
AHAHAHAHA so true
"Mediocracy knows nothing higher than itself. But talent always recognizes genius."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
"This man committed a murder, I can tell because his handwriting sucks and he's Mormon" -also Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
"There's a lot of reasons you aren't running D&D right now." For me, it's because it's 5:30 in the morning and my game isn't until this evening.
Good life advice cleverly disguised as gaming. It’s always good to have a Matt Colville video in your day.
The best self-help videos I've ever watched are Matt Colville videos.
good, aint he
Rather good.
It's almost like... he is a river to his people lol
"There's someone out there who needs to hear this"
Me, I was that someone.
Yeah, me too.
" When you express yourself other people might think your ideas are neat."
Definitely the hardest part for me.
Sorry for whatever happened to tarnish that creative spark, Jon.
I would read your stuff, fellow artist. Link it.
If you find your own ideas neat, at least some others will. That's a good place to start: make something you find cool.
Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but powerful beyond belief.
In a community of others trying to express their own ideas, it can be much more difficult to be heard. Sadly mcdms community can do that to you. You're better off seeking validation and feedback from people YOU care about than random DND playing strangers
@@nolangibson3673 I appreciate the offer, but I have only within the last month or so gotten to the point where I will share the world I've spent 20+ years making with my wife and three closest friends. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to share it more publicly.
This video came out 10 months ago and I still listen to it on occasion when I'm in a writing slump. Thank you Matt for the art you give.
Welp, here we are ! 😁
One thing I've always felt: ego can be a very powerful tool when it comes to creativity. Constantly believing you're the best at something isn't healthy, but believing you're one of the best just for a little while? Just while you're working? That gets things done.
As far as DMing goes, it took me 5 attempts before I finally actually started running a good game. First time was a jokey crapshoot game. Second was another system that blew up in my face cause I had no idea how to run it. Third was my first time in Starfinder that I overprepared for, only for it to fall apart due to scheduling. Fourth was a small game with just two players, but gradually it was no longer taken seriously. Fifth was running a module, and it actually was the first time I successfully ran and completed a game. Now I'm DMing an original game of my own and it's going really well. It's fairly sandboxy, and channels like yours have helped me feel a lot more ready when running it.
"You might think you don't know anyone who wants to play..." I started DMing with the help of this channel. I asked 12 people if they wanted to play thinking I'd convince four. I now run for eight players in two different groups that meet every week. They want to play, they want you to ask, and they'll reward you over and over when they smile and laugh while playing through the story that was just an idea in your head you thought might be cool.
Thank you! 💛
Sobbingly likes this video while feeling like maybe I’m not such a failure after all.
Blues Light I’m literally crying on a train right now listening to this.
i've had multiple multi-year games, even with some of the same people. DM'd for ~20 years over ~6 different TTRPG editions. i hand-write all my stuff, world and campaigns both....
I still feel like i suck, often. We are always our biggest critics.
If your friends keep coming back to the table, it's because they are enjoying themselves and you're doing something right (My best friend and longest gaming partner is the one who said this).
@@snakejawz Great comment!
"It doesn't mean you were wrong and you should stop; it means the opposite. It means you gotta keep doing it."
Amen. A winner isn't someone who never lost. A winner is something who never let losing stop them.
Yell this. More people need to hear you.
Thanks man.
When I was a kid, my dad once told me that I shouldn't live off my art, that I would probably starve.
I see now years later that he just wanted his son to live a comfortable life, but at the time that really struck me, and stuck with me.
But so what, I didn't become an art major, because I honestly liked something else. And guess what, 2 weeks ago I finally ran MY first one-shot, inspired by your goblin tomb. For 1 veteran (my regular DM), 1 experienced, and 2 new players.
And we all had a ton of fun.
And I bet it was awesome for all of your players!
noyce
Welcome aboard. You’re a Matt Colville success story and I bet you’ll be a great DM.
"And we all had a ton of fun."
Congratulations, you did NOT suck. :)
Now, do it again ... a tiny bit better. :)
"We all know that we suck long before there's anything we can do about it."
That's a fantastic way to put it. Spot on.
I never thought a Matt Colville video would make this illustrator want to cry.
@@auail5594 Full of Ego, I tell you!
@@auail5594 You mean my H U B R I S ?
@@auail5594 I definitely didn't just include the word "illustrator" for context on why I feel so moved by this video. 👍 Thanks for keeping my ego in line!
Au Ail so you thought putting someone down for taking pride in being an artist, in a video about being proud for being an artist, was a good idea? Seriously, dude, fuck off
Being proud of what you do is a good thing. People need to stop guilting others for this. You are an artist! Celebrate! You have the courage to put yourself out there and allow your work to be judged. This means you are brave. So you are talented, proud, and brave. And I'm proud of you!
BECAUSE HE IS A RIVER TO HIS PEOPLE
This may be the greatest advice on expression I've ever seen, and, as always, I dig your style of presentation. Thanks, Matt.
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a writer. I used to write my own short stories, and I'd take my writing to school and work on that instead of paying attention. I even wrote a book when I was in high school (never published). When I graduated, my father pushed me to get an "real job" to fall back on, because "art rarely pays the bills."
Twelve years of college later, I'm an accountant with a Master's in taxation, a bachelor's in accounting, and three associates degrees. . . ALL of them Summa Cum Laude. I've had three internships at different accounting firms, two of which didn't turn into anything. After this past tax season, I fell into a deep, suicidal depression and have been home on unpaid medical leave for the last six months.
I don't like my job (but it's better than working in fast food), I don't like my life, and I don't like myself. Until recently, I've been thinking about suicide at least two or three times a week (and I own handguns). I don't know what's recently changed, but I do know I've been DM'ing and playing D&D more often. I've been inventing NPCs, writing up character backgrounds, and expanding the details on the fantasy world I've been crafting since high school.
I've also been reading more. Poetry, comics, and classics like Treasure Island. I think I'm rediscovering my love of reading. And maybe I should be writing instead of crunching numbers.
When you go back to writing, you can send me some of your works. I love to read too.
I sort of had the same experience in my youth. I wrote my first novel at age 40. I've got three published now at age 50.
You can do this. Give it a go. it's worth it.
Just hit play. "Leading a creative life. - I figure there's someone out there who needs to hear this." Oh boy. Here we go. This ones gonna hurt.
I doubt you will see this in the sea of youtube comments, but you have some really creative, interesting, engaging, unique, and just plan good ideas. I don't say this enough but in light of your video, and trying to be the change I want to see, there it is. Great stuff Matt, keep it up :)
Mr. banisher of hope just imbued me with some hope.
I love when Matt just has an Idea randomly and makes it into a video. Just Imagine him sitting in front of his laptop reading through the "bla bla" under his latest Video and some jerk wrote "u sooo ful off yoself!" And him going like:
"Hmmmm Hubris... I had a thought about this already.... Hold my Kickstarter money!! I have a script to write!" And smashing the video together within an afternoon.
Maybe my favourite video so far btw
I literally cried when watching this. I didn't think I needed to hear it, but I guess I did. Thanks!
And somehow this came out when I needed such a talk. Thanks.
Don't know why I haven't discovered this video earlier. Your entire channel practically changed my life, and watching all of your video and advice, took me from running my first oneshots on a small town where the blacksmith's daughter was kidnapped, way into me being a full time DM, with my own unique setting and campaigns, and paying my bills by being creative on something that I love.
This video is entirely the last two years of my life, being masterfully presented by you, arguably my mentor.
Thanks Matt! Cheers to you!
That's awesome. Much respect for pursuing your passion and doing something you love. I am not brave enough to do it, but my life is better, much better, when I allow the stories in my head to take over and share themselves through me.
I'm having trouble swallowing the "you gotta do it more" pill... I know it is what I must do, my players deserve it, I deserve it... I must try
I was getting stifled by the “classic medieval fantasy” setting and decided to start doing Spelljammer. That was the fix I needed!
Don’t let d&d stifle your creativity! Switch it up if needed!
@@bhatfield1417 i personally have memory deleting gremlins, i can think up genuinely good ideas and dialogues, but when i get placed at that table it all disappears and my creativity hides; i would love to try more in dnd settings but i've relented my creativity to writing, a few times i tried things like keeping notes, but you can't predetermine every question a human will ask and it leaves you feeling like your the worst because the words just dont come when you need them. which is so strange to me because while im fairly introverted i dont feel anxiety from public speaking
Hey, let's do it. My DND game became stagnant because I can't find the will to prep it well and I don't want to prep it bad. "No DND is better than bad DND". So, let's do it :D
@@thunderborn3231 Every novelist has their own style of writing dialogue or narrating a scene. So too with gm'ing. Sometimes I prepare elaborate linear stories with narrations. Other games I just write down 2-3 feelings that I want my players to have during a session along with a couple main NPC's and their motivations. Still other games, I might focus on only tactile elements--maps, setting, rooms, names, enemies, traps, etc.
None of us prep everything. I cannot count the number of times my players wanted to know the life story of some random NPC that I made simply as an "extra" on the set.
My advice: find a story setting or genre that already exists that you find utterly fascinating. Then, go find a rpg game system that facilitates that (e.g. if super heroes >> Mutants & Masterminds; if action films ala Die Hard >> D20 Modern; if twilight zone >> Chronicles of Darkness). Then, a lot of that stuff will feel more second nature and it won't feel -as- scary living in that world with your players.
Whenever I see anyone who’s on the fence about DMing, either in person on Facebook or a forum, I link your TH-cam channel. More so than any other TH-camr out there, you give people the tools and confidence to try. Your videos were integral in shaping how I DM when I picked up dnd after a 15 year hiatus.
I have done the same thing many times.
I know I’m not alone when I say: I needed to hear this today. Thanks Matt.
This is one of the greatest pep talks for artists that I've ever seen.
"there are lots of reasons you, yes I'm talking to you"
Mat Colville watches me sleep, confirmed. I'm scared.
Great inspirational speech :)
Not gonna lie, as someone who does art for a living, I teared up. This sort of thing needs to be said more.
I needed to hear every word of this today of all days. Thank you.
I have spoken.
Thank you. I don't know how but I missed this video when it first came out (sometimes the algorithm provides). This is exactly the sort of pep talk that younger me needed, and heck, older me still needs. Thank you!
Often times, it can be hard to contribute to a world in which there are so many ideas, so many people who do what you are doing what better. It is this idea of creativeness that I think stands apart: You don't have to create the greatest story or NPC's, or run the longest campaign. As long as you and your table are enjoying what you are doing, you are succeeded, and you are an artist. And, if you decide to share what you have done or your knowledge to a wider audience, I can almost guarantee there will be an audience out there. You just have to work at it, and get used to putting yourself out there (That's the step I am on now)
"... because we develop taste long before we develop skill."
Thank you Matt Colville, this video helped a lot.
I think your ideas are interesting Matt. Thanks for putting this up.💪
"I'm terrible at plot, that's why I DM, my players tell me what happens"
This calls to me personally :D I feel exactly the same. Starting me 3rd campaign as a DM soon.
Boy does this ever apply to musicians as well. There's a lot of gold in this one Matt. Thanks for the pep talk. Now it's off to rehearsal.
Perhaps it’s not ego, arrogance, or hubris. Perhaps it’s the desire to be a river to your people. ❤
Damn...i actually needed to hear this. I stayed up doing an outline for my second ever TH-cam video and I was feeling alot of what Matt said here. Thank you. I needed this
When i was a wee lad, i convinced a friend to audition at the local musical theatre group with me. His dad was so, so angry. Hadn't thought about this for years, but this video reminded me. Screw that guy! Thanks for the validation, Matt. Gave me the feels.
You've been an inspiration and a standout voice in gaming for me since finding you. I appreciate the video as a DM and just as a creative person in general!
I keep coming back to this video. It's a really great message to hear and remind myself to keep pushing forward even if things aren't perfect.
I DM'd for the first time (Play by Post) two days ago, my dnd player experience being halfway through Mines of Flapdoodle and a lot of Critical Role. I messed up in a few minor places but overall I think I did a good job. Thanks to this channel and channels like this.
Congrats on your first DM experience. Keep. Doing. It.
@@vengeancecookie Thanks, I will!
a friend sent me this in the middle of an existential crisis and it changed everything for me.
i just want to thank you mat, i really needed to hear this and more than anything i needed it at this moment, the timing is almost unbelievable.
thank you.
Don't start art to make money.
Start art to entertain.
If you get really good and popular, you might consider making some money from it. If you make art for fun, there's really no cost to doing it.
If anything, I'd say art is about conveying your true and heartfelt emotions and ideas, either to yourself or others
@@eline8087 you know what, I don't really think that's 100% true.
I play music very seriously and I've dabbled in composing (and more recently, I've gotten into DMing), but I've not really bought into the "true heartfelt emotions" stuff. I do it because it's fun. I fully believe you can make art without having any serious message to spread or anything to express through your art.
Limiting art to "heartfelt emotions" rejects the idea of picking up your instrument to practice because you just heard an amazing piece of music and you have to learn the solo. In that instance - you're not expressing anything at all. Any emotions are purely manufactured by the listener. When I, personally, get on a stage, I'm not generally expecting to have a profound experience. I want to play the technical runs because they are fast and fun to play, and I want to play the slow parts because they're pretty. And, most importantly, I want to show off what I've spent my time preparing.
Not trying to belittle the heavy stuff, but I don't feel like art should be given this stipulation that in order to write a good melody, you have convey the idea of of grief or have some kind of tragic backstory to explain why you're writing it.
I think the best piece of music of all time is Gustov Holst's Planets. When you listen to Mars, is Holst attempting to convey a "true and heartfelt message?"
@@natekite7795 I agree with what you say there ^_^ definitely not all music (or art, for that matter) is about conveying very deep and heavy emotions, which is probably why "heartfelt" was a poorly chosen word, in hindsight. I used to play music very seriously too, and I recognise what you're saying.
My most amazing moment on stage was when I got a relatively noisy room to get completely silent because of my playing. It's only happened once, when I switched from a technically difficult part to a very fragile part, and the focus that people suddenly gave me was an extraordinary experience - they were truly listening and following the story I was telling them, and to me that felt like a very deep connection - that's what I probably meant with "heartfelt".
But music is definitely also about having fun and share your joy with others, and - why not - to show off how skilled you are / how much time you spend perfecting it. It's a performance too. I, like many others, admire and enjoy good skills when I see it.
Holst's Planets are indeed considered to be his greatest works (whether he liked that fact or not, lol). Mars, being the planet of war, conveys fear, anger and chaos to me. Maybe that is, in a way, also a heartfelt message - just not the sad or romantic kind. But yeah, music doesn't need to have a very deep emotion behind it to be enjoyable or considered art.
If you make art for fun, there's really no cost doing it... Nice.
“You develop taste long before skill.”
Brother, if that ain’t gospel.
You and your from-the-heart thematic videos are a blessing, Matt
Wow, out of all the wisdom you've given us in the Running the Game series over the last 3 years, I think this video and your #83 Roleplaying have provided me the most impact, guidance, and value. Thank you so much for all your efforts and your brilliance!
I know I'm not the only one that's going to really appreciate this video.
This monologue made me feel good about myself for running a whole homebrew world.
I have never been traditionally artsy and tabletop games have given me the chance to fill the void and be creative.
Thank you Matt for all your content. You have helped me become a proficient story teller (at least proficient enough to keep 5 players hooked). You are doing a great thing by being a beacon of information and goodness in the community.
A couple of years I was curious about D&D so I searched and found you, and then you push me to become a DM, thank you Matt is been an amazing ride.
Thank you, Matt.
I dont know why, but I feel like I so desperately needed to hear this. I think its because truly wise advice is uniquely u common. Thank you Matt, from one artist to another
This was one of the greatest Mat Colville videos ever and one I think everyone needs to hear at certain stages in their life.
As someone who lives the creative life when training other the line I like to use is 'its not a weakness to know your strengths'.
Why do I feel like this is for me, even though I've never created anything artistic? Maybe it's time for some self evaluation ...
Not all art is music, writing, painting, or sculpting. If you have ever played D&D, to some extent you have been an actor. Maybe not an actor as we typically think about it, with prescribed lines and actions played out impeccably according to a script, but instead with improvised words and actions played out (sometimes sloppily and hilariously) according to what we think our characters, as we have imagined them, would most likely do in that moment. And in doing so, we become a weird combination of collaborative, in-the-moment, actors and directors, driving the story forward with each interaction that we make with the DM's world.
And don't get me started if you are a DM.... 😁
My advice? You don't have to have proof on front of you that you're an artist or that you've created something. You just have to say it to yourself and *really* believe it.
because it is for you
Have you ever thought about doing a Ted talk! My gosh man you are amazing.
This video would have made a big difference to my younger self. If I had watched this video when I was 13, I might have started running the game and writing 10 years before I finally worked up the courage to. As it stands, it makes me feel much more comfortable even now. Thank you for that Matt.
"We develop taste, way before we develop skill"
-Matthew Colville, 2019
Man, I wish I knew what it was like to not have imposter syndrome.
You're great Matt. Keep doing what you're doing.
I really needed to hear that right now. I started to cry halfway through the video. Thank you for everything and especially for this. Now, I'm going to go write some stuff.
Thanks Matt, I needed to hear this pretty badly. I haven't run the game in over a year because I just didn't feel " good enough ". Listening to your message here, I suddenly realized that the feeling of inadequacy as a DM came almost entirely from the constant criticism of a single player in my group. It's incredible how outsized the effect of one person's negativity can on your life. Equally amazing is the positive impact that a person like you, Matt, can make in the lives of people you haven't even met.
I'm running D&D this week.
Keep up the good work, my friend.
Thank you for this. I say this as someone who feels they have failed every creative endeavor.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to think this, but I feel like this video was made just for me. Thanks man.
Thank you! That was a real boost and exactly what I needed to hear today.
Hey Matt? Please make more of these. Please be inspirational. I needed this right now. I've been getting told that my creative desires are little more than greed (I do want my stuff to be successful, but that just means its liked), and it was weighing me down. Thank you for throwing out a rope to grab onto
I really did need this Matt. Many thanks from a DM with low self-esteem.
"If you give it a shot and feel embarrased later [...]"
This is a great point. Whenever you look back at your past failings and think it's lacking in style or skill, it means that practice is working.
You are either getting a stronger sense of style or more skillfully adept to avoid what making what you don't like.
Great topic, Mr. Colville. I will return.
from your fans: Thank You. truly
As a 17 year old senior who's on the road to graduate and take my first steps in my career, wanting to be a singer, maybe a voice actor, a photographer and an artist, and most importantly a creator in the D&D world so people can enjoy reading my ambitious ideas, I did need to hear this, Matt. Thank you. You will forever be, and always have been, my role model.
I did need to hear this! Thank you for the wise and kind words!
Dear Matt Colville...... Simply.. thank you
Thank you for being you, and helping us... be us..
I need to hear this constantly so I can keep making bad art so that one day I can make something that people will think is actually cool, thank you.
There are many reasons why I watch your channel. You spoke into my fears and aspirations Matt. I am a young man terrified that I am chasing a stupid dream. I can't stop chasing the moon across the sky. That star that twinkles upon the shifting sands. I turn and the open sky beckons me onward. It may be folly. But who am I to say what is and is not possible. I have tripped and fallen many times. I will do so again. You have been a river giving me a little more life than I had before. Thanks to you I have started a D&D campaign, and that has given me more than I had hoped for. You have also given me courage in my creative pursuits outside of D&D as well. One day I hope to give back a little of what you have given me, as well as to pass some of that along to others. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Matt.
I've needed to hear this for a long time.
Dude, you can change the terms about D&D in Matt's videos into anything you want and it is always striking. That is art and composed by a man with a creative life. Thank you Matt for sharing the experience.
Matt, personally I'm here to tell you, you have succeeded.
This was possibly one of your most important videos. I can only imagine how many people needed to hear this.
4:20 When I'm only half paying attention and checking my credit card spending via my phone... *looks up* "Wait, me? How did you know?!"
@@deepqantas He had to. It's...
Cannon
This is what just I needed to hear Matthew Colville. Thank you.
I’ve been DMing for my family on and off and I’ve always felt I was terrible, and it really got me down. Watching CR and TH-cam vids about D&D definitely developed my taste for GMing but didn’t give me the skill. But now my persistence has been strengthened by your wise words.
I am inspired. :)
You inspired me to DM again, after I quit believing in my ability to do so. Thank you bro.
It’s been over a month (and maybe the first comment of the 2020’s) since this video came out, and I still come back to it at least every week. Thank you Ser Colville for this video and the articulation for why I am perusing a career in acting/ voice over. Without this I would never have started
The fact that people disliked this video kinda proves the point
Lol so true
Old video, so I don't know who will see this but.
Hi Folks, I am a professional contemporary dancer. Which is to say I am a working artist. It is my philosophy that art is necessary for humans. To make, consume, or to otherwise in engage in. It's going to see that movie and coming home two days late and still thinking about it while making coffee. That's an art experience. You deserve art experiences. As a result, me doing my job has a small sense of humility and service to wider society to it. We need art - I am good at making art - I will make art for some of the public to engage with. The idea that it requires hubris to get on a stage is quite commonplace, but You get to define your own relationship. Please try the things you feel called to. And one last thing - one of my mantras is Make Bad Art. Sometimes its not about the product, making things is a worthwhile endeavour in and of itself.
I've never experienced any of this negativity towards wanting to make art. I'd say if the people around you are behaving like this it's time to surround yourself with new and different people.
Not really an option if you're a kid growing up with family & teachers like that, or even as an adult with a "real" job
I still remember my biology A level teacher, a shrivelled and miserable battleaxe, pacing around the classroom and catching eye of my margin doodles. She snatched my workbook off me and said "I see you're one of those *creative* types," delivering the word 'creative' the same way you'd say a slur. There's a lot of evil in the world and sometimes it's not as easy as "just avoid them bro"
I think I speak for everyone when I say, thank you Matt. You are a hero... an egotistical, humble, honest, self deprecating, successful at failing and then succeeding and then failing and succeeding yet again, inspiring fellow creative. Thank you, Matt.
It's a funny thing that life does sometime, and just show you what you need when you need it. Thanks Matt, i really needed that video ! Time to go write some more :p
This was strangely timely for me, Matt. Thank you. I've spent nearly 2 years on a passion project, building a company centered around 3d terrain. It's been a difficult road full of learning stuff the hard way. I've had a lot of naysayers along the way, and at times my own voice joined that chorus. Now that it is time to share our first terrain set, I am surprised by the fact that I am afraid to do so. Two years is a good bit of time to put into something. I am afraid to discover whether or not the product will be enjoyed as much as I hope it will, and - if it isn't - that seems like it would basically mean that it was two years of my life wasted on a passion project no one else really cares about. I don't know if you actually read this, but if you do...thanks for the word of encouragement.
Yeah... I needed this at exactly this moment.
@matt
I'm going to show this to my 10 year old autistic son after I pick him up from school.
At the beginning of this year during the winter when he couldn't go outside at his school, he created an entire world with characters, history and lore. It was amazingly creative and I told him I was proud of him. Flash forward to last week and I was asking him why I haven't heard about it since and he told me that he was worried that people would fun of him about it and tell him his ideas were stupid.
I gave him a speech similar in nature to this one, just not said as well. He said he understood, but I think getting some external reinforcement might do him a world of good. His Dad always has his back, so I think he is used to it, hearing it from someone else will make it stick (I hope anyway).
I hear there was once a distinction made between pride and vanity.
Pride & Prejudice makes that distinction. Vanity is concern for how others see you. Pride is concern for how you see yourself. Is Pride a virtue or a fault, Mr. Darcy?
I didn't think I was going to cry today, but here we are.