Why board games - a useful tool for a writer

Games with the plot - creativity, not competition

To begin, let's see, what is the difference between traditional table games and games in the genre of "storytelling" (from the English. storytelling - to tell the story). In games like "colonialists" for victory needs a strategy and a little luck. In the story games players need to think creatively and use your imagination and entertain the audience. All casual game combines several key features.

• The goal - to interest and not just a victory. In some games, there are conditions which can determine the winner, but really no one cares about who won and who lost. players often have to combine their efforts and work together to achieve a certain goal. Competition is relegated to the background.
• Rules exist as general principles, but they are not necessarily adhered to. Rules will help you to join the game, but, strictly following all the fine comments, you can spoil the story. Does not happen do not worry if you break the rules. The main thing that it was good for history. Therefore, often breaking the rules, even encouraged.
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• Results of the game each time will be different. Usually the game must be chosen depending on the participants. Not everyone turns to play nastolki where you want to cheat and deceive, as in "resistance." Not everyone turns to build a strategy that is needed to "Carcassonne." Casual game, on the one hand, suitable for all. But on the other, the game results each time will be different, if you play with different people, because there will be new, often unexpected ideas.

Even if you have never heard about the plot or the games played only in the role-playing game with elements of storytelling like "Dungeons and Dragons", most likely, you have already faced similar nastolki.

For example, Cards Against Humanity ( «Cards against humanity") - a simple casual game. Black cards - tips that will set the course of the game. Players also have a funny and interesting content to complement the black cards with the help of white cards that have on their hands. It does not matter who won. At the end, you can count the number of cards in his hand, but more importantly a good laugh and have some fun in this game that everyone in the soul.

As the story board games to help write better

There is nothing worse than a blank page for writing man. Whether you're writing a novel, short story, or conducts an account on Twitter, first you need to ask yourself and plan limitations. Restrictions do not hinder creativity, and encourage him, because to create something out of nothing - a task almost impossible. Board games teach you to plan and work with restrictions.

Think of board games as a practice

The easiest way to learn something of the story of games - often they play and practice in the ability to tell stories. Therefore it is better choose a game where a lot to invent their own. It will be a good storyteller.

Get inspired from table games

There are games in which you can not greatly affect the plot. But even such a game can throw you some interesting ideas on which you can write something of their own. If you play Betrayal At House On the Hill ( «Betrayal at House on the Hill") or Gloom ( "Darkness"), keep a notebook and record key events that happen to you in the course of games. In the future you will be able to use their recording as a plan to write her story.

Other players will help you improve your account

The people around - the best source of ideas. When you play a cooperative game, each Party shall endeavor to help others to come up with a sensible strategy, or an interesting story. If you want to create unusual characters, unexpected plot twist, or just can not connect multiple items of history together, talk to other people. While playing, you can go beyond the usual thinking, you will visit a fresh idea.

Creativity and inspiration - this is not an exact science, so you never know what actions will help their cause. Try anything that will help you write and come up with something new. Even when you play, try to think about how you can use their experiences in the future. Keep alert to, take notes. Games - it's fun, but do not forget that thanks to them, you can improve your writing skills.

Board games, which will give a boost to your creativity

There are dozens of great games that will inspire you and develop creative abilities. The list below is quite short, but it will set the right direction for your search.

"Betrayal at House on the Hill» (Betrayal at House on the Hill)

• Number of players: 3-6.
• Time: 60 minutes.

If you watched the movie "Cabin in the Woods", the game will seem familiar to you. In it players work together to explore the creepy old mansion. Depending on the combination of items that they are able to detect, and dice rolls opens one of the possible scary stories. At the same time one of the players - a traitor, which prevents the rest.

The official version of the game in Russian no. You will need a good knowledge of English or have to search the Internet rules and scenarios fan translation.

During the game you will not have to tell a lot of stories, but from it you can gather useful ideas. Each time you can choose different characters, so history will also vary. Each character has its own strengths and weaknesses. In addition, in the game about 45 different locations rooms. There are about 50 scenarios: you can fight with crowds of zombies, or investigate a mysterious murder.

Take notes during the game time on how your hero overcomes difficulties. Reinvents this experience in a creative way. After the game you can use the notes as a draft for their own history.

"Mysterium» (Mysterium)

• Number of players: 2-7.
• Time: 45 minutes.

One of the players in the "Mysterium" ghost plays for a man who was recently killed. The other players, of which there are several suspects, investigating the murder. Ghost gives clues to tell you how it was: about people, places, weapons. What's the catch? Players can communicate with each other only by means of cards with beautiful but vague images.

For writers it is an interesting challenge, because it will have to interact and communicate with others without words.

Sometimes the ghost transmits information related to the color, shape and other characteristics. Since you can not use the words, you have to think about other details of the story. This is a great way to work out in the ability to transmit the non-verbal part. The more clear picture, you can create in your mind, the easier it is to describe the situation and the characters, when you sit behind the writing of the text.

Funemployed

• Number of Players: 3-20.
• Time: 30 minutes.

According to the structure of the game is very similar to Funemployed Cards Against Humanity. In each round, players are applying for an open position. One player reads the name of the job, such as sergeant-instructor or a secret agent. Other participants collect cards of their skills, which they believe will help them get desired position, such as "cold black heart", "Survival Skills", "The ability to talk to fish. "

The story in this game turns out very simple. But Funemployed teach you to create a character from scratch. at the interview you need to demonstrate all the features at once. But in a story or novel, you can gradually reveal the extraordinary skills and character traits of the hero, showing its development.