One of the more challenging aspects of running a game, is dealing with the ever changing play.  You can plan out your story, create NPC’s and monsters all you want.  But that won’t matter when they get shot, tricked or avoided by your players when you weren’t expecting it.  Then there is always the chance for them to derail the plot.

None of this is a bad thing though as it brings its own entertainment and fun to a game.  This is where a ST really has to start being creative on the fly.  Adapting NPC’s, tossing out one plan for another or even changing how the main story will continue/end.  On demand creativity and quick thinking is key to keep your players engaged and having fun.  I find the challenge of this gives the ST a different but still fun role in the game.

While this is nothing new to more experienced Story Tellers, it might help a couple out there trying to start for the first time.  If players start getting too out of line from your story, use imagination not rules to bring them back.  Not only do you have access to creating larger powers, but the rules themselves can be bent/broken for the purposes of Story.  But of it all, just make sure everyone is having fun.