I'd like to explore the concept of sharing the storytelling with the players.

We've seen ChattyDM touch on the subject - mostly when playing with his kids. I've done so with my players by switching DMs just about every session.

I wonder what ways there are to weave the player's creativity in the storyline without completely relinquishing control as a DM. In my experience, players like to be surprised by the storyline... and if they can flat out decide what's going to happen next, they might not like it that much.

What Mr. Chatty did, with his kids is flat out ask them what they thought was going to happen. To my sense, this works wonders with children... and it sure did with his.

Asking them "who do you think is behind the door?", sharing their glee and excitement as they decide what happens next is great.

With more "mature" gamers (supposing these two terms can really coexist), I think they'd figure out the ruse.

What works is simply paying attention to their discussions.

In our latest game, we were given a precious mirror as loot and one of the players immediately started being distrustful - which generated a lot of discussion between the players and NPC.

At any time in there, the DM could decide that there is, in fact, something out of the ordinary with the mirror - even through it wasn't planned. Maybe he can bring it up a few months later - after we convinced the dubious player that the mirror is merely treasure and that we forget all about the mirror. Or perhaps, there was so much buildup with the mirror that its even better if its just a plain mirror.

A lot of potential of incorporating player ideas in the storyline just in that little situation.

To recap that first little brainstorm in the subject, we could coin the following "rule" tip.

Engage your players into open speculations.

This should provide interesting material to hook your players in the storyline by having them participate even more in the game world.

Do you guys have other ideas to stimulate this kind of play?