Here are some notes about Jim Murphy’s tips on Run your own RPG simply:

• What game system am I going to use?
• relates to the game world, not necessarily the mechanics
• rules give you a basic framework and color
• you can also use books (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc.)
• it should be simple and quick, people don’t have the patience to play the whole weekend
• don’t run the rules, let someone other be the rules keeper
• mechanics-wise: ideally everything should be in your mind, you only need a short primer
• you don’t need to know all the details, figure it out on the go, embellish, make it up
• let the players drive the campaign, you present the world
• present 3-5 encounters, set them up in order
• the rule system will run itself, the dice will determine the luck: that’s not your job
• your job is to present the story and wind it down
• if something’s going bad, it’s a chance to add new color
• listen to the players: if they want more details, give it to them; if they want less, give them less
• throw out something really cool/interesting at the beginning (e.g., a magic item)
• you don’t need to know at the beginning of the campaign how it will end
• the players always need to feel that they are the ones to make the game happen
• make the experience for the players memorable, exciting
• keep it simple: a map, a few encounters, a big baddy, a bag full of treasure, maybe a village