I mean, everything is a valid way to play so long as everyone is consenting and enjoying themselves. But I want effort from players. It’s shocking to me that as a player other players are often hesitant to want to create backstories with me. It seems most people want their own little unique thing and don’t want much interaction.

My playgroup (I am a player, no a DM at the moment) has been better about this in our most recent campaign. Three of the characters are siblings (two bird-like creatures and an adopted dragon born with fake wings to fit in). A couple of other players agreed to have little run-ins with my character from before so we knew each other before the start.

While an adoring audience is better than a bored one for storytelling, it doesn’t help as much as one that participates.