The voices told me to do it

Ok, for all you roleplaying podlings out there, here's a handy tip for being a great DM...

Use distinct voices for NPCs. Use 'em a lot. It really helps PCs identify with different personalities they meet in the game. If it's a random NPC and you're not sure what to do, go for a neutral voice.

Otherwise, specific NPCs deserve specific voices. Try to immitate people from real life. Is the NPC a government leader? Use the voice of someone from Congress or the White House. Is the NPC a rogue? Use the voice of a notable rogue or someone you liked from the movies.

And always, PRACTICE your voices before you game. It helps. A LOT!