If the game isn't fun, we must be doing something wrong.

Everything I do is focused toward a fun adventure for our players and for myself

On Characters: I do look for players willing to create a background for their characters as that gives me something to work with when creating custom content and character-related plots. I also tend to look poorly upon players that recreate a character from fantasy novels as it tends to show a lack of creativity right from the start.

On Plots: While I do make a general overall plot, I have no trouble abandoning it should the characters decide to go elsewhere. They do need to keep in mind though that things will happen in that overall plot while they're not looking. The world is a pretty dynamic place after all and many things happen whether or not the PCs are involved in it.

I am just now returning to NWN from an extended hiatus and plan to resume running a campaign in the near future.