Okay, so I didn’t win the TAGIE Award. Yes, that’s disappointing, but here’s the thing: it really was all about the nomination.

I know, I know. We see folks saying that for the Oscars all the time and we never believe them. Now, though, I finally get it.

Growing up, three of my favorite things to do were playing games, reading, and adventuring. Whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would pick one of those three. I never said “play soccer” or “write computer software.” I like doing those two, but they weren’t wedged into my heart the way the others were.

So now here I am, doing all three of the things I wanted to do. I work in the game business, publishing games, licensing games, spending my time designing and playing games. On the writing front, my first book is coming out in January. As for adventuring. . . well, just spend a day with me and my family. It’s all the adventure you could imagine.

Please don’t think I’m bragging. Writing, designing, and adventuring are all quite difficult. I have a long way to go as far as getting better at them, and, like everyone in those communities, I have plenty of struggles.

My point here is not to say that I’m good at what I do, but to say that I’m doing what I love.

When the Rising Star TAGIE award nomination was announced… well, it was amazing. Awards have never been on my radar, never something that I considered. Winning the TAGIE would have been great, but honestly, I’m living in a world that is so far beyond what I ever hoped that being disappointed by not winning would be selfish beyond measure.

Besides, I know the guy that won (Hi, Martin!). Not only is he one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, but losing to him is kind of like losing a writing contest to Stephen King. I get it.

So that’s the story. I’m a TAGIE loser, and I’m okay with that. In fact, I’m thrilled.

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