Writer Aaron Jeffrey Michael Smith
I was born a poor black child in rural Mississippi. Okay that's not true. What is true that I have been a frustrated writer, comedian, and game designer my entire life. By day I masquerade as a humble database jockey at a statewide newspaper, but at night, I sleep. I am married happily with no kids (which is why we are happily married). I live in Gravel Ridge, Arkansas. A tiny speck of nothing outside of Little Rock. Go ahead, Google Map the city. Go into street view and see the bustling metropolis I live in. I'll wait for you here.
(humming quietly)
I know, it's so small! But we do have a Sonic drive-in, so we can at least get a decent burger and tot combo. Also, we have a great butcher in town (a rarity here) so we can get excellent meats and BBQ.
I have always loved to write. Problem is that very few people down here love to read. I have always loved to design board games. Problem is that until VERY recently very few people down here love to play them (outside of dominoes and the ever popular game they call "hold my beer and watch this"). Most of my creative juices are therefore channeled into cracking smart with people and making them laugh. When I am able to make someone laugh at some ridiculous thing I say or do, ah, the high that I get, it's better than any drug you could possibly take.
So why am I here? Well to write, to get read, to maybe get a foot into the door into game design, maybe get a few people to crack a smile here or there. That is what makes this trip through life worthwhile for me.
That and to make enough money to retire to Hawaii, and live like a king for the rest of my days surrounded by scores of buxom women who will serve me unlimited chicken wings with ranch dressing supplied by a garden hose for the rest of my life. Okay that's not true. Kinda.