Gonna Cave troll this a bit. I had more or less came to the conclusion that I would use my real name for my writings, but while looking at places to submit work I came across a non fiction anthology looking for, creative nonfiction talking about people's struggle with mental illnesses as such in an attempt to bring attention to the reality of it rather than the stigma. Part of me wants to use a pen name for this as it`ss more directly personal than my fiction writings and certain people in my immediate family have certain fringe beliefs when it comes to mental illness such as being anti vax, or thinking that ADHD is a lie meant to dumb kids down, or that schizophrenia and multi-personality disorder are people living in multiple timelines at once. There`s enough of a drift due to this stuff already, if they somehow found me writing about mental illness and my experiences with and around it as if it were. *gaps* real, well I don`t want to deal with that drama. On the flip side to this the anthology is called Coming Out on Mental Illness, that`s very obvious on the intent there. I`m gonna write about mental illness in na effort to get the reality out there while hiding behind a pen name? I`m going to ask people to see us for who and what we are, people with our own glitches and disabilities that you just can`t see other than people that should be avoided, while I won`t let them see me just because I`m afraid of what being seen for who I am and what I believe? Isn`t that hypocrictel? Maybe I'm overthinking this, or maybe I should just stick to writing fantasy, that while I can shroud my agenda in a nice layer of symbolism and metaphor.
In my opinion, no. You are writing a true account of how it affects you and your daily life, your interaction with people, or lack of, and that is what is important. If you choose to use a pseudonym to protect yourself from possible issues with family and friends, or to protect them from comments, I believe that to be your right.
I will use one because my real name is 1. already take and 2. even if it wasn't taken, its too common to be noticeable...Ashley Smith. I don't have an official one as I have yet to publish anything.
Laurin Kelly is my pseudonym - it's a variation of my real first name combined with my maiden name,which I haven't used in over 20 years. There are some Lauren Kelly authors out there but no Laurins. Due to the nature of my writing (sexually explicit male/male romance), I don't write under my real name. It could have some negative repercussions for me personally or professionally if certain people in my family or workplace found out about it.
Ah, interesting thread. I use my birth name (Alex Rafael Encomienda) to self publish books online and for other sites such as Wordpress, Deviantart and obviously here. After I'm done with my WIP I'll start seeking publishers/agents but I'm not sure whether or not I'll keep my original name or use another. Oh, the decisions...
First published work, my short story, Stone Games, forced me to decide so I went with Virginia May, my first and middle names. My surname isn't catchy enough. I debated using gender neutral initials then decided, screw that. I don't need to pretend I might be male.
In that case, use a pen name. This is the main reason why I used a pen name when I wrote about my personal experience with Adoption. I have a right to protect myself and my family while wanting to share my experience in the hope that the information would do two things. 1) give info to a potential adopter who used it to make the decision to adopt, and 2) give info to a potential adopter who used it to make the decision NOT to adopt based on the fact that they didn't want to go through all the rigmarole, red tape and training. Information invaluable on both accounts because until you go down the route of adoption, you have no idea what it entails. Sure, we can all sugarcoat it with ideas of becoming a family and have a wonderful time with our new kids, but I wanted to write a truthful account, an account which gave the facts rather than the dramatic fictional side. Also, all the people featured in the book have different names to the real people too, for confidentiality. So yes, I would say, in that instance, go with a pen name.
Lot's of people get obsessed with pen names. Honestly, I don't think people care if your name is Dr. Seuss or John Peterson. If they like your work they will remember you and possibly look for future projects. It has little to do with how catchy your name sounds. Personally I just write under my usual name (Todd David Anderson). I add my middle name because Anderson is just very common, especially here in the US, so it adds some separation and can make me easier to find.
I write under my real name. Always have. And let me just say there is nothing like seeing your name in print. It's still a rush. I don't think having a pen mane would feel the same way to me. I plan on writing and publishing a lot more. I work hard and I want all the credit. And I don't think that is a bad thing. Having a pen name isn't a bad thing either, but it sort of removes the immediate connection between you and your work. Maybe that's what some people are looking for. I consider myself a writer. I tell people I'm a writer. It's not something I keep a secret or separate from the rest of my life. Writing is pretty much my life and a big part of my identity. If anyone feels similar to me no matter where you are in your writing career, I would really think about using your own name. Growing up, I didn't love my name. Over the years, my name started growing on me and I think it was seeing my byline over and over that really changed what I thought of my name. Maybe I don't have the best name (or maybe we all ponder names we think would be a better fit as we go through different stages of life), but I think my name sure makes for a good byline.
I'm here because I like discussing aspects of writing with other writers. I find it interesting. And I want to be able to ask stupid questions sometimes and share my thoughts about things. If I was using my real name here, I would feel a little insecure and pressure not to sound stupid. And this is not my writing. This is just taking part in discussions about writing. I don't think it really matters who I am on here. And just for the record, I am not some superstar or anything like that. I am a struggling writer who has gotten some lucky breaks. My first publication was about 20 years ago. Honestly, the thought of a pen name never crossed my mind back then, and I'm glad it didn't. But I don't need a bunch of crazy forum posts showing up when someone googles me. Truth is I am probably the only person who googles my name. LOL. Anyway, I like this forum. I looked at a couple others before joining this one. This one felt the most genuine and engaging. I don't plan on posting any of my work for critique so I didn't really feel a need to use my real name. If I ever do a story swap or something like that, my story will have my real name on it. I just don't see any bonus to using a real name on a forum. Some people use their real names. If that works for them, it works for them. But for now, in the forum world I shall be known as deadrats.
Sorry, I didn't mean to sound accusatory, I was just thinking - I feel free to spread my pen names all over the internet, because there's no connection to real me. I mean, I have a user name here, but that's mostly because I have multiple pen names and I didn't want any of my imaginary friends to get hurt feelings if I didn't choose them! But I think if I were writing under my real name, I'd be less comfortable using that name on a forum or elsewhere, and it seemed like maybe you were feeling a similar sort of discomfort, which is why I asked. Just thinking as I type...
Personally, I use a pen name, I go between Zakira Salem, Zaki Salem and Zaki X. Salem a lot, main reason i choose to use a pen name is because I feel as though it's something i need to do rather than want, due to all the what if's floating around in my head. that and if my YouTube and writing blows up, then I can at least keep them as far separated as possible (as my YouTube uses my own name rather than a pseudonym)
Mmh, I've been considering whether or not to use my real name. It's not the best sounding, but I have no real reason not to use it. I was working on developing a pseudonym for kicks, but the alphabetical thing makes me want to use parts of my real name (have had 3 last names) + my middle name. Andrew Abernethy or Keep hitting the pseudonym generator until something clicks.
I'm also contemplating since I have yet to release my own novel as of yet. Thinking of going with this name or my real name although this pen name sounds cooler lol.
I haven't made an effort to find a publisher yet (currently still assembling a warchest of material), but since my real name is entirely unspectacular I went ahead and just started signing my first initial and my last name to make it even shorter and sweeter. It has a nice little jump to it that way, and it's still me too.
Well, no, because I never share them. If I did, it might be Madison Rhodes. Madison is what I want to change my name to. Rhodes is my real middle name.
I'm an amateur writer so I haven't published anything yet or even if I will. However, I do hope so if it happens I plan on using a pen name. I know in the age of technology there is no way to remain completely anonymous, however I still do want to retain a separation from my writing and my personal life. Very few people know I write. I don't hide it but I just don't advertise my hobbies and if I were to publish something I don't want to make a huge deal out of it so people could be like "hey look it's _____, the author of ______" I just want to remain low key and on a need to know basis. Besides, I have a unique name that if you google it, my whole life pops up. Even my relatives. Anyways, my best friend is trying to make me out l like I'm deep down ashamed of my writing which I'm not. I'm still trying to come up with the perfect pen name for myself if I do go professional. To those of you who have published, do you use pen names? If so, why? What was the inspiration behind your name? I'd like to know your thoughts on this concept as well.
