I like to write different genres of fiction. Plus, I will be working on non-fiction too. So, is it okay to use ONE name or is it best to come up with pen names?
there's no 'okay' that works for everyone and no 'best'! there's only what works for you... many famous writers used more than one pen name before they became famous and some still do...
Depends on the genre. I started out using pen names for different kinds of books, but it became too much of a pain; now I'd only use them for erotica/romance/everything else. Of course, if you're trade published, the publisher might want you to use a pen name even for similar genres.
You could use pen names, but if you're successful, you might wind up like Stephen King, with reprints of his Richard Bachman books coming out under his real name. I think, these days, it doesn't really matter all that much. Genres are getting blended. Besides, if I like a writer's science fiction, I'll probably like his Westerns, too. I'd stick with the same name, no matter what genre I'm working in.
It comes down to why you choose to use a nom de plume to begin with. Maybe you are writing steamy romance novels and don;t want that to "taint" your "serious" writing. And perhaps you are a woman writing in a genre that female authors are discriminated against (not much of an issue these days). So you use as many pseudonyms as you need to meet your purposes. Myself, I couldn't be sussed.
If the difference is obvious, westerns to science fiction, then it really doesn't matter. If the difference is subtle but important, detective/mystery to psychic detective who believes in ghosts, then maybe. If the change is to or even away from hard core sex, then almost certainly.
This doesn't relate to my book writing and such, but I am wondering, for reasons of identity safety and tracking - should I use a pen name for my blog instead of my real name?
it's more a matter of personal choice, than safety, since real names can be discovered even if you use a nom de plume...
It's not a defence against being identified by someone who is really looking, but it does prevent your "real" name from being widely associated in the public mind with whatever goes on in your blog. So, much depends on whether you want your blog articles to be commonly known as something you did or not. With a pseudonym, ten years from now no one is going to come across something you wrote and immediately associate it with the world famous person you have become.
If the blog is about your writing and you use a pseudonym for your writing, it would make sense to use one for the blog, too. A blog can become a great way to promote your work. Having a different name might confuse your readers. (Unless you have multiple pseudonyms.)
But, now that I reread your OP, I don't think it matters unless the blog is about something controversial.
I wasn't making fun of the poster, it was a light tongue in cheek joke. There's a difference between making fun of a poster and making a playful joke. But if I offended the OP in any way he can say so and I will apologise. Where's the sense of humour in this place?
When you make a joke that one person finds confusing and another finds insulting, it's generally best to assume that your sense of humor was off-key in the moment that you wrote the joke, rather than insult everyone else's.
On topic, I'm going to go against the grain and say, "No. Never use a nom-de-plume for your blog." Why? You should certainly have a separate online presence for your private life (facebook/twitter/youtube/google) but your public persona benefits from exposure. Having books published under a different name from your blog defeats the potential connection between them, and thus the potential fans/customers. But to do this you'll need to consider carefully what you say and what kind of persona you are projecting publicly. Why close a door to potential readers? Use your blog to drive book buyers. Use your books to drive traffic to your blog. Win-win.
I don't want anybody knowing I write the stuff on my blog, or that I am a very attractive woman. [huge naked, obese man laughs uncontrollably, has seizure, wets the bean bag] ............... I know he was naughty with the 'tin hat'...and the joke is old hat, ha and probly a received gag no doubt, but I do fancy making one, with a p mache base and a little aerial for reception. I shall make it a siyense project for my students.
In college, I decided to not write anything I wouldn't sign my name to. However, here we all are with avatars and screen names.
I think it's an awesome idea to use your actual name for a 'innocent' blog; we're talking no political opinions or strange fiction pieces, and a general positive written attitude and content that is useful gets to the point. For example, blog about how you modified your air conditioner to fit into a smaller window, or your hunt for a good word processor that lists pros and cons of different software. Try to avoid blogging about how the letters in Obama's name can be rearranged to spell 'AROMA' (SNL skit) or how much of a jerk your ex is. A solid blog can do wonders for your reputation, and help promote your book. If you really feel the need to post your theory of left/right politic's obvious friendship with Satan, and Game of Thrones fanfic that contains highly improbable, inappropriate interactions between Catelyn and Circei then go ahead and have a 'night' blog under a different name where you can talk about what you want. In short, my answer is both. Though the latter is going to be less useful for you in the long run, unless your grittier content really has mass appeal.
