Why did I use a fake name! A lot of reasons, some silly ones I refuse to confess to. Now that I'm getting deeper into the writing world, I feel the need to be taken a little more seriously, and the new name is close to my real one. I still don't want to be found completely, because the truth is, I live a double life. My secret is that I am a writer. There, I said it. I am a writer.
Only five people in my real life know. My husband, two kids, and my sister.
Why I feel the need to hide it has to do with the naysayers in my life. Writing is a hard enough industry without people in my ear saying "You can't do that". I have myself in my ear already saying that.
There are many reasons writers use pen names. Check out this link.
I was surprised to learn Mark Twain was a pen name! Probably everybody knew that, but me of course.
What about you? Pen name or real?
For a moment, you had me confused! Funny you were using your dog's name.
ReplyDeleteI know. Pretty bad huh!
DeleteReal name.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was cool how Samuel show a river boat term as his pen name. Oh, that I could be so widely read as he.
It was cool right! I'm with you on the being widely read dream.
DeleteWell, hi Rose (or something sorta closes to that). I feel like I'm meeting a new writer friend all over again. :-) I considered using a pen name because my real name doesn't stand out at all, but then I decided I just wanted to be called and known as who I'd always been.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, YOU ARE A WRITER!
Oops--"sorta close to that"
DeleteNice to meet you- again! I think your name seems very writerly :) and thanks for the affirmation!
DeleteReal name. I considered a pen name because my name is so common but in reality I didn't think I could remember which name to go by or sign if I was using a pen name (I can dream of book signings before I have a book) I did use my initials instead of my first name just to make it stand out a little and also because there was a less that showed up on Google using that. Honestly, I think you should do what you're comfortable with. There are lots of valid reasons for using a pen name So whatever works best for you!
ReplyDeleteI do like the initials with your name, it does seem to make it stand out. You apparently put a lot more thought into it than I did!
DeleteRose! Yaaaaaay! You've embraced the inner writer and are announcing it to the world! ;) I've always wondered if Honey was your real name or not! Funny!
ReplyDeleteI use my real name... it's an odd name, but it's real! LOL ;)
Your real name is very cool! I'd definitely stick with it.
ReplyDeleteI came "out" when I started blogging, because I didn't know what to use as a url, so I picked my name. Before that, I'd used fake names on several writing forums.
ReplyDeleteIt's been both relieving and anxiety-producing, being out there with your name. Ultimately, I think it's a good thing if one is serious about a writing career. :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and nice to meet you!
Thanks for your comment, and for joining my blog!
DeleteIt's okay...Rose. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't use a pen name, but I am finally "coming out of the closet," so to speak, as a writer. I won the WriteOnCon contest last year and was too shy to have my picture or website connected to my profile page. Afraid of rejection, perhaps? I don't know...
Maya Angelou is a pen name for Marguerite Ann Johnson, btw.
Really! You've been writing successfully for far longer than I have, I would have never guessed that you were afraid of the publicity. But it's a brutal world out there, for sure.
DeleteReal name. There's nothing wrong with using a fake name, don't worry about it.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I used a very "clever" pen name. I took the initial of my first name (Cheryl) and used my middle name (Lee) and my real last name. It's been a joke for everyone who knows me, but I did it because I was trying a totally different kind of writing and somehow changing my name was freeing. Of course, I should have chosen something like Francine Shultz or something to really throw my friends off. :-)
ReplyDeleteClever indeed. Good idea! I can't use my initials because it's JR, which would make everyone of a certain age to think of Dynasty :)
DeleteYou have no idea how much your sentiments mirror my own on the subject. I think writing under a pen name has liberated my writing to a certain extent. But now and again I have the urge to create a new pen name...(: And I agree with S.P. Bowers, do what makes you feel comfortable! (:
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I hope I choose the right name because I can't keep changing it. Time will tell!
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