I like pen names as they are way more creative, unique and easier to pronounce. Recently I read a short story collection titled, Bodies from the Library: Lost Tales of Mystery and Suspense from the Golden Age of Detection, and in the author bios, tons of authors used pen names. These authors probably didn't go about telling people their real names but then again, social media hadn't been invented so it was probably easier to keep your name a secret.
I think every person, whether you are a writer or not, deserve to have a name they want or like even if is not legalized. We're in a society where names are sometimes ridiculed which is just rude of people. But I don't think people have to stick to the name they are given. At least, not completely. Also, I side with female authors who altered their names to a more masculine or androgynous name because of how unequal gender is. This is why you get all these authors with initials for first names and yes, I got my pen name from that idea because why not?
Names, whether real or not, is makeup because no one have a name tattooed to their butt when they are born. It's because our names are legalized, we accept them as truth which is true but a person's name is still makeup or else how to explain people being able to change their name (legally or otherwise)?
Do you like pen names? What do you think of pen names?
[More about the group over at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog here]
There are lots of reasons, both good and bad, to adopt a pseudonym. When used for a good purpose, I enjoy them. And of course, most bloggers post under a pseudonym -- I know I do!
ReplyDeleteDebra: I do know most bloggers post under a pseudonym although they kind of reveal their names now and then. I don't think you need to keep it a secret but like you said, there are a lot of reasons to use pseudonym and I'm fine with people using them.
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I think pen names are okay if they are “secret”. What’s the point of writing under a pen name if it the real name is also printed on the book jacket. Live and Learn
ReplyDeleteLive and Learn: You made a good point but perhaps some people didn't might revealing their real name. I know a couple of authors who uess pen names and they made it known even in their author bio at the end of their books.
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They are an alternative for some for their good reasons.
ReplyDeleteChristine: Tons of good reasons to use pen names, yep.
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I write under a pen name. And if I decide to change genres, I'll more than likely change my pen name.
ReplyDeleteCathrina Constantine: I guess now it's standard to use pen names when writing under different genres. I don't mind it though I don't always know real names from pen names.
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I have a love-hate relationship here. If I KNOW someone online but then they have another name, how do I identify them? I had an experience early on where I used a pen name in a forum and then when I decided to come back as myself, the reception wasn't very warm. Kinda jaded my perceptions.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Collier: I guess you had a bad experience. Perhaps some people just don't like the idea of pen names.
DeleteI don't know about identifying people. Perhaps knowing a person by one name is enough, especially online where people can easily change their names.
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I'll say this: I used to write under the name James Pailly, but then I changed to J.S. Pailly. If so many women have to go by their initials, then I'm doing it, too.
ReplyDeleteJ.S. Pailly: Going by their initials is something I like, keeps the reader from judging a book by an author's gender.
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Pseudonyms are pretty common when writing in a few genres or for different audiences. No one wants a young adult romance reader to pick up an adult erotica because they know the author. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
emaginett: That makes sense but I rarely know authors names. I like to judge the book not by the author.
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Pen names are good for multiple genres or when an author doesn't want the world to know who he or she is.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: You make good points. Of course these days, authors are all that secretive about their pen names.
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I guess it's quite a personal decision. There can't one rule about pen names. It's all about the comfort level of the author.
ReplyDelete-- Pradeep / Time and Tide
Pradeep Nair: You're right, it's a personal decision.
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I use a pen name myself. Besides fiction, I write articles for local newspapers, and it seemed a good idea at the time to differentiate the two. My byline for the articles is my legal name, but my byline for fiction is my pen name. And all my internet presence is under my pen name as well. Lately, my pen name seemed more real to me than my legal name. I identify with it much more.
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: I suppose if you use a name more often, you get used to it.
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You are right, Lissa. People should be able to choose names if they wish. Especially to distinguish their writing or profession or to divide their lives into sections. More power to you!
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late to the IWSG party. I've been hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana. Have a great week!
Victoria Marie Lees: Thank you for visit, no need to apologize.
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