Should I use a pen name? - Writers Forum

skyman06 · 07-31-2007, 10:07 AM

My last name is also the name of a country (exactly same spelling). Should I use a pen name?

wmd · 07-31-2007, 10:14 AM

If that is the only reason you are thinking about it... no.

skyman06 · 07-31-2007, 10:18 AM

I really don't want to--I rather use my real name. I just thought that it might be confusing to people, perhaps.

BlackWolf · 07-31-2007, 10:44 AM

Only to really, really stupid people.

It might actually help people remember your name, so they can tell their friends.

SecretSam · 07-31-2007, 10:47 AM

If you dont want to then dont do it. if you like secret identities then by all means go for it!

skyman06 · 07-31-2007, 11:00 AM

I might use a pen name at some point for certain things, but I would prefer to mostly use my real name. And maybe, like BlackWolf said, it will help people remember my name. I hadn't thought of that.

lin · 07-31-2007, 11:16 AM

Remember if you use a pen name your work won't be good for samples or credits and won't show up on google.

But with your real name, when people google Albania or Ubekistan or whatever your name is they might find you.

Seriously names that are words are the sort of thing people change their name TO, not FROM in the arts and journalism. Joe Montana and Jimmy the Greek and Marilyn Monroe and Mark Cuban are racy, cool names. Marion Morrison changed his name to John Wayne without worrying about there being a city with that name.

Mike C · 07-31-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyman06

I just thought that it might be confusing to people, perhaps.

Do you really think people will confuse you with a country? I don't think people are really that stupid. It never seemed to bother Anatole France. He chose the name as his pen name, and nobody ever visited him expecting to see the eiffel tower.

lin · 07-31-2007, 11:46 AM

You got something against retarded people or something? Think we're stupid or something? I'm an excellent driver.

Patrick Beverley · 07-31-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Don't listen to this kid, he's retarded.

Don't use a pen name because it might be confusing. Having the same last name as a country is kind of catchy, hip. People use pen names if they a) don't like their name (for example if your name was Vagina Secretions, then you may want to change it) b) You're famous and stupid like Stephen King.

That's it.

Oh, and we understand. You're from New Jersey and therefore retarded.

Add Filetofbaby to your ignore list? *click*

Baron · 07-31-2007, 12:15 PM

I've been writing using three different names for years. Depending on what I'm writing and other considerations, one being that I found that poetry published under a woman's name sold better. Who says sexism is one-sided?

blackthorn · 07-31-2007, 12:36 PM

Pen names aren't that important nowadays. In history, authors used pen names to hide their identities when they were writing books on controversial issues. In particular, many British authors used pen names on their books about Parliament.

So no, it's not really necessary.

There's your knowelege for the day. Hope it helps!

lin · 07-31-2007, 02:40 PM

There are LOTS of reasons to use pen names. This has been discussed here before. They are as "necessary" as your own needs. I've done a lot of pseudonymous writing for some very real reasons.

But I don't think having a country surname is reason to do so, especially with the disadvantages it can incur.

Johnna · 07-31-2007, 02:47 PM

My name is similar to an established author, who, coincidentally, writes the same genre I do. I'm going to use a pseudonym, definitely, whenever I get published. J.A. Emonds.

Azmakna · 07-31-2007, 03:03 PM

poor Paris Hilton... a country and a hotel, she'll never get anywhere