dhyre

Hey everyone,

Trying to decide on a pen name and I wanted to know how others do it. So, how do you pick a pen name?

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*** correction: Writing is about individuality, breaking the rules, testing new grounds, listening to ourselves. That's why we do it, to show we are individuals, we are human and because everyone's idea deserves a chance, even if you don't think so.

Sam Winchester

Pen name? You mean a pseudonym? Why would you not want your own work in your name? The only reason I would ever think of using a pen name would be if there was something embarrassing in my book that I wasn't proud of. Even then I don't think I'd use one.

I don't know how to pick one. I've never really thought about it. I'd rather my work in my own name.

Sam.

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dhyre

I know some people pick it for their own reasons, and I respect yours. I am picking one because I do not want my clients looking me up on facebook.

__________________
*** correction: Writing is about individuality, breaking the rules, testing new grounds, listening to ourselves. That's why we do it, to show we are individuals, we are human and because everyone's idea deserves a chance, even if you don't think so.

Sam Winchester

I don't know, dhyre. Pick your two favourite authors, and use a combination of their first and last names. That might work.

Sam.

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valeca

There are any number of reasons for using a nom de plume. Branching into a difference genre and professional considerations are two common ones.

Do you have one in mind, dhyre?

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"...make your own nature, not the advice of others, your guide in life." --Pythia, Oracle of Apollo at Delphi

dhyre

I've gotten the last name down, it just kind of came to me, but I am deciding between 2 first names:

Emsley and Aisley - don't ask long story.

__________________
*** correction: Writing is about individuality, breaking the rules, testing new grounds, listening to ourselves. That's why we do it, to show we are individuals, we are human and because everyone's idea deserves a chance, even if you don't think so.

Sam Winchester

Yes, Valeca, branching into another genre is the most accepted reason, I agree. Stephen King - Horror. Richard Bachman - Action/Adventure. But - and I don't mean any offense by this, dhyre, because you may be one - that's published authors. If you pick up a novel by Stephen King, you're expecting it to be horror, which is exactly why when he wrote The Running Man, an action-adventure novel, he did so as Richard Bachman.

Sam.

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PageOfCups

I know one auther that has two pen names. He writes action/thriller under James Rollins and fantasy under James Clemens. Though Czajkowski is his real surname and it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue so that's pretty understandable.

valeca

To clarify: I didn't say branching into other genres was the most accepted reason. I said it was common. There's a big difference there.

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"...make your own nature, not the advice of others, your guide in life." --Pythia, Oracle of Apollo at Delphi

HarryG

It would be best not to use your own name on an internet forum, the dangers are too many. You're posting in a dangerous place. There are Botnets, Krakens, all kinds of crooks that want to steal your money. By the same token you still want to make your voice heard, like the rest of us.




Why not use your first name with a false last name, or initial, or choose something else entirely. Or choose something that strikes a chord, like mememe, I don't think it's been taken.

blackthorn

If you're just posting stuff here, just use your screen name. As for in the real world, I don't see the harm in using your real name on your works as long as it's copyrighted.

...I never really GOT pen names anyway, so I wouldn't know how to pick one.... Just pick a random name....?

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Foxee

You could put a bunch of possible adjectives into one hat and a bunch of nouns into another and pick that way (of course, you'd end up with a name suitable for a band...I think this is how Twisted Sister picked their name if I remember right).

Still...it might be fun to do the same with possible first and last names.

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PageOfCups

Not sure about Twister Sister but it's how Bowling For Soup picked their name.

Omnisu

I use a pen name because if I change two letters my name goes from 'meh' to 'awesome'.

And awesome is better than meh.

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BOURBON

If you ever intend you work getting to a wide audience I'd recommend a pseudonym. Once the initial thrill of publication has worn off you'll get pretty sick of not being able to separate your home self from your work. I always work under a name which is not my legal name, and when my novel is finished I believe I will create a third persona. I'm thinking Custard Cream or Garibaldi.

To the OP - steal a name you like from history, stick a pin in a map - if the name fits wear it. Good luck.
B