Writing Wednesday
Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my journey from writing to publication, marketing and writing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments. If you have any tips please share them with us…
To Pen Name or Not
I never considered using a pen name until recently. My first three, probably four books are nonfiction. I eventually want to write fiction and wondered if I should consider a pseudo name.
I think there are good reasons on both sides of the argument to use a pen name or not. In some cases publishers own/trademark names and hire ghostwriters to write under that name. Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars) started her career doing this sort of ghostwriting.
A pen name will not protect you from legal action so if you are considering slandering someone you would be better off giving them pseudo names and changing the scenario up a bit.
- If you write erotica at night and teach school during the day you might have a good reason to choose a pen name.
- For too long women authors had to use pseudo names or their initials because female writers weren’t respected. Thankfully this is no longer the case.
- If you are writing about highly controversial topics and want to avoid any backlash you might want to change your name. I think this is a terrible reason to use a pen name. If you are passionate and believe in your words, own them.
- You want to write in several genres and don’t want your readers to get confused. This was my reasoning for considering a name change. I decided against it because I hope my readers read my work because they like the way I tell a story, not simply because of the genre.
How about you? What reasons can you think of for using a pseudo name or not? Do you use on? Would you?
Happy writing,
Doreen
16 thoughts on “To Pen Name or Not…”
If you don’t want problems with your family, but you want to write about family issues, I say pen name. That’s what I have done.
Did they recognize themselves anyway?
My former employer made me use a pen name for freelance writing, as I was their spokesman and very visible. I wasn’t pleased.
That wouldn’t make me happy either.
At this point in my life, I own my words, so no pen name for me. It’s an interesting topic though, especially if one is exploring other areas of writing.
I thought about it but no pen name for me either.
I’ve considered using a pen name just because I don’t want my family of origin to know what’s been written, if I ever get up the nerve to write it all out. But, as crazy as it is, they’d know immediately it was about them. So I wait… until the major players are gone and I can use my real name.
They would recognize themselves immediately but my motto is if you don’t want me to write about it, don’t do it.
Different styles sounds like a great reason to use a pen name. I have a good friend who uses one because he’s a very big businessman in his day job. It’s worked for him.
That makes sense for him.
I guess it all depends on the situation. You’ve given me something to think about for sure although I’d end up using my real name and be proud of the story I’ve written. Thanks for this thought provoking post!
Thank you. I decided to keep my own name too.
I understand why people would use a pen name – mainly so they don’t hurt anyone’s feelings — but I would find it hard to go by another name. I guess it’s whatever a writer feels comfortable doing.
I would find it extremely hard too.
I could understand a pseudonym. I don’t have one but there are several things I can’t and won’t write about, so for those reasons I would use a pseudonym!
I am SO curious about what you wouldn’t write about.