Welcome to India's Inaugural Contest. Winner (chosen by random drawing) gets a $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble. Winner announced on Friday, April 20th.
For me, deciding to use a pseudonym is about boundaries. It allows me to maintain a certain amount of privacy while venturing into cyberspace, for example. I'm proud of what I write, but I'd like to keep some personal space. It's also because I've published in a nonfiction arena, and I'm not sure the two worlds mesh. Finally it gives me a chance to become someone entirely different and exotic. It's fun to be India Carolina.
I chose my pseudonym to honor my maternal grandmother. This was her name first.
To enter my contest, tell me why you would or wouldn't use a pseudonym. If you have one, tell me why you chose it.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
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23 comments:
Well, you know I have a pseudonym! It sort of chose me, I think. I just up and picked TessaD as my FanLit screen name, rather at random. Then after round 4, I got an email address for "Tessa," and I needed a last name for the D. I just picked "Dare," rather at random. Now I'm kind of stuck with it! If I were choosing now, I might choose differently - but I've come to love Tessa Dare as my writing alter ego. Tessa's less inhibited and shy than Eve is. :)
I'm not sure I would want a pseudonym. I think of Sandra Brown (Erin St.Claire,Rachel Ryan, etc.)I didn't know she was all of those people and if I did I would have made sure to buy her under those names. I think it gets confusing when a publisher owns your name.
I'm still thinking about this one... I have family members who would *not* approve, so that makes me want to slide a pseudonym in there. But I've never used one, even here on the internet. In my head, I'm just "Chris". But if I ever sell, well, yeah. I will probably use a pseudonym. I've even figured out what it will be.
But the logistics of being "someone else" on the internet and knowing which name to use on which form for contests and the like...that's a little overwhelming.
Someday, I'll be Chris Orleans. But for now, I'll stay 'just Chris.'
And: HI!!!!!!!!
Tessa, you must have great instincts because Tessa Dare is a lovely pseudonymn. And I agree there is some disinhibition using another name.
Beverly, I'm with you. It gets confusing when authors use multiple pseudonyms. I think these are mostly widely read authors who are trying to break into a different genre than what they are known for. But a lot of readers miss their books because they don't realize who it is.
Chris! Hi!! back at ya! So glad you stopped by. Chris Orleans is supercool. Interesting that you chose the name of a city. CM is of course Courtney Milan, and Tessa metioned to me that my pseudonymn was "a bit geographic". I think the names of wonderful locales conjure up positive associations.
Courtney Milan is a pseudonym. And I use a pseudonym to protect the ... I'd say the innocent, but it's really to protect the guilty. ;)
Oh. Right. Why I chose it.
Uh. Honestly, the initials "CM" came first. They stand for something, but if I told you what they stood for, you'd be able to figure out my eponym with a little judicious googling.
After choosing the initials "CM" I went through census data looking for names. I hated them all. I really wanted to be "Courtney Miles" but www.courtneymiles.com was already taken, so that was out.
Great topic India. I love you pseudonym by the way. I think that a pseudonym could be confusing. And I guess in a way I have one Fairiegreen, of course I won't use that as a writer, but that one came about as I was signing up for ebay gosh all those years ago, and a friend of mine and I were saying how 'very green' my eyes were. So there you have that.
I haven't chosen a pseudonym yet, although it has been on my mind lately, and there are many reasons why I am going to use a pseudonym, one, is because there is a whole world out there that would die of shock that I have a hint talent at all, and I wouldn't want to be responsilbe for that. Secondly, I am seriously considering writing in the Christian Romance too, and we wouldn't once again, want anyone to die of shock there either. I have a few ideas, but haven't totally decided, I will probably put it to a vote though, because I can't decide. And my mother and friend have their own opinions.
I don't have a pen name yet, but I would like to use one. I think it would be fun to become her. Have a special hat I put on or something when I need a little push to write.
I think I'll stick with my first name, though. I can't imagine learning to answer to a different name. Especially at conferences etc.
It's not that I am embarassed. But I don't need all my fans ;-) looking me up.
I love your site!
I think pseudonyms are excellent. I'm still playing with names. Yours is beautiful.
Hi Beth! So glad you stopped by. And thanks for the kind words.
CM, I doubt I'd be able to google your eponymn, but from what I've seen of your google abilities, I get why that's a concern.
Christina, sorry dear, but you have more than "a hint of talent". I'd say more like a heart of talent. I know. About now everyone is asking what dunderhead showed India how to italicize in html. Just another skill I picked up on FanLit.
Leigh. Yours has to be poetic. How about something like Aurora Leigh? Although I guess the aswering problem would remain.
I chose Cynthia Falcon, because frankly, I didn't think Cynthia Arends sounded good. Arends means eagle or something similar in Dutch. A few google searches showed there was already an author named Cynthia Eagle (I didn't like how it sounded anyhow). So I chose another bird of prey instead, the falcon.
My other name is Hyacinth Hawke, which will be my more steamy pseudonym.
Here I go, rambling again!
Hi Amy/India. I'm "chinagirl" from FanLit. I never finaled like all you superstars, but I got so much out of FanLit--feedback, friendship and an amazing sense of comraderie and shared excitement about writing.
I love your pseudonym and your new website.
My real first name is Lenore, but I decided to use Lenora because my great-grandmother signed her name both Lenore, and Lenora. I chose Bell because it was the surname the Bronte sisters published under. Charlotte Bronte was Currer Bell, Emily was Ellis Bell etc.
I added you to my blogroll. It's so great to see another wonderful writer and FanLitter online.
Great Blog, India, my CP and I were just talking about this! When I first started writing, I really wanted to write under a pseudonym, since my real name is not exactly the stuff historical romance is made of. So, I'd always imagined taking my favorite first name and my mother's maiden name: Olivia Hoffman. Though, since changing genres, I've also changed my mind about this as well.
Now that I've started writing YA, I think Mary Danielson works better than anything! I dont want something that dates my age, plus seeing my actual name in print would be amazing. I may slightly change the spelling of Mary (Meri, Merry, Miri, etc.), but I'm pretty committed to keeping my name on there for now.
You chose a great name - lovely & exotic, and with fun initials! :)
I want a pseudonym. I like my privacy, and though I'm sure it's flattering to be identified when you use your credit card at the grocery store, I'd really rather just finish my shopping. Plus I already have an academic publication under my real name, and it just seems more organized to have different names for different styles of writing.
That said, I just haven't been able to commit to a pseudonym. I like being Lindsey. I'm sure it will just take time to learn to identify with a different name, but I keep putting it off. I figure I'll worry about it when I have something to attach my name to!
Hi India,
I too chose a psuedonym in part to protect my privacy, although I have to say, I'm not sure how well it's worked in view of the fact that I've finaled in three contests and ALL of them have required me to use my real name rather than my pen name, which means my REAL name is out there and there's not much I can do about it. I also have to say that a big a part of the reason I decided I should have a pseudonym also had to do with the complete unpronounceability of my real surnames, both maiden and married. I already have to correct people on the pronunciation enough in life as it stands. No need to carry that problem into the publishing world if I can help it!
I chose Jacqueline Barbour as a pseudonym when I was in my teens (in other words, a LONG time ago). The first name is a riff on my maiden name, while the last is a riff on my first name.
I love the Falcon and the "Soar Spot", Cynthia!
Lenora, I remember you and your lovely writing well. I enjoyed your blog on writer's block by the way! Welcome!
Lindsey, I'm so looking forward to the day when you have something with your name on it too. That Vagabond anthology perhaps?
Mary, I was fond of the Merry Day handle you used on FanLit. And congrats on all your success with the teen event!
Jaqueline, hey! Welcome! Now I'm oh so curious as to what your real name is. I'll be scanning the contests to try and figure it out!
I really want to thank everyone for your input. You've made my first contest great fun.
Yes and after putting my names to a poll, and I have to say that the one I really wanted to win did not get one itsy bitsy vote, I have a a pseudonym now, thanks for the push.
oh, I suppose you would like to know, well after 5 choices, Sabre Gavriel (pronouneced sabraa)is the one I really liked, but it received no votes, however my second choice received an overwhelmingly amount of votes all but one, so I have decided to become Renee Lynn Scott, it is mine and my brothers middle names combined and it does seem to flow nicely.
Thank you India for making me step up to the plate. Now if I could only get that home run.
oh I can spell I really can, but my computer has been acting haywire lately, that and the combination of my brainless fingers. I apologize for the double letters and the miss typed words.
Yay! Renee Lynn Scott. I must've missed the vote! Darn this pesky day job!
Well hello there, India Carolina! It's doglady AKA Pamela Bolton-Holifield. That is my real name. I think a pseudonym is pretty much a given in this business. Like you I would like to honor the strong women in my life. My mother's name is Louise Jones (half Cherokee/half Creek Indian,)my maternal grandmother was Mary Cornelia Jordan (full blooded Creek,) my fraternal grandmother was Margaret Elvira Hughes (full blooded Welsh and tough as nails!)My dad's mother gave me my first typewriter when I was nine because I told her I was writing a book. I still have it. (The typewriter, that is!) So how about some suggestions - some combo of those names. What do we think? Great site, by the way! And it is great to see so many familiar names!
Doglady! I'm panting, I'm so happy to see you. Welcome. Hope you and your animal kingdom are well.
I think those names are fraught with potential. I'm likin' Hughes Jordan the best, although would love to get the Elvira in there somewhere.
You know Pam, I set up a poll over on Fanlit Forever and that is how I got my name and I love it, I just haven't quite met her yet, if you know what I mean.
Anyhow you have a wealth of possibilities. I like Jordan Hughes a lot, I thought of Margaret Hughes, or Cornelia Hughes, but Jordan Hughes has a wonderful ring to it, of course I am partial to Jordan.:) Whatever you decide let us know. Nice to see you around. Hope all is well in your world.
I had to laugh at the "panting" because you were happy to see me. Too funny as that is exactly how my motley crew greets me each day when I get home from the bakery. With them, however, it could be the smell of icing and fresh bread on my clothes! I did lose my beloved Great Dane, Glory on December 24th to bone cancer. I miss her every day. She was one of those once in a lifetime dogs. For some reason a month before she was diagnosed I agreed to take a chihuahua/Jack Russell cross puppy. His presence in the house has helped the other animals and I through the loss of our precious girl. His name is Frodo. I really like Jordan Hughes, Christina! How about Jordan E. Hughes to get Elvira in there. Is that not a great name? It was actually my grandmother's mother's first name. Now if you want to go strange I had a Great Aunt Haradella and an Aunt Deliradale! I am currently working on two books, both Regencies, with the amazing help of the gang at Passions' Slaves! Stay in touch, all!
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