Do You Use a Pen Name In Writing? Why?
By phoenix35
@phoenix35 (384)
Philippines
July 24, 2012 2:08am CST
When I was still reading local pocketbooks, I had encountered a male writer who was using a name of a woman. In his profile, I discovered that it was the name of his deceased mom. The writer was using his mom's name as a pen name in loving memory of her.
Some writers prefer their own name, others like to sound mysterious that they use pen names on their articles. I admit that I used more than three pen names back then. But, it's not for secrecy or some interesting reason. It's actually, a silly reason. I prefer using a pen name on my work in search for a lucky break. And with my last pen name, I think, I finally had that break as a writer who earns.
How about you? Do you like to use a pen name or a user name? Why?
3 people like this
10 responses
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
Well, that pen name can be difficult to speak of or write (if I'm going to be a fan). But, it will be memorable since it's quite unique.
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
When I was in high school, I did experiment with pseudonyms. I came up with a few which I was fairly contented with. The interesting thing was there was only one name - Catherine DeVouhn - which I somehow felt was suitable for my short poems. In my case, writing the short poems made me feel like a deeper part of me was able to create that poem, and that's why I like the idea of a pseudonym.
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
Exactly, phoenix35. I felt that way with my poems too. Sometimes a different name brings certain vibrations most suitable for writing. If one were to examine all the pen names of the famous writers we have in our lifetime by numerology, they will be able to verify what we're saying.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
So, there is really nothing wrong in using pen names. It isn't really hiding an identity but for other reasons - and for us, it is just actually fitting our names into our work.
1 person likes this
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
You know? Somehow my real name doesn't fit nicely with my articles. With my pen name, I feel much relaxed.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
26 Jul 12
I was thinking of using a pen name because well my real name would make people think I am writing non-fiction Mennonite religious stuff instead of the science fiction/horror/romantic fantasy adventures that I love. So unless I am going to write a Mennonite novel, I will have to use a pen name.
Will have to tell my friends about it, so they will know that ------ us really me.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
29 Jul 12
I will have to think of one when my novel is ready to pubish. It still has kinks in it, but really I do not want anyone to think "Why would she write something like that," if I use my real name. It is the assumption.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
30 Jul 12
I can relate to this one lol... I wrote an article about Viagra last year. Actually, I wrote it for humor. Well, if my friends would found out that I've wrote about that one, I don't know what they'll think of me.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
27 Jul 12
A pen name would be nice. Sometimes, a writer can be inspired by his or her own pen name. Well, it works for me. My pen name is fitting for both fiction and non fiction articles.
1 person likes this
@DarthJustice (2014)
• United States
1 Aug 12
I've never really used a pen name. Though I have thought about doing so if I ever seriously started trying to officially publish my stuff that's not on, say, a site like Fiction Press or something.
I've even thought about what names I might like to use. I've decided that if I really did use a pen name, I might use my middle name as my first name (which shortened is Frank).
I've kind of thought I might not change my last name but if I did, I might go by something like "Frank Maddox".
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
1 Aug 12
That's a very mysterious pen name for me. Reminded me of Frank Castle AKA 'The Punisher' and Madmaxx. Wow, way too cool. Do use it.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
A perfect pen name comes naturally. Me? One day, I woke up thinking, I want to be the Phoenix he he. Actually, the idea came from JK Rowling's Harry Potter. I was reading the 7th book when I began to appreciate the qualities of a phoenix.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
Well, that's really nice. I hope you find your perfect pen name soon :)
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
24 Jul 12
Hi friend, i am interested in using my real name than using a pen name. Mostly i write my articles with my real name as well as use my name as my username in most of the sites. Since using our real name will give our real identity, as well as our friends will find out easily thought out the sites
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
Hello, there. Back then, I was excited to use my real name. It was my dream to become a novelist with published book with my real name on it. I didn't published any book though, but I did made it in a local comic magazine. Well, it just felt funny seeing my real name on a published material. And when, I started on line writing, my real had seemed unlucky.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
I use a nickname or a pen name as much as possible. I don't really like using my real name because I like to keep my privacy.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
24 Jul 12
I use my real name, because my surname is quite unusual, so I figure it will stick with people. I want to build up a good reputation as a writer, and that's the way to do it, in my opinion.
Also, I think it's more professional if you're serious about writing and want to make a career of it. If you want to use a pen name to protect your privacy, it should be something that sounds like a real name, rather than a 'user name' thing.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
25 Jul 12
Well, I guess I'm doing it right, my pen name is Phoenix Montoya. So, it's like a real name too. There are some writing sites that only requires only username, so I always use the same one, so that my friends will know that it's me.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
Pen names are usually used by authors when they do not want to reveal their real name. It's a pseudonym like nick names or aliases. So, if you are referring to usernames that you do not use your real name then it's related he he. I too feel relaxed when I'm using pen names. It's not that I like my real name, its just that I can freely express myself.
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
24 Jul 12
Yes I will use pen name when I writing,my pen name is total different from my real name,but my pen name also is man's name.I just have one pen name so actually it is my another important name,my pen name is more power and definitely cool,lol,cause my pen name is that the person who I want to be.
@phoenix35 (384)
• Philippines
24 Jul 12
Well, your pen name must be a secret, so I won't ask about it :)
