Joyce Carol Oates writes under the nom de plumes Rae Jolene Smith and Fernandes and Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly. Stephen King has written under the name Richard Bachman. Rita Mae Brown writes as a cat named Sneak Pie Brown. By writing under an assumed name, you can hide yourself twice: Once as the character, and again as the fake writer. This allows for twice the eccentricies. Twice the distance between the real you and the page. What would be your dream nom de plume? Who would be that other you? Would you even be human? Let’s hear it.
The alt approach is “The Fernando Pessoa”, where you hide yourself in so many different heteronyms with their own separate backstories that you forget who you are completely.
Cursed item traveling through all the postal stops in the US. Leaving a wake of missing keys and stubbed toes as it is tossed into the next mail truck.
I've considered going with Carl Harrison. Carl is a frequently used middle name in my family tree. And Harrison is my son's name.
The only reason I would use a pen name is that I own and operate an indie bookstore that has a more wholesome feel than the content I like to create with words.
Honestly my pen name would be Paul Crane because decades ago I had a musical dream in which that was my name. I can still sing the tune to “la la la laaah, Paul Crane. Paul CRAAAANNE dee dee dah dah…”
Honestly, mine is Remy Lazarus. I am never confident in my writing but it helps me to sort of separate the “real” me from the “writer” me. If there is ever any comment on what I write, it’s not about me, it’s about some guy named Remy.
I’d go with Wayland Still Smoking. I worked in client services a long time ago and got a woman on the line whose legal last name was Still Smoking. I didn’t ask her if she changed it, but when I asked her if it was really her last name she gave a resounding “yes” with a sigh.
Have you ever written under another name Chuck? If so, what was the purpose? I know Stephen King did it to see what people would think of his work without having his celebrity attached to it.
Ha. If I hadn’t come across someone in real life who had it, I’d never have loved it so much. She of course had a raspy voice as well. And honestly I’ll never use a pen name. So, kinda a hard question for me to answer. Interesting you’ve never used an alt name!
I write under the pen name Charlotte Dune, because I've directed and produced non-related films under my real name, and because as Charlotte Dune I write novels with sex and psychedelics and I don't want my daughter's middle school teacher googling my real name and finding my Ex-rated books! Haha
I have the urge to write edgy non-fiction under the pen name Zrien Kersh, which is my real name with the letters rearranged. I like it because you can't really tell its ethnicity or gender, but three identities seems like a lot... so I probably won't do that. Two is enough for me! Love this question too!
We were at an American Library Association conference and, naturally, they give out hundreds of free books so even though we try to be choosy we needed to ship some home. My husband decided on the spot to send the box to our dog, Maximus. He also made up a last name that is part mine (Shoemaker) and part his (McCurdy). So our package went to Maximus McMaker. I'd use that.
Im stating the obvious, but Occam S Raisor, or Hanlon S Raisor.
Now Im wondering what John's Razor would be? The simplest, most obvious answer is the funniest answer.
I just learned about Rage, a book that King wrote under Bachman about an abused teenager holding a class at gunpoint. He had the publishers stop printing it after columbine.
I see that you caught on to my act. I must admit I am surprised how long it took you. My name is not Strepatitis and I don’t always wear green thongs to the beach. I wonder what Chuck Palahnuik uses for his alias? Maybe he will inform the masses one day. And maybe one day I will do the same. Not today tho.
That's a good idea. A comic shop franchised in prisons.
Last week I joked that my only viable retirement plan was to go to prison in old age. People gave me that kind of sick laugh that suggests they have the same resignation and long-term plan.
I thought about using my initials but that would be "CAJones" which is too close to "cojones" and would probably result in a totally different response to my writing than I would hope for.
That said, I've thought about it and may use Alan Richards or Mike Taylor. The first one because is my middle name and the americanizing of my mother's maiden name and the second one because it just sounds like an aggressively average name which would be better for darker work or skating to close to using real people/events in my work.
I would totally write as my dog—- Sassy. She would have a lot to say and could be the gossip columnists to end all gossip columns. Maybe, a “Dear Sassy” section—- I have a feeling sleeping, going for rides and chewing on her new avocado toast toy (thank you, Chuck!) might be some great go-to answers for her readers. Lol. Going outside for a walk and naps seem to be the answer to everything!
It was perfect for her!!! You find the best squeakers, too!!! Hahaa. Thank you for the birthday kindness!!!! She’s napping now! ♥️🥰🐾👍🏽 The hide a treat hot dog—- she had that apart in seconds!! She’s like Groucho Marks with the hot dog in her mouth. Heheee.
Inspired by this Substack and the creative tasks, I have started a beginners writing course and I’m planning to do more! Though I do think a pen name would be much harder to think of than a plot. In a similar vein, I was always one to get stuck on the opening paragraph of an essay -
I’d always have to come back to that. At 34+ years old (and a surname swap from marriage) I feel like I’m finally comfortable with my own name so I’d be tempted to be dull and stick with that.
Also interesting that you could hide yourself as a character if you had a different name - I like the references in Lunar Park and J-Pod to the authors.
Sometimes, I think it's better to treat pennames like a very strong password; something complicated, hard to correlate. But then, it's no fun if people can't figure it out. If it were up to me, I'd probably just go with two initials and a cool-sounding surname. (Note: I have written under pseudonyms before, but not for original fiction.)
Paul Eszterhaz - that's my writing name, hopefully obscure enough that no one where I work will ever discover my fiction. I have this fear that if management were ever to discover my work and what I do for a hobby, I'd get a tap on the shoulder and asked to come into the conference room for a 'chat'...
Jay McShady. I’ve been told by friends that I have face that people shouldn’t trust. Figure I’ll lean into it now. If ever I was asked by a reader, “ is that your real name?” My response would be “No. I was born Derrick McShady, but who would ever read shit by that name. Derrick sounds like a guy who does your taxes. Jay McShady spills your secrets. Thanks for reading!”
Seriously though, maybe not change the name but the spelling of name. Then I'd start a war with the other Carrie Ann about using my name even tho it's spelled differently just cuz I know the controversy will sell books. Winner winner chicken dinner for everyone.........
Lol I actually love that more.......maybe I'll write under 2 fake names and one is friend one for until the friend stabs me in the back cuz I get to be the most famous of the 3......
My middle name is Jay and the surname on my mother’s side of the family is Baird. My nom de plume was thus -- Jay Baird; a crumb trail of a nom de plume.
Barry King. A Parisian world traveler, in his late 50s. He studied in Europe and moved to the states to learn under the tutelage of the best American writers
I’ve always loved the sound of Virgil West. A combination of a long-dead familial patriarch, and my mother’s maiden name. With a name like that I’d have to leave behind a few westerns though. Yeehaw.
Rabbi being the latest nickname people gave me. It has a nice ring to it. Iblis was my old teenage one, which is another name of the devil. So, Rabbi-Satan/Iblis. Come to think of it, very convenient for the contradictory elements that shape the 21st century Moroccan-Muslim spirit. On Friday noon he's Mother Teresa at the Mosque, and next two nights he's wreaking havoc at police stations, brothels and bars.
I considered Jack Slade. My actual name is too hard to spell, plus nobody pronounces it correctly. Also, I like the simplicity. It sounds hard-edged and no-nonsense to me, which is how I try to write.
My name also gets butchered during pronunciation. Married name is slightly better but I usually get a “Meh”gan, sometimes from members of my own family.
Indie Wood Pecker is my nom de plume. A kawaii doll with an independent streak and the superpower to hammer at a good story till she gets it right. Here's a little food for thought.
Growing up, my momma never let me play with dolls. She forced me to put on a starched, white gee and learn Shotokan karate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm. I loved to play with dolls and soft toys. She hated girls who liked to play with dolls and thought they should toughen up and learn self defence instead.
I loved to listen to stories too. She never told me any bedtime story either. My daddy was good at that. Once, he bought me a pretty barbie when I was 5, she didn't talk to him for a week. He never wasted any money on a present for me ever again.
Why is it that this post and all the responses all sound like confessions? Everyone in their own little constructed churches. I love how everyone is hiding.
And given the choice, I certainly wouldn't write as a human.
Note how when people put on a costume they're usually being more honest about who they actually are. Or aspire to be. Writing fiction is just that costume that allows you to be more yourself. As does a pen name.
Ahaha, probably because everyone saw a chance to unravel that little secret of theirs. And I'm one of them. Although probably forgetting that it doesn't make much of a difference to the outside world.
Also how weird would have been commenting on one of the Gloves Off posts or any other of Chuck's anecdotes, "Oh by the way everyone, this is a pen name, but I'm still me."
I’ve seriously considered a pen name, but haven’t found the right one yet. All that ever pops into my head are Ben Dover and the like. No wonder I got matched with -this guy- (see link) during high school matchmaker 😁😆😆
Though, in all honesty, I knew an actual “Dick Pierce.” Dude totally could have gone by Richard, but made that choice to have every man he met wince during introductions.
As well as publishing under my own name I publish horror short stories as Rue
Karney. Writing as Rue gives a whole different approach to how I write. She is more out there & less afraid…though the older I get the more similar we become! I chose Rue because it’s a derivative of my nickname (Ree) and Karney comes from Carnivale (as in the carnivale writing tradition that goes back to Rabelais) & “carney”, the slang word for people who work on the sideshow circuit. Rue is my more fun, evil twin!
I wouldn't have a nom de plume. If anything it would be reversed. The congealed thoughts, ideas, and intangible conections are subdued under normal pretense and names. I would be the alter, the non identifying portion of construct. What is said in everyday life is the facade. The security of abandoning one name vs the other is almost equal. Which one will stand to be your identifing front? Which one is molding the ablity to revoke fears and exspell congealed thoughts? My answer is simple, I dont fucking know.
I always get called Denise when I make drink orders and I just go with it. I joke that Denise is my Shadow Link. My other self. Maybe that would make a good one. Denise....Denise Verus.
Middle name, First name initial, Middle name again with a flourish tacked on... a bit in the vein of poet William Carlos Williams blend with O. Henry. So maybe Stephen King becomes Edwin S Edwards. Maybe Joyce Carol Oates becomes Carol J Karlson. There is some reality and recognition there, but a definite shield behind which the eccentrics can do their best work.
It might be a fun exercise in any workshop to have the writers name each other. Then each writer must write in the persona assigned to them by the suggestion of the new name.
One of my favorite scifi pulp authors Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley. So it seems like you can work together with someone else under one name. My substack name is something Chuck Palahniuk signed in a book for me. I like using assumed names because my real name is very searchable. That way I can insulate my normal identity from whatever I want to write. I can push boundaries with a little more comfort with less impact to my 9 to 5.
I thought, since the internet began, everyone has been writing under an assumed name. I have been Writingsucks, Shizzy Nizzo, and several other less savory names throughout the years.
hilarious.
My real name is already my porn name :)
uh - yeah!
If you do that little 'first street you lived on and first pet' thing - my porn name is
Ivy Railroad
My first pet/Street name gave me Totty Hilton 🤭
Ah “rail” road
keepin' it classy.
Wendy King
Mine’s Speedball Layla, using the porn name formula. Seems like a decent pseudonym as well, now that I’m thinking about it.
😆
gold
I’m claiming H.P. Loveshaft
Oh my gosh I just thought of one - 'Big Bush Buck'. Is that too much?
There’s no such thing as “too much” in this context.
😂😆
See above.
By the way, Peter D, the Casket of Secrets went out to you today via UPS. Be very afraid.
The alt approach is “The Fernando Pessoa”, where you hide yourself in so many different heteronyms with their own separate backstories that you forget who you are completely.
Cursed item traveling through all the postal stops in the US. Leaving a wake of missing keys and stubbed toes as it is tossed into the next mail truck.
And workplace violence.
So what's your other name you write under??????
I've considered going with Carl Harrison. Carl is a frequently used middle name in my family tree. And Harrison is my son's name.
The only reason I would use a pen name is that I own and operate an indie bookstore that has a more wholesome feel than the content I like to create with words.
First thought was Carl Hiaasen, one of my favorite authors.
Good name, good logic.
Honestly my pen name would be Paul Crane because decades ago I had a musical dream in which that was my name. I can still sing the tune to “la la la laaah, Paul Crane. Paul CRAAAANNE dee dee dah dah…”
I really like that!!!
Thank you!
Honestly, mine is Remy Lazarus. I am never confident in my writing but it helps me to sort of separate the “real” me from the “writer” me. If there is ever any comment on what I write, it’s not about me, it’s about some guy named Remy.
Love this. I do the same and it makes me able to be more bold.
Funny thing is, I read your comment and I’m ALSO a filmmaker haha
Ahh so cool! Filmmakers who secretly write unite!
Exactly. A writing identity takes the burden off of you. It allows you to be bold. It makes the writing not-about-you. It's freedom.
Lazarus is a cool name. Good choice.
I’d go with Wayland Still Smoking. I worked in client services a long time ago and got a woman on the line whose legal last name was Still Smoking. I didn’t ask her if she changed it, but when I asked her if it was really her last name she gave a resounding “yes” with a sigh.
Have you ever written under another name Chuck? If so, what was the purpose? I know Stephen King did it to see what people would think of his work without having his celebrity attached to it.
That sounds a little aboriginal. Like John Kicking Bear.
And, nope, have never written under a false name... yet.
Ha. If I hadn’t come across someone in real life who had it, I’d never have loved it so much. She of course had a raspy voice as well. And honestly I’ll never use a pen name. So, kinda a hard question for me to answer. Interesting you’ve never used an alt name!
I was just about to ask if this post was the preparation for a reveal that you’re also a successful romance writer that utilizes maximalism techniques
I write under the pen name Charlotte Dune, because I've directed and produced non-related films under my real name, and because as Charlotte Dune I write novels with sex and psychedelics and I don't want my daughter's middle school teacher googling my real name and finding my Ex-rated books! Haha
I have the urge to write edgy non-fiction under the pen name Zrien Kersh, which is my real name with the letters rearranged. I like it because you can't really tell its ethnicity or gender, but three identities seems like a lot... so I probably won't do that. Two is enough for me! Love this question too!
We were at an American Library Association conference and, naturally, they give out hundreds of free books so even though we try to be choosy we needed to ship some home. My husband decided on the spot to send the box to our dog, Maximus. He also made up a last name that is part mine (Shoemaker) and part his (McCurdy). So our package went to Maximus McMaker. I'd use that.
Again love the logic behind all of these!! Not my strength. 😆
Not all that glitters is logical. Or something. I'm for a lot more heart and gut feelings here...
Not the same but i love when authors
has middle name letter like Philip K Dick, but i got three middle names including one that has two.
It'd be David JYCS Humbert
That might be cumbersome...
Thanks for teaching me a new english word :)
Wait, is this a riddle? If we figure out your other name by the clues we get a prize?????
Already got it. My real name is as conventional as Larry Suburban another nom de plume.
Im stating the obvious, but Occam S Raisor, or Hanlon S Raisor.
Now Im wondering what John's Razor would be? The simplest, most obvious answer is the funniest answer.
I just learned about Rage, a book that King wrote under Bachman about an abused teenager holding a class at gunpoint. He had the publishers stop printing it after columbine.
I vote that you should be Hell Raisor.
“Rage” was also the story behind Pearl Jam’s, “Jeremy.”
Well— I must be daft, because I have no idea what you’re talking about.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcjXBhTuzM0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Idiot Spit
My favorite punk band!
The Iggy Pop of Short Storying
I see that you caught on to my act. I must admit I am surprised how long it took you. My name is not Strepatitis and I don’t always wear green thongs to the beach. I wonder what Chuck Palahnuik uses for his alias? Maybe he will inform the masses one day. And maybe one day I will do the same. Not today tho.
My alias will be Blush Gentry, and I'll write the romance novels my grandmother read by the carton load.
I’ll lookout for Blush Gentry.
There's a Blush Gentry romance novel used as a splash page in Fight Club III.
Fight Club III? Didn’t even know there was a second one. Do they sell them in any prisons?
That's a good idea. A comic shop franchised in prisons.
Last week I joked that my only viable retirement plan was to go to prison in old age. People gave me that kind of sick laugh that suggests they have the same resignation and long-term plan.
Look out for Oscarpocalypse Now
I thought about using my initials but that would be "CAJones" which is too close to "cojones" and would probably result in a totally different response to my writing than I would hope for.
That said, I've thought about it and may use Alan Richards or Mike Taylor. The first one because is my middle name and the americanizing of my mother's maiden name and the second one because it just sounds like an aggressively average name which would be better for darker work or skating to close to using real people/events in my work.
Love the logic.
If I could use Marianne Faithfull, as legend has she was the person that the song I was named after was about, I would tho.......
I hadn't considered that I could write as a cat - I'd be down for that. Or maybe an extraterrestrial from Pluto - a Plutonian, if you will.
Name wise, I've considered using the name Rayne somehow - always liked it. 😊
Oooo! Rayne Petrichor 😎
As a ghost writer I am many people, many voices and many guises. Sometimes I want to be me.
I would totally write as my dog—- Sassy. She would have a lot to say and could be the gossip columnists to end all gossip columns. Maybe, a “Dear Sassy” section—- I have a feeling sleeping, going for rides and chewing on her new avocado toast toy (thank you, Chuck!) might be some great go-to answers for her readers. Lol. Going outside for a walk and naps seem to be the answer to everything!
Isn't the toast the best toy toy? Happy belated birthday to Sassy.
It was perfect for her!!! You find the best squeakers, too!!! Hahaa. Thank you for the birthday kindness!!!! She’s napping now! ♥️🥰🐾👍🏽 The hide a treat hot dog—- she had that apart in seconds!! She’s like Groucho Marks with the hot dog in her mouth. Heheee.
I love this Dear Sassy idea.
Sassy eagerly awaits her first letter through “our” Substack. ♥️🫣😁
Inspired by this Substack and the creative tasks, I have started a beginners writing course and I’m planning to do more! Though I do think a pen name would be much harder to think of than a plot. In a similar vein, I was always one to get stuck on the opening paragraph of an essay -
I’d always have to come back to that. At 34+ years old (and a surname swap from marriage) I feel like I’m finally comfortable with my own name so I’d be tempted to be dull and stick with that.
Also interesting that you could hide yourself as a character if you had a different name - I like the references in Lunar Park and J-Pod to the authors.
Yes I feel sad sometimes that my maiden name will never get any credit as a writer.
I sincerely do love "Cheap crass devil worshiper.' I feel like the readers would know exactly what they were getting and would love it. Lol
Sometimes, I think it's better to treat pennames like a very strong password; something complicated, hard to correlate. But then, it's no fun if people can't figure it out. If it were up to me, I'd probably just go with two initials and a cool-sounding surname. (Note: I have written under pseudonyms before, but not for original fiction.)
Paul Eszterhaz - that's my writing name, hopefully obscure enough that no one where I work will ever discover my fiction. I have this fear that if management were ever to discover my work and what I do for a hobby, I'd get a tap on the shoulder and asked to come into the conference room for a 'chat'...
Jay McShady. I’ve been told by friends that I have face that people shouldn’t trust. Figure I’ll lean into it now. If ever I was asked by a reader, “ is that your real name?” My response would be “No. I was born Derrick McShady, but who would ever read shit by that name. Derrick sounds like a guy who does your taxes. Jay McShady spills your secrets. Thanks for reading!”
Walter Ego.
Why do I find that so compelling? Because it sounds like Alter Ego?
Or maybe Anne Ominous?
Gonzo Gidget
I always wanted to be a micro dosed reporter from the seaweed laden ocean shore in Ca.
Probably its little too much for a pen name, but I have gone by Sepia Apocalypse before 😁
Oooohh
Seriously though, maybe not change the name but the spelling of name. Then I'd start a war with the other Carrie Ann about using my name even tho it's spelled differently just cuz I know the controversy will sell books. Winner winner chicken dinner for everyone.........
Lol I actually love that more.......maybe I'll write under 2 fake names and one is friend one for until the friend stabs me in the back cuz I get to be the most famous of the 3......
I can make the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp defamation case look like child's play........
Lol.......I'm laughing too hard to be quick witted right now......
My middle name is Jay and the surname on my mother’s side of the family is Baird. My nom de plume was thus -- Jay Baird; a crumb trail of a nom de plume.
Barry King. A Parisian world traveler, in his late 50s. He studied in Europe and moved to the states to learn under the tutelage of the best American writers
Warren Jebediah DeFo
I’ve always loved the sound of Virgil West. A combination of a long-dead familial patriarch, and my mother’s maiden name. With a name like that I’d have to leave behind a few westerns though. Yeehaw.
I’m gonna start something -- is Thomas Pynchon a nom de plume? Is it one person? Is it even a person?
He's the zodiac killer
I can see this. The maniac probably left some clues to the zodiac ciphers in his books.
Rabbi being the latest nickname people gave me. It has a nice ring to it. Iblis was my old teenage one, which is another name of the devil. So, Rabbi-Satan/Iblis. Come to think of it, very convenient for the contradictory elements that shape the 21st century Moroccan-Muslim spirit. On Friday noon he's Mother Teresa at the Mosque, and next two nights he's wreaking havoc at police stations, brothels and bars.
Maybes you’ve read my academic work: Metaphor in the Norse Sagas by Skäld Kennings.
George Stark. If you know, you know.
I dig it.
He’s to die for
I considered Jack Slade. My actual name is too hard to spell, plus nobody pronounces it correctly. Also, I like the simplicity. It sounds hard-edged and no-nonsense to me, which is how I try to write.
My name also gets butchered during pronunciation. Married name is slightly better but I usually get a “Meh”gan, sometimes from members of my own family.
Is it pronounced "May"gan then? 🤔
It is!! “May”gan Hyle is how it sounds. Or rhymes with Reagan Trial 😁😂😂😂
I had to look up "nom de plumes." Now I feel stupid. I guess I'd use Nothingman as a pen name.
Indie Wood Pecker is my nom de plume. A kawaii doll with an independent streak and the superpower to hammer at a good story till she gets it right. Here's a little food for thought.
Growing up, my momma never let me play with dolls. She forced me to put on a starched, white gee and learn Shotokan karate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm. I loved to play with dolls and soft toys. She hated girls who liked to play with dolls and thought they should toughen up and learn self defence instead.
I loved to listen to stories too. She never told me any bedtime story either. My daddy was good at that. Once, he bought me a pretty barbie when I was 5, she didn't talk to him for a week. He never wasted any money on a present for me ever again.
Yikes!
Why is it that this post and all the responses all sound like confessions? Everyone in their own little constructed churches. I love how everyone is hiding.
And given the choice, I certainly wouldn't write as a human.
Chuck?
I love that Movie.
Note how when people put on a costume they're usually being more honest about who they actually are. Or aspire to be. Writing fiction is just that costume that allows you to be more yourself. As does a pen name.
I love that using a name is a literary mask.
Like what do you dress up as on Halloween allows you to be someone else. Or like a drag queen.
Ahaha, probably because everyone saw a chance to unravel that little secret of theirs. And I'm one of them. Although probably forgetting that it doesn't make much of a difference to the outside world.
Also how weird would have been commenting on one of the Gloves Off posts or any other of Chuck's anecdotes, "Oh by the way everyone, this is a pen name, but I'm still me."
I love it. Like telling secrets in the dark because you can't see people's faces.
“Blind Date with a Writer” soon on Netflix 😂
I’ve seriously considered a pen name, but haven’t found the right one yet. All that ever pops into my head are Ben Dover and the like. No wonder I got matched with -this guy- (see link) during high school matchmaker 😁😆😆
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c4s4FXDS81HvQ4GE8Py3xqYA
Oh geez🤣 you would.
My favorite alternate name (and favorite character, possibly of all time) is Saul Goodman from Better Call Saul.
S’all good man.
I.P. Freely, author of The Yellow River series was a personal fave of mine.
Though, in all honesty, I knew an actual “Dick Pierce.” Dude totally could have gone by Richard, but made that choice to have every man he met wince during introductions.
😂
😆
As well as publishing under my own name I publish horror short stories as Rue
Karney. Writing as Rue gives a whole different approach to how I write. She is more out there & less afraid…though the older I get the more similar we become! I chose Rue because it’s a derivative of my nickname (Ree) and Karney comes from Carnivale (as in the carnivale writing tradition that goes back to Rabelais) & “carney”, the slang word for people who work on the sideshow circuit. Rue is my more fun, evil twin!
I wouldn't have a nom de plume. If anything it would be reversed. The congealed thoughts, ideas, and intangible conections are subdued under normal pretense and names. I would be the alter, the non identifying portion of construct. What is said in everyday life is the facade. The security of abandoning one name vs the other is almost equal. Which one will stand to be your identifing front? Which one is molding the ablity to revoke fears and exspell congealed thoughts? My answer is simple, I dont fucking know.
Geez, who died and made you David Foster Wallace?
Cracking me up
thats a hard question to answer oh wait no i work medical and most my writing is charting in the ER
I always get called Denise when I make drink orders and I just go with it. I joke that Denise is my Shadow Link. My other self. Maybe that would make a good one. Denise....Denise Verus.
Middle name, First name initial, Middle name again with a flourish tacked on... a bit in the vein of poet William Carlos Williams blend with O. Henry. So maybe Stephen King becomes Edwin S Edwards. Maybe Joyce Carol Oates becomes Carol J Karlson. There is some reality and recognition there, but a definite shield behind which the eccentrics can do their best work.
It might be a fun exercise in any workshop to have the writers name each other. Then each writer must write in the persona assigned to them by the suggestion of the new name.
Way more fun if you gave me a new name...........
Oh god yes! I have a name that some doesn’t even know they need yet that’s so epic they can only have pure success writing under it.
Decades ago I read a short story that ended with the lines, "My fear is not that I won't be loved again. My fear is that I won't be nicknamed."
There is a special, secret insider quality to names we give one another in relationships.
One of my favorite scifi pulp authors Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley. So it seems like you can work together with someone else under one name. My substack name is something Chuck Palahniuk signed in a book for me. I like using assumed names because my real name is very searchable. That way I can insulate my normal identity from whatever I want to write. I can push boundaries with a little more comfort with less impact to my 9 to 5.
I thought, since the internet began, everyone has been writing under an assumed name. I have been Writingsucks, Shizzy Nizzo, and several other less savory names throughout the years.