Ever thought about using a pen name for your work? Check out Mae Clair’s very interesting post today on Story Empire for all sorts of pros and cons about this very topic. Lots of things I never thought about when I decided to start writing, that’s for sure. And as always, please consider passing this one along so other writers can learn more, too. Thanks, and thanks to Mae Clair for another super post! 🙂
Hello, SE readers! Mae with you today. If you’re a writer, at some point or another, you’ve probably considered using a pen name. Authors use pen names for various reasons ranging from privacy, to branding, to multi-genre writing.
Privacy is huge, especially in an online world where self-promotion is all but mandatory. I admit I’ve always been freaky about Facebook. Before I started publishing, I neither wanted nor had anything to do with it. As an author, I had to embrace it, but even that was a reluctant endeavor. Eventually, FB and I parted ways, but it’s still necessary that I promote myself elsewhere. If you’re an author, privacy only goes so far.
I’m fortunate that “Mae Clair” works in multiple genres. If I wanted to write hard-boiled crime thrillers, I might become M.L. Clair, but I can move around pretty easily with my name.
Those who are familiar with…
View original post 589 more words
The Write Stuff 
Hi Marcia Yes I agree! I used my pen name Diana Jackson for work too. It was my maiden name which I reverted to when my marriage broke down and when I remarried and began to write seriously I kept this pen name for both work and writing. Since I taught 17 – 19 year olds it was a way of keeping my private life to myself. Canny at that age! It became my public persona!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad it worked so well for you, Diana. (If you have time, can you leave a comment over on Story Empire, so Mae will be sure to see it, too?) I thought about pen names, myself, but decided at my age, I don’t have time to mess with the downside of them, so I’m going with my own name on anything I write, even my poetry.
Thanks for stopping by today and letting us know what has worked for you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do. Best of luck with your writing Marcia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Diana, and the same to you! Have a great Wodin’s Day! 😀
LikeLike
Great share, Marcia. Mae makes a bunch of good points on both sides of the question. I’m glad I stuck with my real name. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel the same way, Diana, though I can see where a pen name makes sense for some. But I just don’t have the time to worry about that. Glad you enjoyed the post, though. It does give you food for thought. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person