I disagree, Jonathan, but then again, I use my real name to brand my crafts. So as you said, I had other reasons for using a penname.

Perhaps this next question needs its own thread.

What makes a name "authorly"?

No, I think that fits in this discussion, Varon.

It's a matter of essence. For me I needed a name that "sounded" like a screenwriter. That was an essence of adaptability, trustworthiness, and reliability. It couldn't be too historical or too old-fashioned. It had to be lightly trendy, fairly timeless, and not too bizarrely modern. Additionally, I needed a name that was cross-genre. It couldn't be too heavy and historical/fantasy, or too obscure and sci-fi. I needed versatility.

For me, my real name didn't fit that essence. "Aubrey Hansen" does, and it's also unique enough (no one had used this name to build an extensive brand on the web before I came along. I Googled it). Additionally I think an "authorly" name is easy to remember and easy to spell, though some people prefer to forgo easy spelling in terms of being memorable. It depends on what you need in a pen name, which depends on what you write. For me, that's what "authorly" meant. For other people, it might mean something different.

Okay.

I intend to publish under my real first name and part of my middle name (it flows better that way), because I want my name to be recognizable even if my last name should change.

That's one of the reasons I want to publish under a pen name.

Ophelia M. is my first and middle name, but Shaye is a pen name.


~ZA

*Nods with Millzees and Mirza* I chose a variation-ish of my real name and the name that has come to reflect me (Azlyn) and I like how it turned out.

*Tiptoes back into an older thread*

I thought I had a pen name I was happy with. I love the name Azlyn, and I like my real name Rose, so mashing them together seemed like the perfect combo. However, now since I am thinking I'll more be aiming for the traditional publishing route, I'm imagining things like book signings (yes, very far in the future ) and thinking that if I'm meeting my readers face to face, I'd feel almost as if I was lying to sign books with my 'name' that wasn't my name. I don't know. I'm starting to lean towards the BushMaid thinking about pen names.

So I am stuck. I really don't want to drop the name Azlyn. It has come to reflect me. Though if I am going to use my real name, then Azlyn doesn't fit.

Thus, I came to you guys.

My full name is Patricia Rose Williams (I go by my middle name, as mentioned earlier in this thread).

That leaves some room for variations thereof. No parts of my name are particularly hard to spell (though people have stumbled over 'Patricia' before), so for the most part that's a good thing.

My last name is dead common, and the name Rose Williams is common also, and based on a quick google search, there are other authors out there with the name Rose Williams. So I am thinking something along the lines of a variation of it, if I do decide to drop the pen name. Like Patricia R Williams or something.

What do you guys think? Should I drop the pen name? I'm really stuck and also mentally headdesking over this.

(One more thing I should mention: I desperately want to avoid being nicknamed 'Patty' of 'Pat' in any cases, though I am not sure if that would even be an issue in this case. That is why my parents decided to call me by my middle name, to avoid that.)

You could go for Rose P Williams, or Rose Patricia, and leave off the surname, but use your first names. I think Patricia R Williams sounds good as well.

Personally, I always thought I'd not use a pen name; but after some thought I recently realised that my surname is something everyone always pronounces wrong. So I decided that if I ever do get published, I won't be using my real surname.

Azzie, Patricia Williams is a great name! It is also genre neutral. Having a "common" last name is actually not a bad thing, either. Makes you easy to recognize.

I think you have a good name that you can use, but I will let Sir Froggy Luke come in and give his thoughts, since he is very knowledgeable on the subject and has lots of insightful advice about pen names. Matt is actually the one who sealed the deal on whether or not I was going to use a pen name or not.

*Realizes this is out of date* After showing people from my church a proof copy and explaining over and over why I was publishing under "Shaye" instead of "Flowers", I decided to stick with my real name. It was a lot simpler.


@Maye, One thing to consider with a pen name is that the people who know you will ask why you aren't using your real name.

~ZA

Thanks! If I did use Patricia Williams, I would put an R in there, because that is also my Grandma's name. I'm hoping Mac will come in here too and give some thoughts.


*Nods* Yes, I'm not sure how to pronounce your last name! There is room for variation, too.

*Nods again* Yes, and I am thinking I would like to avoid that.

What if you were co authors but you wanted one pen name? Could you do that? Or would you have to have two pen names?

Mother and Dad don't want to use their real names, they want to use a pen name. They wrote the book together really, and then also Mother is doing the art etc, and they want to use maybe one pen name for both of them. Do you think that would work?

I think I've seen it done a series before, it was the Runes of Medarya series, I think. It was written by an entire family though.

I've heard of that being done. The author, Erin Hunter is actually four people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Hunter

~ZA

@Elanor: That would work, I'm sure. With two people that close I doubt it could cause any problems.

@Az: I know what y'all mean about having to explain. I've told so many friends why I use a pen name. After a little while, though, they all know, and you don't have to explain anymore. Unless you meet somebody new. Which I don't do very often.

There are a lot of Patricia Williamses about. While having a common last name can make you easier to remember, it can also get you mixed up with other people. Especially with a name that common. One friend got Peter Jackson, Andrew Jackson, and Samuel Jackson mixed up.

Rose, on the other hand, isn't as common of a last name, while still being very easy to remember. Also, if you write fantasy, it would put you on the shelf near the super-famous Rothfuss, Tolkien, Paolini, etc. Azlyn Rose is an adorable name, while Patricia, at least in my experience, is a name that carries a slight 'outdated' and stiff connotation. Nothing against your name, of course. It just seems to fit in with those names like Margaret and Polly, that are common for old people and uncommon for young people. Also, Williams is so common and normal that there's nothing interesting about it. Except if you write really funny stuff people might wonder if you're related to Robin Williams. /lamejoke

Finally, about introducing yourself under your pen name. A name is something that other people call you by. Whatever somebody calls you by, or whatever you ask them to call you, that's one of your names. Nicknames (of which I have many), are just as valid for everyday use as your real name. So don't feel bad, think of it as nicknaming yourself.

It's funny, I've always gotten 'Luke' jokes even though my name is Matthew Mark. Well, because my name is Matthew Mark, actually. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John...

Through separate circumstances I made my pen name Luke (and I have another nickname...Little John), so now I get a LOT of Luke jokes. "I am your father!" Meh. But it's okay. Luke is too awesome a name to wreck with lame jokes.

Thanks, guys! It makes sense that it's been used before, I just didn't realise it. Thanks for the link!



Thank you, Luke! I'll let them know.

I think it's important to choose a pen name that is as much you as your real name. Since I already go by Rin and Kit at many places, and they mean the same thing, I'm very comfortable with my pen name. I don't feel like autographing would be lying because they're all me. I'm not pretending to be the author of my book. I am the author. I've practiced autographing too. @Azlyn, if you sign it A. Rose that would be a really neat autograph. I for one can't put all the letters of my pen name in an autograph.

Also, some authors have little insignias related to their name. You could design one involving a rose.

Very well said, Luke. Those reasons are why I chose a pen name myself, and why I am a proponent of pen names in general. I do not feel it is dishonest at all, for the reasons you stated. It is our right as human beings to use any name we choose.

*grins * See, I knew Matt would be the one to advise.

chuckles at Azlyn*

Well I'm the last person to talk about not choosing a pen name because it isn't really "who you are" anymore. This is coming from someone whose best friend now calls her "Maid". "BushMaid" has become so ingrained in who I am, that it is my second name. You're very right Matt, in what you said about giving yourself a nickname.


However, I very firmly believe that you shouldn't take on a pen name simply because no one can pronounce your surname. It's because no one can pronounce it that you can be remembered. it's unique. I often recall a quote from Ioan Gruffudd on this topic whenever it arises, and I think it says it best:

I can see where you're coming from there, Bushy.

I think they're going to go with J. Hodgson now, as both their first names start with J. We'll see.

*loves Ioan *

*same*

Thanks for the opinions, everyone.

Now my practical side is going for what Mac said and my sentimental side for what Bushes said... *headdesk* I know my name does sound old fashioned, which might be good for historical fiction, but since I intend to write fantasy and sci-fi too... *Sigh* I'm not really that much closer to deciding, I guess.

There are people who use a different pen name for every genre they write in.

Haha, that's what I was going to do.
I love the two names Leena and Ryder, however I use Ryder in my story. So I was thinking of Leena Stanfords. (I can't possibly use my first or last names, crazy to spell) I googled it and didn't really come up with anything.

@Azlyn: I have a common last name as well.



That's a good point, and I agree.

Yes, I have heard of that. Though I don't think I want to do so, thus I want something genre-universal.

Being genre-universal was one of the main reasons I chose to use a penname. I needed something that would work with any genre, as well as fit with both screenwriting and novel-writing. So I wanted something that sounded fresh and modern for screenwriting, but still be serious enough for fantasy novels. Hence, Aubrey Hansen.

I love your pen name, Aubrey.

Thank you very much, Elanor. Poke me sometime... I have a story to tell you about the way you spell your username.

Mine? Really? I'm intrigued now.

I'll tell you when I reply to your PM... which I am doing now.

*Chuckles* I just got your PM, Aubrey. Hopefully I'll find time to reply later tonight.

I prefer pennames, (1) because I can have a epic nickname, and (2) because then I'm not known for any terribly written books I wrote. Plus I don't want people knocking on my door at midnight if I ever became famous. XD

I've decided. I'm going to drop my pen name.

I know, I know. Azlyn Rose is far more practical, and I can't even begin to know where to start in switching things over to that name.

This morning I was thinking about it, and practically dying over which name to use (To be over-dramatic ).

As I was mulling over it (with much headdesking and beating my head on a wall. It was rather violent mulling), I realized that I was dying to be myself, no other names attached. I know it's not as practical. But it's me. And I realized that was who I wanted to be.

Thank-you for your imput, everyone, Mac and Bushes especially. It was not an easy choice, but one I am happy and much relieved over. *Begins to compile a list of everything she needs to change and people who must be emailed over this and it's quite long*

(To warn you way in advance, this probably means I will one day change my HW username to my real name. *Le gasp!*)

EDIT: Do you guys think it will make any difference to do P.Rose Williams or Rose P. Williams or anything?

I'd go with P. Rose Williams, it's more distinctive.

I'm so glad you reached the right decision, Mae. If you're wanting to stick closely with your real name, I would go with P. Rose Williams, since that keeps your names in their normal order, IIRC.

To save you a PM, should I use P. Rose Williams in the acknowledgments of Peter's Angel?

And don't worry - they all will survive a name change. I've tested it. Although they'll still call you your old nicknames.

We barely survived, but we did survive.

Yes, I feel much more relaxed, having reached a choice. I'm still a bit undecided as where to put the 'P', simply because if you don't put a space between the 'p' and 'Rose' it spells Prose Williams. Which sounds a bit silly. With Rose P. Williams, if the space is forgotten you can still tell they are not part of the same word. So I am a tiny bit undecided there. Thoughts?

Yes, go ahead and put it as that in Peter's Angel. You were on my list of people to talk to about that. (As I said above, the 'P' might be moved, but that's not a huge deal.)

*Laughs* Yes, we survived your name change, though it was not easy! I like being called Azlyn still. I'm giving you guys plenty of warning, so you at least know it is coming.

Well, I guess I'll survive if you change your username, but I'll miss seeing the name AzlynMae everywhere.. *Sniff*

Rose P. Williams seems more standard somehow, but like Luke said, it's not very distinctive. It's nice, just very... normal.

*goes to edit in PA before she forgets*

P Rose Williams...Prose Williams...

That's awesome. Even more awesome since it's your real name. People who notice that are going to think it's a clever pen name.

*jumps in to request aid*
It's definately a good thing we have this thread. I'm not sure about whether I'm going to use a penname either. I like my real name a lot. (I won't tell my last name, but my first two are Sarah Dorothy.) However, my last name is often mispronounced, sometimes even horrendously mispronounced, and nobody can spell it because it has too many different spellings. I love my name and I don't want people to mangle it.
I'm leaning towards a penname, for privacy mainly, and also because my name is hard to remember. Sarah is really common. Dorothy isn't a fantasy writer (though I'm proud of the name -it was my Great-aunt's name). The last reason is that I do want to be, in a way, disconnected. I'll be proud to show it to my family and friends, but I feel that without the name they know me by attatched, they won't judge me by my writing.
Why would I want to be disconnected? Mainly because I write fantasy. There are battles, and other odditiess, and I don't want people to say, "She wrote about battles, she's really violent." I wrote a little drabble from the POV of a man who thinks he's a monster for a friend once, and she gave me the oddest look after, like I was suddenly a mystery.
My parents think I should keep my name. That's one thing holding me back from just choosing. I haven't really explained my reasons, yet, though.
So. I like Aldara -that's why I chose it as my internet name in the first place. The questions for you are: Do you think Aldara is too different as a name? What names could I pair with it? Or, should I stick to some variant of my real name?

Thanks for reading my entire long-winded post, by the way. I was rambling a bit.

Dorothy Aldara has a nice ring to it.

I agree, I like the sound of that.

Me too.

Aldara is very unique without being too difficult, so it is distinctive. I will point out that it sounds very fantasy. So if you're mostly going to write fantasy, that works great; but if you want to write other genres under the same penname, you might consider something more generic.

Dorothy is less common nowadays, while still being well-known enough to be easy to spell, so that could help make you memorable.