Thursday, December 10, 2009

Thursday Thought: Names

Recently on Nathan Bransford's blog he addressed the subject of pen names. He gave a pretty good list of pros and cons around using pen names.

It reminded me of when I was younger and despised my name. I mean, Windy. Seriously? Bring on the weather/breezy/rainy/hurricane jokes. What were my parents thinking?

And forget discussing my maiden name. It's 12-letters long and pretty much a horrific tongue twister.

I always wanted to change my name. I hated it. All of it. Why couldn't I have a full name that was something common and that people could actually say?

Now that I'm no longer 10 years old trying to blend in with everyone else, I've realized how lucky I am. My names were/are different. Maybe not completely easy to say, but not that easily forgotten.


Sort of makes it helpful in the world of networking and moving toward publication. Besides, who doesn't want to be a pirate?

What do you think about the name you've got ready to go on the cover of your first NYT Best Seller?

9 comments:

Angie said...

I like your name. Since my maiden name was Taylor, I was glad to marry into the more unusual Lofthouse.

Stephanie said...

From the very beginning I always said no pen name for me...I wanted MY name on the cover of a book...not some made up name. I wanted people to see my books and know it was me who wrote them....and if a cashier saw my credit card and said "OMG, are you THE Stephanie Haefner?" I could say..."Why, yes I am!" LOL!! Me and my silly day dreams!!

But I do debate about it now...wondering if my last name is too hard to say and my first name...well it's spelled a little different but it's the same as a very popular author right now and I don't know...I have never been one who liked having something that is the same as someone else.

Stephanie McGee said...

I'm with Stephanie. (LOL) That's why I added the arbitrary L. middle initial to my name. While my name may be eerily similar to a popular author, the L differentiates it a little bit and all is good.

Thanks for the laugh. Made me think of that writer's conference we went to. LOL

Unknown said...

I love your name, Windy! But then, I have lots of great memories of sitting on the couch in the living room with my mom and just listening to the wind howl. I still love the wind.

As for my own name... Well, Janyece isn't easy to pronounce, but it's certainly unique. I think Swineford might have to go. Not sure my maiden name is any better though. Hmm... I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Angie said...

Yeah, Nisa. You're maiden name is off limits! Bwahahahahha! (J/K. It was yours before it was mine.)

Unknown said...

lol!

Anonymous said...

I'm happy with the name I'm publishing under. It's me and more. =]

I like your name too and I'm glad you do too!

Suzette Saxton said...

I love unusual names. I love your name!

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you - as a fellow Wendy (albeit with an e) I've heard all the jokes! Happily, I married a man with an elegant last name, and since I'm very attached to my maiden name, I switched it to first as my pen-name. Works very well for me!