| Author |
Message |
    
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
436
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 10:31 am: |   |
An interesting tidbit about Pseudonyms...
Jeremiah Healy is a successful mystery writer with a great series going...
But he's also a lawyer with a more than average interest in goings on in the legal world. So he planned to begin another series of legal thrillers. Not wanting the fans of his Private Investigator John Francis Cuddy series to be disappointed that the genre had been changed, he decided to launch the new series under the pseudonym of Terry DeVane.
Here's how he chose the name...
In an effort not to be tagged any certain gender, he decided that "Terry" was neutral. (or should that be neuter?)
After surveying the shelves of many bookstores, he discovered that the authors who's last name began with the letters "DE" were the ones most commonly displayed at eye level, hence "DeVane." |
Jennifer Lynn
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
938
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 10:53 am: | |
Oh crapper! Then I guess 'Lynn' is way outta luck! |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
764
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2003 - 02:35 pm: | |
Very INTERESTING!!!!!!!!!
Claudia |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1138
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 05:44 am: | |
When I began writing under a pseudonym, it was because those topics with which I dealt were too strong for "me" to face. Much of my work finds its basis in reality.
The characters all have pseudonyms. Some may have the same first letter. Some may even have the same first name. Locations are all changed. And since I write fiction, some of the details are either omitted for the sake of the reader's sensibilities or inflated for the tale. The characters tell me what will happen, when and where. By changing the characters' names, I allow myself to change how they appear, thus making the situation(s) unrecognizable to the potential reader who may/may not know the person upon whom the tale is based.
Part of this is simply because if I were to write a tale based solely on fact, I would never complete it. I could do it, physically, but mentally and emotionally, chances are greater that it would do me in.
Instead, I create a fictional set of characters to act out the scenarios, changing things as I see fit. For example, the bad guy ALWAYS either dies or ends up in prison. The good guy ALWAYS wins AND triumphs over the emotional adversities put before him/her. Life is not always this way. Fiction is much more fun. 
That's all I have for this particular topic.
Later,
LA
LaurieAnne
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Stephanie S. Sawyer
Awareness Member
Post Number:
49
Registered: 08-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 03:51 pm: | |
I went to town with a Short Story using pseudonyms regarding an event on a particular Christmas Eve that I have just posted on my AD site. Now, my only problem according to one DEAR and trusted friend (Smile, Lolly) is disguising my passion. I'm no good at being fake in anything!
Now, you should have seen my son when HE read it!
But there was great healing in the journey. I invite you to take a look.
If you have any further comments on hiding behind pseudonyms for such powerful stories, I invite them all. See "Product of Hope" www.authorsden.com/stephaniessawyer
Stephanie
www.authorsden.com/stephaniessawyer
www.facingme.com
|
Freyja Valdimarsdottir
Awareness Member
Post Number:
3
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 08:51 am: | |
Err, here's a silly question, but why dont people use their real names? :S |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
557
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 09:05 am: | |
Most often, authors who have established a reputation in a specific genre and then want too write something in a different vein will use a pseudonym so that their fans are not disappointed by the sudden change.
Just imagine the rage if Tom Clancy decided to do a book on butterfly collecting and some of his followers paid over twenty bucks expecting an action novel. |
Harry Simenon
Awareness Member
Post Number:
44
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 11:31 am: | |
I thought about using a pseudonym to avoid confusion with another writer. But the other guy is well-known and I am not! So I kept my own name! |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1128
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 03:44 pm: | |
Or if the book is such that a real name would lead to a lot of potentially bad situations for the author... |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1203
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 07:56 pm: | |
Exactly what Todd said.
There are a lot of psychos out there who go to extremes. Anyone who writes about witchcraft runs the risk of being hunted by fanatics and burned at the stake.
Those who write about women (or men) fighting back against abusers run the risk of being hunted by those who are abusers, especially if they decide that the text is "about them" (makes me think of Carly Simon's song--LOL).
The analogies go on.
Kinda brings to mind Stephen King's "Misery," doesn't it?
Enough sunshine and roses for the day.
LA
www.authorsinkbooks.com
LaurieAnne
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Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
563
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 05:29 pm: | |
Sheese... Salman Rushdie shoulda thought about that. |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1467
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 09:21 pm: | |
I thought seriously about using another name for "Malevolence." A lot of the people who like "Graven Images" appreciated the fact that there wasn't any profanity or sexual content. "Malevolence" has some mild profanity - just because I felt these characters would use it. And, there is the horror side of it.
But, I am getting some attention in Kansas through my job with the newspaper. I don't think I can afford to change my name now.
A little conflicted by the whole situation.
Nancy |
Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
542
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:04 pm: | |
I'm changing my name to Shrewsbury. That should sell a few books.
http://www.fdungan.com/bushwhacked.htm |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1468
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 10:22 pm: | |
LOL!
Wish I'd thought of that!
Nancy |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2610
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 05:17 am: | |
Hmmmm. Laurel Shrewsbury? Steven Johnson??? That's a good idea you had there, Fred. But we can't afford to flood the market with a bunch of Shrewsburys can we? Or maybe we would get some cross genre sales if we did.
I thought about using a pseudonym for The Alley of Wishes. It is so different from my Christian genre first book - adult language and situations - that I was worried about what few fans I have being offensed. Ultimately I decided to just be brave and let the chips fall where they may. Maleveloence is a very good book Nancy. I would leave your name on it without shame. |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1469
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 04:48 pm: | |
Thanks, Laurel. Think I will hang in there with the falling chips....
I'm a little nervous, though.
Nancy |
Tulla
Awareness Member
Post Number:
25
Registered: 12-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 05:06 pm: | |
Nancy~
I would not worry. YOU'RE FABULOUS Girl!!!! Now breathe....lol  |
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1470
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 05:15 pm: | |
Thanks, Tulla.
Breathing now....(S)
Nancy |
Bill Nelson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
12
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 01, 2004 - 03:52 pm: | |
I joined Alcoholics Anonymous and had to start drinking under an
assumed name. Does that count?
BN |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
548
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 07:12 pm: | |
Sheesh, I should send you the emails I get from the freaks, you would not want my name
Someone once said that I should use another name when crossing borders (horror, sci fi, mystery barbarian etc). Screw that. Robert E. Howard or Edgar Rice bourroughs never did it.
Frankly, I think personal vanity prevents such a thing, I guess. Even if it sucks, I can't stand the thought of someone NOT knowing I wrote it. I thought of writing under another name and subbing to a site that loathed me (I was ok at a time there har har) but recently I have been accused of having a 'style' or method. I dunno if that is good or not.
I never try to.
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Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
576
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 12:24 am: | |
The only good reasons for not putting your name on your book would be to keep from going to jail, a la Thomas Paine, or to avoid unpleasantries, a la Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). If you ever find yourself needing a nom d'plume, it would be best to pick a name that would both attact attention and be easy to remember.
Vigilantes - read it as I write it http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
550
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 05:37 am: | |
Then again, I wouldn't have been blackmailed by the religious nuts in town if my name was Fred Dungan on NOCTURNAL VACATIONS...
"Those two people...you implied they SLEPT together and they were not married!!!! Do we want your wife to teach our children knowing such thoughts go through your head! You put that in there to sensationalize it!"
Quote from one of them. Never recall him over my shoulder as I wrote it...
For the record, the scene he spoke of in NV in the tale PATTERNS OF OBLIVION? Dack Shannon had sex with his acolyte, Brittany Brennan, before he went out to question someone.
He never slept with her. I never described anything. She wrapped a nylon around his throat and kissed it and said "You will be late, Mr Shannon." Scene faded. That was it.
The minsiter asked me if I tie up my wife. No kidding.
He doesn't know her very well, obviously...but it tells where HIS mind is.
|
Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
579
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 08:49 pm: | |
You should come to California. In order to shock us it's got to be at least 9.0 on the Richter Scale.
Vigilantes - read it as I write it http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
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