RTW: Pen Names

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
If you couldn't use your own name, what would your pseudonym or penname be?

This is a really tough one for me. I've thought about the possibility of having a pen name, but one of the things I most look forward to if I'm ever published is holding a book with my name on the cover in my hands.

I've thought about shortening my last name to Kirk (except then it would be a constant reminder of Captain Kirk). I've thought about taking my mother's maiden name. I don't know what I would choose if I had to change my whole name. Maybe something like Blaire Stevens since my current WIP has two male main characters. Or Rachael Grace so I can at least keep my first name.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hey Rachael: Blaire Stevens sounds cool :-) But I understand the desire to hold a book with YOUR name on it! My last name is super long though (thanks to my hubby) hmmm so many decisions we´ll have to make when it comes to our publication time!
January 11, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Jaime Morrow said…
I am SO with you on this. I can't imagine putting in all the work to finish a book and get it published and then have a stranger's name on it. It would feel wrong to me. I get why people do it (they have excellent reasons), but for me I think I'd need to see my name on my book. =)
January 11, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Colin Smith said…
I'm with you on wanting to hold a book with my name on it. Right now, I don't see any reason to go with a pseudonym.

And I like the way your name is spelled. I've always preferred Rachael over Rachel. No offense to any Rachels reading--or to your parents who named you. :)

I wouldn't be surprised if a cool character named Rachael turned up in one of my stories. :)
January 11, 2012 at 3:14 PM
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