So, I have been pondering something since I read a post that Cait at Notebook Sisters did last week about seeing our own names used as characters in books. Basically, while reading through the comments on her post, I came across quite a number of responses in which the blogger had a specific pseudonym that she (or he, though I don’t think it was applicable here) used for blogging. I don’t mean a site name, I mean like a different first name to go with it. And then I started thinking about authors, and pen names, and a whole slew of name related stuff, because frankly, names fascinate me.
Digressions aside, I wondered: Is this commonplace? I recall reading somewhere, back when I first started my blog (and my apologies to whoever wrote it, it was so long ago I can’t recall), about creating an “online identity”. But I must confess something here: I am incredibly and ridiculously naive. So it never even occurred to me. If you are wondering, yes, my name is actually Shannon. And my last name (which I only changed on here like, a week ago, and you’ve probably all seen) is also my last name, because really, you can’t make up stuff like that unless you’re just throwing letters at a wall. And the picture is really me, albeit in December because I haven’t taken a picture in which I didn’t look like a hobo since then.
Then I considered another reason for my indifference to using my real name: Narcissism. Here’s the thing: Authors (and various other artists, entertainers, basically anyone in the public eye) have been using pen names/pseudonyms since, you know, forever. But I never, ever understood it. If I did something really great, I would want everyone I know to see it! And in truth, I think it would be a way to keep myself accountable for my work. As an anonymous presence, I could easily jump ship; as me, I would force myself to push harder. But mostly narcissism.
I don’t mean any of this this in a snarky way at all, I am genuinely intrigued, and who better to turn to than the source?
So, in the spirit of curiosity, I have some questions, along with my own answers (where applicable):
Q: Do you use your real name when blogging/writing/reviewing/whatever?
A. I do. Like I said before, I am both too naive and narcissistic not to. My name has been my name forever, I have grown quite attached!
Q: Do your “real world” family and friends know about your online/book/blog presence?
A: Mine do. My mom ships out my giveaways 🙂
Q: If you were to become famous, or published (or are, maybe some of you are super famous, I don’t know), would your opinion change?
A: Nope.
Q: What do you think the major threats are of having your real name and likeness in an online community?
A: I haven’t a clue, this is where you all come in! I assume that some of it is a privacy situation (particularly for bloggers/reviewers), some may have to do with personal and family situations, but overall, I am just plain curious!
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I’m kind of curious by how many people claim they “can’t” use their real names on the internet because “stalkers will get them”. What? I just…I just don’t get that. I never thought to NOT be me on the internet. And while maybe I’m a little bit different in personality (I feel less shy on the internet) I definitely always wanted to be my name. I don’t throw my last name around a lot, but that’s simply because I couldn’t be bothered. If you wanted to find it, it wouldn’t be hard. 😉 So, yup, my name. My identity. But another reason for this is, I plan to be a published author someday and I want my internet presence now to be my platform. It makes sense.
Awesome discussion, Shannon! I’m glad I sparked it. 😉 (And thaaaanks for linking to that post!)
Yes! I figure that people can find me every day, in the world- just think about how many people you give your information to on a daily basis (and WAY more than just names!). Any of them could be creepers, right? I guess I just assume that if someone wants to stalk me or hunt me down, it won’t take a fake name to stop them, because they’re obviously insane. And committed.
Oh, and when you do publish stuff, I am going to be first in line to read it. Just an FYI 😉
It never occurred to me either to “hide” my name. Sure, I don’t actually use my full first name (just a nickname), but it isn’t that hard to figure out. I’m pretty sure my last name is around somewhere since I took it down only a few weeks ago. I don’t plan on being an author or anyone #famous, I just like reviewing books as a hobby.
…I hope I don’t attract stalkers LOL C:
Nice post! It really got me thinking of the dangers of the website and what/who you attract without even knowing O.o
Apparently I only thought I took my last name down….darn you Google+ and your inability to update =/
Thanks! I am so easy to find it isn’t even funny. But I just don’t care. If you’re really that jazzed up over a review that you need to like, send flaming feces to my home, then so be it. My last name probably wasn’t standing in your way 😉 Really, the main reason I changed it on here is because my Twitter and Instagram names match this, so it just seems more cohesive.
Umm so I think I’m a bit different. I just go by Nobody (i’m not really sure how hard or easy it is to find my real name) but when I started blogging I didn’t do this to hide my real name it’s actually kind of a long story. Basically when I was like 13 and decided I seriously did want to be a published author someday I somehow(through the infleunce of a few books) got it in my head that it would be cool to write a book by “Nobody” and so I started using that name a lot and it was kinda just natural to use it when I started my blog. Recently as I’ve written and grown I’ve started getting over the Nobody thing( I think it was more because I was super shy that I did it in the first place) and now I’m leaning towards if (when(lets be optimistic)) I get published using my real name. Basically I think there are different reasons, when writing to not use your real name. But I agree if I did do something awesome like I would kinda want the proof right there on the cover that I wrote it.
Also my mom ships my giveaways too! Haha.
Okay long comment over.
I am really glad you commented because I have always been curious 🙂 I totally know what you mean about names progressing like that- you start out just using it in one aspect, and then suddenly it ends up being your whole persona, because it grows and grows with every account. I have finally created a blog email address- I had been using the same name I’d had since we first got dial-up AOL! (That is bad lol).
I really hope you do use your name when (yes WHEN) you publish, because it is such an amazing accomplishment!
Exactly! It was kind of a joke at first and then like it’s like a whole part of me. I’ve always wondered if people were curious about my name but no ones asked so it’s like they just think it’s normal…which I think is kinda awesome.
I agree that’s kinda why I’ve been changing my mind about it cause like the coolest thing in the world would be to see a book with your name right on the cover. =)
It is, you’re an enigma! And YES- how amazing would it be to have your name on a book cover? Oh my goodness. A pretty, colorful, sparkly one (which I will insist upon if ever I publish one- it will look like some kind of child’s art project 😉 ). I assume people would be like “Oh, there’s that book by Shannon What’s-her-name” anyway, because Mizikoski doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. But, you’d also never get me mixed up with anyone else, so that’s fun!
Yeah I totally don’t get people’s issue with this. Who cares? I mean…unless I’m giving out my address, phone number, or social security number online, are people really going to give a crap that I use my real name online. Even my *gasp* last name? There are so many people online who use their real first and last names, and so many people who don’t. It’s just so unrealistic to think that somebody MIGHT get ahold of this information and somehow use it nefariously. Yes, it has happened to SOMEBODY I’m sure, but never to anybody close to me or even in the same blogging community as far as I know, so I’m pretty sure that I’m safe using my real name.
Plus, like you said, just in case I were to ever be recognized for my blog in any way, I want me REAL person to be accountable for that notoriety…not some stupid pen name.
Great post!
Hahah exactly!! Along this line, I don’t understand why people won’t allow pictures online (often of kids). I mean, you do realize that people see you every day, right?
And like you said, what are the chances anyway? Sure, it HAS happened, but I bet statistically, your chances of being stalked offline are way higher than online. Especially when we’re just talking about books around here 😉
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