Pen Name Vs Real Name

EmperorWolf

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Which one do you think I should use? A pen name or my real name?
 

Myrealana

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You should use one - or the other.

Will your writing reflect poorly on your real life?
Is your real name hard to pronounce or spell? Overly long? Common? The same as or similar to a popular author?
Are you a male writing for a primarily female market or vice-versa?
Is your real name already well known in a particular genre or non-fiction and you're jumping to something very different?
Do you want/care if people recognize you by name?
 

Cathy C

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My ego advised me to use my real name at first... ;) I tried to convince it that it didn't matter, but it won, and I'm pleased with the result. I now also use a pen name for other things, and am pleased with that result too.

In other words, either is fine. Do whatever makes you happiest.
 

jvc

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There have been quite a few 'Pen Names' threads in the BWQ forum over the years. It might be worth searching a few of those out and seeing what they have revealed.

I've used a pen name before when writing for a women's mag, so it wasn't obvious that I was a bloke.