Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/47791
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

It's not so much that I dislike my real name, but I have a few issues that make me uncomfortable with using it.

This is mainly due to the fact that it's quite unique, and while that is an advantage, it also means that it doesn't take long for people to find all of my comments, interests, group activity, forum participation, etc, etc.

It means that whenever I'm on a social network or public web page, as much as I want to comment on things and get involved, I see my name next to the comment box and refrain from posting anything - even if the comment is completely harmless or innocent.

So I decided that the best way to go about things is to write under a pen name or alias, and create social profiles / email addresses to suit that alias. But I have a few problems:

Primarlily, should my alias be completely unique from my real name, or should I have my first name + an alias surname?

The way I see it, having an alias online is great because nobody is going to meet you, but because of the nature of my writing, I aim to get myself out there and write about things I see and do, and people I meet.

Now if nobody knows me, a completely unique alias is fine, but if I'm going to be intorducing myself in places where people may actually know my real name, I'd prefer them to be able to shout over, "hey (name), what brings you here", without people who know me as my alias being confused.

Secondly, because I'm using my alias for all aspects of my life, as I would my own name, it's likely that sooner or later I'm going to become known as my alias, and therefore people searching for that alias online will find all of my comments, interests, group activity, forum participation, etc, etc - As in the beginning.

I guess aliasses are great if you have 2 or more main areas of expertise, like a childrens author who also writes erotic novels, or a garden/cooking blogger who also owns a mens magazine.

Any advice on how I should go about things?

Original score: 5