I’m a dual personality, well more than a dual but this will cover my writing world. I “fell” into non-fiction writing about fifteen years ago. I volunteered to try my hand at review writing, column poll-taking, copy editing, and article writing. These were all new adventures for me and they “fit” me as Christine Irene Speakman…my married name.
Motherhood came and I took a break from my new writing world. Didn’t take too long before I found my way back. However, my life-long fiction writing was calling me and with a few pushes from mentors, I answered.
Since I was a baby…mesmerized GREEN EGGS AND HAM at age three…books and their worlds were my passion. My greatest habit. Mom and Dad never said no to a book.
But, books don’t write themselves, authors do. And, authors have names. But, what was my name? I had one identity for my fictional worlds, but she was…I thought…behind me, someone I no longer was, no longer recognized as, not gone but no longer the major “me”.
There’s a saying — no matter where you go, there you are. No matter where or when I write a fictional world, I’m there. Me. The three year-old reciting GREEN EGGS AND HAM. The young girl/teen reading three and four NANCY DREWs each weekend. The imagination acting out in each favourite television show.
There is no other name for these works than the person I was born as: Christine Irene Steeves
My mother-in-law recently asked/remarked about this and when I told her, she understood. More importantly, my husband understands. My daughter understands.
When a certain “hot” story is finally written, another name will appear…the personality few will recognize as me 😉
😉
I'm fortunate enough to be published at a young age, so the "married name vs maiden name" issue never factored into my choice. I knew that I needed to have a different name for adult works than for young adult works — hence my full name, Lindsay Below, for young adult and my initials, L.K. Below, for adult. Fun factoid: I originally wanted to be "L. Below" (hence why all my logins are that name). But when my first short story was due out, my editor told me it sounded too much like "elbow" to him. I keep forgetting that other people pronounce it as "bellow" — my last name is pronounced "BAY-low" so that's the way it reads to me.
I don't know what I'll do when I take a married name. My boyfriend has already mentioned that he wants me to change my written name to Lindsay Pittman when the time comes (and, I imagine, L.K. Pittman). I don't know how I'll handle it. I imagine I'll tackle that problem when the time comes.
Glad to hear that the choice wasn't difficult for you! Can't wait to see what name this "hot" story will come out under 😉
Hey, Lindsay. Thanks for commenting and honestly, I vote for not changing your written name…Lindsay Below and L.K. Below are who your readers will know and look for…your identity.
And extremely true for different identities for different genres. Vastly important for writers. Every writer can write any and all genres, if they want, but different names are a must.
I understand, too, Chris. At my age, I can't remember much about Ginger Pomerantz, but I do remember Ginger Jones…I was that person for thirty two years of my life…longer than I had my maiden name. So, on Facebook, for the sake of old friends finding me, I'm Ginger Jones Simpson. Age changes somethings…actually most everything. Just ask my sagging chins and chest. *lol*
I understand Chris. I've thought about changing my name for my writing, but decided against it. Ehrentreu is how people remember me so I kept it. But like you, I have a sort of hot romance bubbling around and I'm working on it. So then I'll change my name for that! YA authors and hot romances may not mesh.:) Great post and I can understand your thinking about this and changing your name.
An interesting dilemma, Chris. My author name is my maiden name, as my stories, both adult and YA, are set in Ireland, at least so far. My married 'Arabic' name simply doesn't fit. But a rose by any other name and all. Neat post!
Hi Christine,
We share the same middle name! Irene! I, too, have debated about changing my name for writing, but then I decided I was proud of my work and I wanted people to know I wrote these books. If I change genres, I have a couple of other options–Rochelle Johnson (my maiden name), or Rochelle Irene.
Then too, I was adopted so I can write under my pre-adoption name, Linda Frances Snodgrass or Linda Frances. But that would only be if I wrote really graphic erotica and didn't want anyone to know I was associated with it at all.
Hugs,
Rochelle
http://www.rochelleweber.com
I write under my pen name, J Q Rose…J for Janet, Q for my maiden name, and Rose because I always wanted to name my baby girls Rose, but noone seemed to like that name but me! So I love Rose AND we were in the floral business for 20 years. I plan to use my name for writing children's stories since Sunshine Boulevard is mystery/horror genres. I think getting the "back story" on author's names is so interesting. Thanks.
Chris, I've had the same name since birth and even though I've been called other names I can't repeat in polite company, I think I'll keep the one I have. You, however, can call me sweetiepie if you want to because you've been one of my favorite people for a long time. Best wishes to you, my friend.