Writing with a Pseudonym
The life of a writer with a pseudonym…
Many of us who write erotica, erotic romance, or bdsm-related stories cannot reveal our real names. Some of us don’t even reveal anything even remotely real about ourselves at all. Let me tell you. It’s difficult and lonely.
I can’t connect with “real life” friends on Facebook or Tweet them my favorite event of the day, or share a review I got on my book. Because I teach, and just the nature of my life in general, people in my ‘circles’ would never believe I write what I write. Everyone I know knows that I write, but they will never know my books or my stories. It’s just not worth it to be judged like that. Never mind that I need my job and happen to love it.
But…I must write what I write or wither and perish altogether. It’s my only outlet to explore those things I can’t begin to understand or explore in real life. Again, I’ve blogged about my obsession with writing.
Before I published the Natalie’s Edge series, I didn’t have a Facebook page, couldn’t even fathom the concept of Twitter, and creating a website or blog? I used to pride myself a Luddite actually. The social media stuff just seemed to be asking for trouble in my line of profession.
Case and point: When I first starting teaching, I taught high school seniors, and I was just barely older than them. I certainly didn’t want to open any doors that were unnecessary. Some of the stereotypes are true. Boys are horny ALL THE TIME. (And no. I do not find that fantasy exciting in the least bit. Sorry.) My very first year teaching, my name was written in the boys’ bathroom. “Teacher most wanted to fuck.” It didn’t turn me on. It made me really upset actually, even though I knew I was a good teacher. So social media? I didn’t want that kind of trouble.
So why do I tell you all of this? Because some of you are becoming a very real part of my life, in this crazy virtual world. I’ve connected with many of you, could see myself having a beer or a glass of wine with a few of you (you know who you are!), and a part of me wishes everything didn’t have to be so secret. It’s much harder than I thought it would be. I wish society was more open, more open to sex, to erotica, to writing taboo subjects. But presently, that is impossible. So I share my triumphs and failures with you. Thank you for letting me.
Many of us who write erotica, erotic romance, or bdsm-related stories cannot reveal our real names. Some of us don’t even reveal anything even remotely real about ourselves at all. Let me tell you. It’s difficult and lonely.
I can’t connect with “real life” friends on Facebook or Tweet them my favorite event of the day, or share a review I got on my book. Because I teach, and just the nature of my life in general, people in my ‘circles’ would never believe I write what I write. Everyone I know knows that I write, but they will never know my books or my stories. It’s just not worth it to be judged like that. Never mind that I need my job and happen to love it.
But…I must write what I write or wither and perish altogether. It’s my only outlet to explore those things I can’t begin to understand or explore in real life. Again, I’ve blogged about my obsession with writing.
Before I published the Natalie’s Edge series, I didn’t have a Facebook page, couldn’t even fathom the concept of Twitter, and creating a website or blog? I used to pride myself a Luddite actually. The social media stuff just seemed to be asking for trouble in my line of profession.
Case and point: When I first starting teaching, I taught high school seniors, and I was just barely older than them. I certainly didn’t want to open any doors that were unnecessary. Some of the stereotypes are true. Boys are horny ALL THE TIME. (And no. I do not find that fantasy exciting in the least bit. Sorry.) My very first year teaching, my name was written in the boys’ bathroom. “Teacher most wanted to fuck.” It didn’t turn me on. It made me really upset actually, even though I knew I was a good teacher. So social media? I didn’t want that kind of trouble.
So why do I tell you all of this? Because some of you are becoming a very real part of my life, in this crazy virtual world. I’ve connected with many of you, could see myself having a beer or a glass of wine with a few of you (you know who you are!), and a part of me wishes everything didn’t have to be so secret. It’s much harder than I thought it would be. I wish society was more open, more open to sex, to erotica, to writing taboo subjects. But presently, that is impossible. So I share my triumphs and failures with you. Thank you for letting me.
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