Most of you know that Talli Roland isn't my real name. I write travel guides under my real name, Marsha Moore. But even though Talli's not what I grew up with, it's rapidly becoming more familiar than my birth-name. The other day, I even found myself signing a cheque with 'Talli'. Yikes!Many writers have pen-names -- some even more than one. In this age of author branding, I'd love to hear how they manage to devote time to leveraging all their personalities. Because whenever I try to spend time on Marsha, Talli rears her pretty little head (or so she says...) and demands to be heard on Twitter, too. What one wants, the other wants more of. So I find that Talli -- the more insistent of my dual personas -- usually wins out.
This became quite clear to me when I attended a writing conference last July. Although I had both 'Marsha' and 'Talli' on my name-tag, many of my Twitter friends stuck with Talli. Marsha sulked in the corner, scoffing the food and snaffling down wine, as Talli chatted away.
I'd love to hear how other authors juggle their different pen-names. And if you had to have a pen-name, what would it be?
Thank you to Tamara Hart Heiner; Renae Mercado; Talk Muse Banter; Roxy Haynie; Elena Solodow; Cerebral Lunchbox; Crystal Cook; Rashelle Workman; Melissa Wideen; Christine Fonseca; and Dayana Stockdale for signing up to my Blogsplash!
I bet it does get a little weird at times, as your pen name grows and grows! For me - one name, at least for now. Though I have a feeling that may change down the road.
ReplyDeleteJust one name for now but later....
ReplyDeleteTalli must be dominant because your pic is more a Talli than a Marsha.
(And you wonder why hubby gets confused!lol)
Before I sign each email, I have to think careful about what name to put down. The other day I referred to myself as "Cee" for Clarissa. I have a nickname for my pen name - how sad is that!? I also have the pen name Ann Elle, and use that with some of my books. I've gotten more used to Clarissa lately and I would probably answer to it. And Ann Elle. And my real name...I hope.
ReplyDeleteCD
This is my pen name. :D Although, my first name is really Hannah so I can get away with it. I was getting a little confused when I was just using Palindrome and when people referred to me as Hannah it took me a second to realize they were talking to me.
ReplyDeleteNow when I think of you, I will think "Marsha Marsha Marsha!" :P
I don't technically have a pen name, but for everything writing related I go by DL, which are my initials. Every where else I'm either Don, Donald, or Donnie. It helps keep my two worlds seperate. :)
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ReplyDeleteOh please - stop the Marsha Marsha Marsha thing! I beg you! That's one of the benefits of having a pen name. :)
ReplyDeleteI just tell people to call me whatever they want! Should lead to some interesting names...
I've thought about pen names but I have never managed to settle on one, so I just use my real name.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I deleted the post because of a typo and now your comment is before mine!
ReplyDeleteSince I don't have a pen name, I don't have this problem. When I meet you in person, I'm going to have to remember to call you Marsha.
It's like you have the Jan Brady complex in reverse. Instead of Marsha, Marsha, Marsha, it's Talli, Talli, Talli!
oh dang - thing just ate my comment.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a pen name from when I wanted to write Harlequin's many years ago - it was Fern Nestlewood and all the lads in Chester, where I lived, wanted me to BE Fern for some weird kinky reason.
I don't have a pen name - I'll have a hard enough time getting one of me famous and wealthy!
But I have LOTs of alter egos - my clown name is La Banan, and I get to be lots of different people on murder mystery weekends with my company - my favourite being Ninette Beazley, Nose of the North (a journalist) and Ruby Pinkney, sister of Pearl, a samurai sword maker and eccentric!
Jan Morrison
you just LOOK like a Talli... I don't know. I don't use a pen name, but I have so many real names... Dana Leigh Talbert Berry Moore.
ReplyDeleteMoore? Are we related? ;p
And here I was thinking I was being clever.
ReplyDeleteI know you're Marsha, but, to me, Talli is more you. Haven't a clue why. I'm Kittie, a real nickname, with Gail, my given name, on my passport. Haven't a clue why I'm more Kittie than Gail to friends, but I am.
ReplyDeleteFor a year, I was a professional fundraiser, and I felt having a name that could be tied up to my blog was a liability, hence Rayna.
ReplyDeleteAnd I actually think of myself as Rayna these days, because she is the calmer, gentler version of me. But the other day, I saw my real name on a blog somewhere, and I jumped up and said, "hey, that's me, I'm Natasha."
How people deal with multiple pen-names is beyond me.
Stina's short for Kristina. I sign everything as Stina. Most people don't even know my full name since I rarely use it (I don't remember my parents ever calling me by my full name). I used to query with it, but I don't anymore. If an agent were to google me, they would see that once I donated money to a charity under my full name. Not much of a web presence. But google me with my common name, and it's a different story.
ReplyDeleteI'm not down that road yet! I hope I never have to be. I like my onw name ... haha I can just imagine Marsha getting all pissed off with you when you got home. Let me guess, she snatched Talli's glass of wine and sculled it? ;o)
ReplyDeleteOf course we do know your real name is Marsha Moore but am so used to calling you Talli that it doesn't matter, however if you'd like me change that i will. I use Wild Rose on blog and @LarvK on twitter but you know my real name i hope since it's on twitter. Hence, no worry it's okay if the alter ego takes over doll xo
ReplyDeleteSince I 'met' you through this blog you're Talli to me, but I'm sure your family and friends can only see Marsha. That check-signing incident is funny, but I'm sure it was startling at the time!
ReplyDeleteI have two names, as well, but since they're from the same root it isn't as jarring. I'm Tricia on my blog, which nobody ever called me in RL. As a little kid I was Patty, then I became Pat, but there were too many of them online with my last name, so I went with Tricia. It's strange to be Pat to most people and Tricia to everyone I meet through blogging. Like you say, it feels like two personas.
"Marsha sulked in the corner, scoffing the food and snaffling down wine, as Talli chatted away."
ReplyDeleteOmigosh LOLROFL. Better watch out. Marsha may be plotting her revenge.
Because I knew you as Talli first and foremost, Ms Marsha sort of freaked me out a little!!!! I was like, who are you and why do you look like Talli?!?! LOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with finding a balance between Talli (yay!!) and Marsha ('ello!).
Take care
x
I've had a number of different names for writing over the years, and different surnames from being married twice, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe only time it's a problem is when I tangle the reins and forget which name I'm using.
Didn't realise your real name wasn't Talli. It suits you perfectly!
Jx
I use my real name to write for this very reason. My characters take over my head often enough - I don't think I could cope with my alter ego taking over my life!
ReplyDeleteSo, when I'm a crazy fangirl at your launch, do I run up to you and scream 'HI, TALLI!' or 'HI, MARSHA!'?
More importantly, which one is more likely to clobber me over the head if she is ignored? :-)
This is weird but that drawing looks exactly what I would imagine you looked like if you were evil.
ReplyDeleteOh and I will eventually have to get a pen name myself.
Do a Google image search for Matthew Rush if you would like to know why.
we'll be sure to watch out for Marsha's revenge its bound to happen. I wish I could separate my two names unfortunately am still at that stage when a random person can come and yell my full name on my blog just to say "I know u, we went to HS together" and all i'll have to say in my mind is So? I can't wait till my pen name grows but even then I doubt it can take over the real me, I can be pretty feisty so good luck Joanna St. James and good luck Marsha :D
ReplyDeleteHmm I don't have a pen name and I love your name! I've been telling my boyfriend that my blogger friend "Talli's" book is coming out. I think I'm borderline schizo because of my characters so maybe one identity is enough for me.
ReplyDeleteFunny, funny, funny~ :D
ReplyDeleteI know some writers by their pen names and others by their real names- so crazy. I always feel weird calling them by pen names but they insist.
As for me, I only have one name- for now... ;)
Well knock me over with a feather--Talli so suits your cute as a button self!
ReplyDeleteI get mixed up with Christine (my legal name) and Christina (nickname my parents called me)--not much of a change, but I did wonder why my parents didn't just add the "a" at the end of my name if they were going to call me that!
I love your real name :-) May I call you Marsha? -- I really like it!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, in my humble opinion, "Talli Roland" is a brilliant pen name -- so catchy!
Interesting to see I'm not the only one with multiple personalities! :)
ReplyDeleteAgnes, yes: You can call me Marsha!
Thanks for chiming in, everyone!
I can see how it'd get a little confusing.
ReplyDeleteI have a pen name for writing, blogging etc., but only because my real name is a really common used name. :)
Obviously, this is a pen name. We used them on our blog "Gay Guy | Straight Guy" so that we have the freedom (emotional and professional) to pull off our blog. We want to be edgy not dirty, but certainly don't want our blog posts to be the only response to a google search for our professional info.
ReplyDeleteWe also hope it helps our readers see themselves in the content.
We're pragmatists. Not cowards!
I don't have a pen name. Wish I could come up with something brilliant...something that would reflect my love of the Renaissance era!
ReplyDeleteHi Talli,
ReplyDeleteI love your pen-name. It sounds like a fun approachable person behind the book ;)
I don't have a pseudonym for the simple reason that my last name is unique enough (it comes from a small town in Italy). There aren't many people that bear this name.
Cheers!
A pen name allows an author a certain amount of freedom, but it is one more thing to juggle. I say if an author knows they're going to meet a person more than twice, they fess up to their real name...Unless it would just cause confusion.
ReplyDeleteOh, the joys of typing for a living.
Thats interesting Talli, it could make a good novel plot, your alter-ego becoming a more exciting, interesting version of yourself, or has Hannah Montana done that already?
ReplyDeleteMy writing surname is my maiden name so I still find it strange if I get any post in my writer name.
Funny post! I don't think I could manage a pen name. I can barely remember my own. I've interchanged my kid's names for years. You know, "Jake, err, Liam,err, Owen-that's who you are!- go clean your room!" Sad.
ReplyDeleteI love your pen name! I think it's perfect for a chick lit-ahem-women's fiction author. :)
ReplyDeleteI only think of you as Talli, it suits you.
ReplyDeleteI am using my own name Glynis Smy for my Ripper novels. I am debating Nissi Anastasias for my romance with a title I hate. Nissi the end of Glynis and Anastasias is the name of my road.
Still working out one for my Chewy series. Sadly Wallis is taken by a worm. LOL
I have enough problems with my characters chatting in my head and demanding my attention. I can't imagine splitting myself into dual personalities for my writing (getting a pen name). It would wreck havoc on my sense of self! I don't even know what my penname WOULD be. I've never given it any real thought. Knowing me it would probably be something ridiculous and no one WOULD want to pick up my book. LOL.
ReplyDeleteJust think, your pen name is only going to get bigger after you publish!
Haha! I love that your pen personality is the dominant one. And Marsha sulking in the corner while the vivacious Talli chats away:D
ReplyDeleteTalli fits you. Both of your names actually make good pen names.
I worked for a PI one summer and learned a lot about privacy and security, so I use a pen name for my last name.
My real name sounds like a romance writer's name, but I can't write romance to save my life. I like how some writers just use initials with their last name - genderless labels.
ReplyDeletehttp://cinettesmusings.blogspot.com
Great questions! Kelley is my real name and that's what I will write YA under. I do write adult romance under a different name. So far, I'm only called that online so it hasn't caused me any problems. I'm sure if I attend a conference or something I might forget to answer if people call me Madison. lol
ReplyDeleteI don't have a penname, but if I did it would be:
ReplyDeleteAzalin Diamond-day!
I like the name Talli, sounds unique! (not that Marsha is a bad name) :) Oh, I thought about pen names....yeah, but I'm not sure how original mine would be, I think if I ever publish a book, I'm going to change my name from Antonette to Antoinette. Yeah, I just want the "i" !!! My crazy mother swears she spelled it without the i on purpose, but I see how she spells, and let's just say, she could never be my editor. So, yeah, that's gonna be my pen name b/c deep down, I'm old fashioned and romantic like Marie Antoinette.
ReplyDeleteI plan on writing under my real name, but pen names have always intrigued me. I think I could get used to signing a different name (after all, I practically see my characters' names as my own) so I understand how you get so into Talli that you start writing Talli instead of Marsha. :)
ReplyDeleteAlex Ninja Stud has a nice ring to it!
ReplyDeleteI get this, because one of my writer friends here in Fort Collins is Cricket McRae. This is her pen name, but it was months after we first met that I found that our and learned her real name. I can't help it, she'll always be Cricket in my mind, and that's what I call her.
ReplyDeletePatricia
Marsha Marsha Marsha haha! How did I not even think of that until now?
ReplyDeleteIf I did have a pen name it would probably be Riza something (yes, I'm stealing the first name of the character who acts as my blog picture).
I know the feeling. Scribble is not my real name but I get more mail addressed to my blog name than anything else!
ReplyDeleteI love having a pen name. Maybe it's because of the element of surprise when people find out - not that I'm hiding it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the name Talli. Its cute, bubbly and approachable. But the sound of a name does make a huge difference. Marsha is a more serious name and its something I'd use if I were to the next big Classic or Crime Fiction.
ReplyDeleteI always think of you as Talli, even though I know you were Marsha first x
ReplyDeleteIt's just because Talli is so fabulous you know. I'm sure Marsha is, too, but she seems a little more reserved... serious... it's Talli I want to party with *shifty*.
ReplyDeleteHart is my real name, but my maiden name (part of my hyphenated last) so it is a little odd, but I'm sure the strangeness will grow when I take on Alyse Carlson in more fora.
I tried to come to terms with you being Marsha, and tried to remember calling you Marsha, but when I saw you it just came out as Talli and there's no going back. It suits you and it's the name I knew you by.
ReplyDeleteTis confusing Marsha, er . . . Talli. I've thought about a pen name, something like Anghara Saia. Yeah, it looks pretty cool. I might use it for certain genres.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Talli taking over. It's such cool name!
I think everyone should have a pen name, even if they don't write! It's the greatest. Like anything else, names get boring after awhile. Gotta switch it up. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Talli .. I saw Marsha's picture the other day - on one of your Travel Guides .. quite a different persona portrayed .. so Talli or Marsha ..
ReplyDeleteYou're Talli to me .. but ... how you deal with two I have no idea ..?!
Happy days to have the choice! Go well - Hilary
Talli is a great pen name! I don't really have a pen name, but would like one. At the mo, I sometimes just shorten my given name. I always thought when I have a YA novel published I will think up a great name (if that happy day ever comes) but I haven't actually thought about meeting people and introducing myself with another name :/ It might be a bit confusing for my already frazzled mind! Haha
ReplyDeleteI think it's fascinating that you've kind of renamed yourself. Especially at that writing conference you mentioned. However, does your family still refer to you & think of you as Marsha & do you see yourself as Marsha when you're w/ them?
ReplyDeleteHi there. Thanks for following me. Glad to be following you. Congrats on the upcoming book! I love rom-coms.
ReplyDeleteNames is something I've struggled with. I'm thinking I may have to have a pen name once I get published because Lynda Young is such a common name AND someone of that name has already published childrens health books :( I may have to go with my maiden name... I don't know. I'm torn.
ReplyDeletebtw I've given you an award on my blog :)
Lyn
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey
am so tempted to get a new name or give my pen name a middle name i was thinking Nimue, if only i can find out what it means. I think names are fun kinda like phoebe got carried away in Friends.
ReplyDeleteI like this post so much I had to come and comment twice
I think pen names are so fun! But I'm really indecisive. I would probably never be able to decide on a pen name even if I wanted one. :)
ReplyDeleteLove yours!!
Anne Gallagher is my pen name. My real name is hard to pronounce, very French, so I hardly use it.
ReplyDeleteI love Talli, but I think if we ever met in person I would have to call you Marsha.
I love that name Talli! I've never used a pen name, but my cell phone company misspelled my name and it came out Janel on the contract - really pretty name, just not my name, but would make a good pen name!
ReplyDeleteI think the pseudonyms are like a new personality to test drive. It just feels so good to be someone new. So you let that *new* uninhibited persona take the wheel.
ReplyDeleteP.S.
ReplyDeleteWow, I thought for real your name was Talli, and I thought it was pretty, but I really like Marsha too, I'd never of guessed!!!!
So funny! I've thought about pen names, but mostly just using my initials so that I'm more accesible to male and female readers. S.E. Wedgbrow. Still, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteIt took a little while before I realized you weren't Talli...and have since found it very hard to relate Marsha to your pic. Very weird!
Ha, ha! I can just see the two ladies pushing each other around for the chance to use your brain.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly why I don't think I could handle a pen name. I already get confused enough as it is, I shouldn't tempt my mind with a total meltdown.
But I admire that you make it work!
I'm glad that my pen name is just my name with a bit cut off. It saves me from getting confused, but also helps me distance the writer me from the rest of me. I can imagine I would very easily get confused otherwise.
ReplyDeleteHow confusing for you. I think of you as a Talli. It seems to suit you more!
ReplyDeleteI haven't got a pen name yet but I was thinking of using Nell King for womens magazine submissions. King is the name I was born with and a child friends would call me Nell. I'm still sure, though.
p.s. I’m running a competition this week.
Poor Marsha, that Talli is so mean to her :-(
ReplyDeleteWhere did the alter ego come from, I mean how did you decide on Talli. LindyLouMac was easy as the first part was my Dad's nickname for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a hard enough time being LIZ FICHERA. Can't imagine having another name, although I totally get why it's necessary sometimes. Kudos to you, Talli, for juggling the dual personas! And I thought Talli was your real name! You'll always be Talli to me. :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. How'd you come up with the name?
This is so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI do not have a pen name, but am tinkering with one, because I want to work in a different genre....To me, you'll always be Talli, though I know it is your nickname. How exciting to have dual personas!