1. I've said it before (elsewhere, probably not here) and I shall say it again: I find it interesting that I can introduce myself as "Trisha" to a perfect stranger, and the very next thing they say to me includes some shortening or alteration of my name that they've taken it upon themselves to give me. In one great example, I was out at a pub one night and met some guy, and here was our very first conversation:
Yes, that is what he said to me. And while he was saying that last line, he was smiling like I was being the dick head.Me: I'm Trisha.
This is what I do when you call me Pat.
Him: Trish.
Me: Trisha.
Him. Trish.
Have any of you gone through this sort of thing?
Don't get me wrong - most people in my life do call me Trish, and I'm perfectly fine with it if I actually at least know these people from a bar of soap. But I like to think they'll at least wait a whole day (maybe even a whole ten minutes) after meeting me before having their way with my name.
2. I just call myself Trisha on this blog, but I do in fact have a surname (fancy that!). I haven't got it plastered all over this thing, because for some reason I would feel weird about announcing myself that openly to the world. I think it's all part of the whole "I'm not an author, I'm just a writer" thing, and how I'm not really sure whether I will ever rely on pen names or just go with my real name. It's something I think about a hell of a lot, but I haven't come up with any good solutions to the conundrum yet. And just for the record, the idea of using a pen name doesn't sit too well with me either. I'd feel almost presumptuous, like I'm trying to be more important than I am. And yet when my fellow blogger writer people do it, it's totally fine and normal in my opinion!
So my friends... have you any thoughts? feelings? observations? on the above points?
I can believe someone insisted on calling you Trish. I've had people yell at me for correcting them on the pronunciation of my name. What is up with that? Craziness.
ReplyDeleteThat is definite craziness! how rude of those people!
DeleteI LOATHE people who instantly try to shorten someone's name, and if they've been told not to and still do it - it really irks me!
ReplyDeleteHehe, yeah, I hate it when people start calling me Jessie ... *sigh*
ReplyDeleteBy the way, nothing wrong with being known just for your first name. Worked for Madonna! ;-)
Hahha, thanks, i'll keep this in mind. :D
DeleteI don't generally mind nicknames and am used to people shortening my name to Nat from the moment I'm introduced as Natalie, but I refuse to answer anyone other than my grandmother if they address me as Nattie. It was an established habit for her before I could ever speak, so I don't feel I can ask her to stop now. >.>
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on pen names. The idea of using a pen name myself makes me feel awkward and uppity, but I don't think twice about anyone else using them.
Funny how that works, isn't it?? That we can treat ourselves differently (unequally!) to others.
DeleteI'm fine going by Michael or Mike; I've got friends who use both and it doesn't bother me; what does is Mikey. I loathe Mikey. :P
ReplyDeleteNoted! hehe
DeleteSeriously, I am not likely to mess with people's names due to how I feel about people messing with mine, so you're not in danger of hearing a Mikey from me :P
When I introduce myself anoying people fall into two catagories either Cary Grant "Judy, Judy, Judy" or The Beatles and they begin singing "Hey Jude." After all these years I just smile and say, "Haven't heard that one before."
ReplyDeleteI don't mind people shortening my name to Jude but I am a stickler for having my name spelled correctly.
I am Judie. Not Judy, nor Judi.
I have a made up name I use at work some times Gertrude Stankevich, but you can call me Gert.
My mum's name is Leigh, and of course she gets Lee a hell of a lot.
DeleteIt happens to me all. the. time. I can't tell you how many times I've been called by the wrong name. In fact, I tried to correct people when I was in high school and ended up with four years of torture from an expletive deleted surrounding it. Totally frustrating - and now I've added Schiffbauer to the mix. I have been called Mrs. Shitbauer a couple times, although it was always by accident by little kids. I'm sure the older kids think it in their heads while I'm correcting their behaviors, though. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL yeah, I wouldn't be surprised.
DeleteMy surname gets a lot of trouble too, it's quite a simply-spelled name but people just can't get it right. I've had all sorts of alternate spellings.
It happens to me all the time too. Usually I am Janette, Annette, Dan-nette (hate that one)- and I always correct them always say "D'nette" you don't sound out the a essentially. And to this day I have a co-worker who still calls me that. It's not really what you were talking about but it gave me a space to rant.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the pseudonym thing- bugs me. Blogging is superficial enough and sometimes that bothers me, that all we do is act as cheerleaders for each other. I thought about changing my name, publishing under a different name, but I don't think I will. Maybe because I am still trying to get people to see the real me? (wow let's not get all personal or anything--- yikes!) Cheers!
I have been asked if my name is short for Tamara. NO! or else i would have listed it as such. Ha! but using a pen name, not for me...
DeleteIt's interesting how people just have to believe there's a bigger story about our names than there is, sometimes at least. ;)
DeleteI don't mind using my name. I'm very in to being who I really am online and all the time.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's how I feel too!
DeleteMy proper name is Eleanor (with the ending have the same sound as ignore). I much prefer Ellie but I've been called all sorts - El, Elna, E. Argh. It's Ellie. So rude to change it.
ReplyDeleteAs for pen names, the only reason I might use one is if I was writing in a different genre. But the genre would have to be radically different to the one I write in.
I agree with that - it would be less confusing at least. But part of me wonders why that's even necessary. What's the problem with the same author writing in different genres? You can label your other books with their respective genres, to warn anyone off who isn't a fan of those genres.
DeleteI've been writing under the pen name Carrie-Anne since May of '93, when I was 13. Had I been older when I'd chosen it, I probably would've picked something a little more original, but I've come to think of it as my other name. My real name is the next-most common female name in history, and I've never really liked it. I don't understand why my dull as dirt real name is now so trendy, for both babies and fictional characters.
ReplyDeletePersonally I love the name Carrie - it's one of my favourite names. :) In fact, it was a nickname of mine in high school. Not because of Stephen King, don't worry. LOL.
DeleteI don't really get why people have the impulse to shorten names; unless I really knew someone well, I wouldn't try.
ReplyDeleteWell, I go around calling myself The Golden Eagle on everything (almost everything; I attached a name to my Eagle Directory website) so I certainly see why someone would want to use a pseudonym or not post their surname. There's enough personal information on the web as it is. :P
I think what you're doing is kind of different - you've got a platform built around your 'web name', which isn't a person's name but more a handle. But it's like I said - anyone else using a pen name is totally understandable to me. I just feel weird about it myself. ;)
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