By the way, I'm not going to whine about author pen names or hiding or the psychology of lying (as if) or who is this and who isn't that. So if you're looking to shoplift that whole 2009 kind of drama, please. Let's all move on. That's so last season.
Instead I'm going to whine about my online identities!
I just unloaded in the comment section at Kris' blog about my little problem--and I thought it best to move my meltdown/identity crisis to my own digs. Kris' post was rather serendipitous because last night I was up late wondering something.
Is it time to assimilate my online presences and become the LB Gregg Borg??
(See Above Photo)
Here's my story.
Here's my story.
My name is LB Gregg--and I'm a writer--although not so much this week--and I not only misuse the em-dash, I have multiple online personality disorder. I've tried to be upfront about this from day one. Unfortunately, as my circle grows, and Lisabea blogs less and less, confusion reigns.
Which comes as a surprise only to me.
Three years ago I ventured online under a name I no longer use--a name I was also using in my personal life. It was a sloppy name, but even then, I wanted to erect an (imaginary, invisible, online) wall between myself here and my life there.
This is not so unusual. We read about it all the time, and I'm not pretending to be someone else, not a fakester, but I crafted a name-mask to wear while tooling around the internet. Nearly everyone does this. In fact, when I see a 'real name' online--someone using their true identity outside of facebook-- I assume the person is either new here, a reader or they are in someway branding themselves. Does that make me bitter? I hope not because for the record, I have zero problem with this.
K.
So about three months into blogging I knew that a more specific presence was necessary for me to truly make an ass out of myself --and Lisabea (a name I've had since my late blooming older sister learned to talk at age four) and Nose were born. La dee da. Then the boy kissing started and it was a slippery slope to ManLoveMonday, reviewing, and kindred spirits reading and sharing books every day.
And then...I...found AWZ (the most brilliant show in the history of German television) this January and I began to interact using the YouTube account I'd set up four years ago.
So here we are, taking a good hard look at my personality fragmentation. Are you still reading? No. You're looking at the goddamn pictures. Here's another one.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I didn't intend my multiples as a ruse or a way to comment on my own posts (although I do that)--they are simply the product of my life taking a few unexpected turns.
Three years ago I ventured online under a name I no longer use--a name I was also using in my personal life. It was a sloppy name, but even then, I wanted to erect an (imaginary, invisible, online) wall between myself here and my life there.
Mrs-What's-Her-Name: early blogging years.
But privacy is an issue. And let's face it, I'm a wife/mom. I'm dealing with fears and anxieties of my own and hiding seemed the smart choice.
K.
Do you know this blogger?
So about three months into blogging I knew that a more specific presence was necessary for me to truly make an ass out of myself --and Lisabea (a name I've had since my late blooming older sister learned to talk at age four) and Nose were born. La dee da. Then the boy kissing started and it was a slippery slope to ManLoveMonday, reviewing, and kindred spirits reading and sharing books every day.
One such spirit was/is my good friend TeddyPig. We reviewed some books in a slap dash tag team sort of way (I heart you 4 evah) and at some POINT he dubbed me LBea--yet another name I use.
I know. Truly that's his fault. It's a lot like my friend Carolyn Jean-- who became Carolyn Crane-and is known far and wide as CJ. Why? Because I was always too lazy to type her full name. These things happen.
Also random name dropping is not a problem for me.
Exciting new author Carolyn Crane!
Anyway. Two years ago I started writing. I went on my way to RWA with a roughly finished manuscript in my sleekly manicured hand, and I knew I needed a bold author name. We (bunch of us) took a vote and I became LB Gregg for the purpose of publishing.
It's a nice name. I am, as we know, LBea anyway, and if called--I answer to my new name. There are many authors who don't. Don't laugh. Just ask Treva Harte (name drops like an anvil).
Initially I planned to keep my identities sekkrit because ... well shit. I have no idea why. It sounded like a good idea at the time? But as many of you know, this didn't work out for me. Thus I am LB and Lisabea (plus that other name from the past) and LBea. No problem. People do this. Summer Devon is someone else. Nora Roberts is someone else. JR Ward is someone else...what ever. It's part of the deal. (drop drop drop)
And then...I...found AWZ (the most brilliant show in the history of German television) this January and I began to interact using the YouTube account I'd set up four years ago.
It's an entirely different name.
How droll.
When I went to GooL and met the good people there--I received blank looks upon introduction as LB or Lisabea or even Lisa- for crying out loud- until I mentioned my name on YouTube. There was a least some vague nodding.
So here we are, taking a good hard look at my personality fragmentation. Are you still reading? No. You're looking at the goddamn pictures. Here's another one.
Gacked from Kris. Does he look bored?
Getting down to it.
So--what do you think? Should I become LB Gregg Borg--or just carry on? Because:
One--I'm struggling with the weight of all these names and places.
Two--I need to condense. My twitter. My sorry assed Live Journal. My blogger profile. My YouTube. It's just exhausting me to try to keep up with all these people.
And Three--Lisabea is eventually going to be eaten by the bigger fish--LB Gregg.
OK I think I'm done. I need a red dress, a hat, and a bag of Dove chocolates. It sounds like scavenger hunt, yes? But it's actually me packing for the RT Book Lovers Convention.
Love,
LB
~also known as Sweetbea. Aw. That one is a keeper.
39 comments:
I think everyone is reading my mind lately. After the craziness in my life dies down a bit, I was planning on evaluating my name/identity issues b/c it's getting out of control. I have a website, facebook, twitter, livejournal, blogger, etc all for Dakota Flint which I use to write gay romance. Then I have my real name facebook, twitter, and a personal blog where I blog about life, laughter, law school, etc. And then I'm shopping around a thriller to agents and plan a pen name for that, for which I have the domain, twitter, blog, etc. AND I have a m/f project I've been working on that I think I'd like to see if I can epublish, but I'm unsure if I should use Dakota or my other pen name or even create another pen name. And in the back of my head is the idea that with all of this, I'm young and what if I keep my publishing identities transparent and someday I want to do something in my career where (small-minded) people would hold this all against me. Does this mean I should stop trying to publish or only publish certain things or should I keep all these secret identities straight? It's...exhausting.
Um...sorry. I think I just had my own meltdown on your blog. But having said all that, I think the best route is LB Gregg Borg, b/c that's the least tiring and the easiest (and maybe it's b/c I know you, but I thought everybody knew LBea = LB Gregg) But ultimately it's whatever you're most comfortable with.
Dakota~ Is my print huge? I'm having SERIOUS eye issues and I think I just entered the realm of LARGE PRINT.
Yes, D. You are so spot on. I think the Borg is going to eat me. But the real whine is I LIKE LISABEA. She's so zesty!
You're really growing and doing fabulously. I"m so excited to watch your career unfold and (email me) all your pen names. :) Because we're angels to the end. Even if we are exhausted.
LB
By the way, I'm not going to whine about author pen names or hiding or the psychology of lying (as if) or who is this and who isn't that. So if you're looking to shoplift that whole 2009 kind of drama, please. Let's all move on. That's so last season
LOL. It always translates to sweaty desperation, doesn't it? But why don't people like ME more? I'm the REAL thing!
I think branding is essential, which is why writers often use different pen names for the different genres they work in. Hence you have Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels/Dr. Barbara Mertz.
You need to be one thing all the time to establish brand recognition. Blogging under your other nom doesn't make sense -- not because it's "dishonest" to write under one name and review under another, but because you can't maximize the promo value of reviewing or blogging if you're doing half your promo under one name and half of it under another.
(And let's face it, most online interaction for writers is about promo -- including all those earnest discussions about what other writers do.)
It takes a lot of repetition before a name begins to register in the public consciousness. So you don't want to mix that message. But the best branding is your writing. It doesn't matter what name you publish under, people either want to read what you write or -- they don't.
Oh, by the way, there can be no such thing as misuse of an em dash! It is the perfect punctuation mark.
Oh my god I feel like such a stalker - I can usually spot the name differences when you comment O_o
For me I don't mind if an author uses their author name when they want to comment as an author, or if they want to use another name for a different online personality so long as it's not used for negative commenting. I get the pen name, really I do. I think one needs to use it for online personalities to protect yourself or at least this is what hubs tells me during his 'scared straight' online discussions with me.
Christ on a crutch, I thought this blog would never end. And IT'S SCREAMING AT ME IN LARGE PRINT.
Keep it simple. Hi, my name is (whatever you choose to use today) and I write as LB Gregg.
I only have two names--my real one, and my pen name. And more and more the two are colliding. So at writing gigs I get a lot of "Should I call you A or Sam?" I always say Sam because that's the name I write under and it's business. Everything that has to do with writing (blogging, tweeting, etc.) is done under my pen name. See Josh's comment above.
Did that help at all? Probably not. I have issues, they're just not related to identity.
Josh~ In theory I know this--in practice I did this entire gig backward. It's entirely your fault. You hear me, old man?
Also you're right as usual. Kill Lisabea. We need T-shirts.
(but not SWEETBEA)
Smokinhotbooks~LOL You may stalk me--and your husband is probably right. But it does get more difficult as our faces appear online at signings and what all (or partying it up in SoCal or NYC).
so long as it's not used for negative commenting.
Excellent point. I HATE when people do that. It's so transparent.
Samantha--Did I fix it? SHIT I can't tell if it's still large print. Really my eyes are going down hill fast (whine with cheese).
Keep it simple. Hi, my name is (whatever you choose to use today) and I write as LB Gregg.
I do that for the most part. :) I'm learning.
You have issues, but gal, you're smarter than hell so we put up with them. I heart you.
I did the name switcheroo thing about two years ago (I think). It was when I started my blog.
I used to post as MaryKate. And most people knew me as MaryKate or MK. But then, I started Adventures in Katidom. And everyone was like, "Huh? I thought your name was MaryKate?!" And so then I went to MK AKA Kati. But that's just a giant PITA to type. So then I went to just Kati, right around the time I started reviewing for sites other than my own.
So I feel your pain. You will forever be LBea to me. In fact, that's how your name is entered on my cell phone. LBea RULZ.
Dakota, I think the problem here is you're thinking of these pen names as "secret identities."
They're pen names.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pen_name
They are used and discarded as necessary. Some publishers pick them for you. Some publishers retain them after you leave their house. If your sales aren't what they need to be, you may be asked to pick a new pen name (which is one reason you might not want to use your own name in publishing, especially when you're starting out).
You should be sharing minimal to zero personal information on line, period. Readers really don't want to know a lot of personal info, and even if they do...that's just Not On.
The idea of creating a fake authorial identity is an old one in publishing, but it's more hassle than it's worth.
http://www.seastoriesbypaulgarrison.com/penname.html
Basically, use a pen name, keep all private information private, and deal with people as yourself. You know that old saw about a rose by any other name? What makes you YOU is more than the name you write under or use to promote yourself online.
XX and you're still MK aka Kati on my blog roll!! LOL. I was like--back then I did think 'wait who ARE you?'
You are Kati. And I adore you. Funny you think of me as LBea. I assume everyone from 'the old days' thinks Lisabea. Hm...Lisabea who is dead now. Apparently.
I'm thinking of draping the blog in black for a day and having a ceremony. Too much? No?
Josh right again. I blog about some inner personal details and even use my gloriously shiny face on my site, but I try to keep my real life, like Sam does, where it belongs. Off the internet.
Interesting point about houses retaining your name. I was going to explain that this morning on Kris' blog, but I was side tracked.
so long as it's not used for negative commenting.
The anonymous commenting is just as bad. I mean...seriously?
Commenting on your own posts???? What would be the purpose? You look more popular so more people will buy your book? If your book isn't interesting you can't fool people into thinking it is.
At least I don't think so. But then I don't see how tweeting can possibly work.
I admit I see certain writers with huge fan bases and I just scratch my head. But it's clear they aren't faking that. Different people like different things.
You will ALWAYS be Sweetbea to me.
J~Commenting on my own posts as one then the other?
Oh well I just forget to sign out as Lisabea when I'm doing my GoogleReader blog hopping--and then I sign back in as LB Gregg to do my ...
It's so fucking complicated. This ends.
Tweeting R Fun. Well, sometimes. I get overwhelmed by it. But it's a great quick way to get info out. I see Smokinhotbooks already retweeted my post. :) Thanks baby!
Oh well I just forget to sign out as Lisabea when I'm doing my GoogleReader blog hopping--and then I sign back in as LB Gregg to do my...
Oh THAT. I always recognized that for pilot error. *g*
Pilot error. Snort.
Josh and LB made a very good point. (As usual.) Retaining rights to their pen names is one thing writers just starting out often fail to do. I know with the first contract I signed I made sure I kept the rights to my name.
There's a workshop at RT, I'm not doing it, about contracts and rights, etc. I attended a similar workshop at my first RT. It should be a must on all new writers' agendas. Just sayin'.
And, Josh, I've picked up a lot of new readers from Twitter. I was a late convert, but I do love it. It's also a distribution center for blog posts, online articles, and updates. Very convenient.
Good lord, I'm exhausted and no, he doesn't look bored but he's freaking hot.
Ummm. I'd Borg it because I just can't be bothered with all that stress. I am Tam everywhere, I am my avatar everywhere. It's just easy but then I'm old and grumpy and I don't care if people don't like me or what I say, go away. I suppose if I was 20 it would be more of an issue. Although very few people in my family or real life call me Tam, so I guess my internet presence is uniform, makes life easier.
Can I whine about something? People who change their avatars every 2 days. Arrgghh. Do you know how many people named "Adam" are out there? How do I know you're the same "Adam" I agreed with last week and not the "Adam" who makes me crazy? So for me, unless you are posting with a full name please pick an avatar and stick with it and don't make my brain hurt. Thank you. /rant
So the real issue here is that I ran long?
LOLOL.
I'll endeavor to keep it brief from now on.
TAM~So right about the avatar. That's what I meant about Batman/robin.
He is hot. I stole a cookie from Kris.
Josh--I'm sorry, when I said "secret identities" I think I was just being flip. I know what a pen name is, and I definitely did NOT mean fake authorial identity. No matter what I'm blogging, twittering, or facebookin under, I'm always me: a twenty-something law student with a thing for romance and laughter. That's always what people get, no matter what name I'm using.
Transparency is something I do worry about, but mostly I think I was just complaining about all the twitter and facebook and goodreads accounts, blogs, websites, etc that are necessary to maintain a pen name in the age of online promo. Although, I guess it's not a rare problem for anyone writing across genres.
Samantha--Twitter must be tamed--we need to drag J kicking and screaming onto Twitter. It's useful. Lots of networking, and because I'm neck deep in fandom, lots of connecting with people I don't see elsewhere.
:)
I need to join my FB to my Twitter.
Crap, I have so many multiple personalities or identities flying around, it is not even funny.
To me you will always be LB just as Carolyn Crane will always be CJ.
Your work, drive and hard work speaks for itself without having a specific title.
I loves, loves, loves Twitter. I don't use it that often (as in I don't comment that much), but I adore that most of my favorite authors are on it. It's v. cool to get groovy little updates and also I like to interact w/authors when I can.
Josh, you really should join Twitter. Give your legions of fans insight into your exciting life. ;o)
Dakota~You have come to the right forum to vent about it--I sure did. It's very difficult to keep up with it all. This is the VENT AREA. Feel free.
((insert encouraging motion here)))
Kati--We will break him.
Thanks Katie(babs). =) That was sweet.
VMT, FTW!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I don't know what your YT moniker is but you'll always be LB to me. :-)
KA~That's the ticket!
T~Yeah. Darliin', we're old school. :-)
Oh, by the way, there can be no such thing as misuse of an em dash! It is the perfect punctuation mark.
*hearts Josh* Yes!
Oh, wait, what were we talking about? ;)
Um, how sad is it that I never really noticed the difference between your two names and just thought you had two different avatars, depending on your whim? Anyway, it sounds like you're moving toward LB Gregg Mark 2.0 (New and Improved! Now with added vitamins and minerals!) - go for it. :)
I'm Chris nearly everywhere. Sorry, Tam, I have two different avatars because I love both of them - this avatar on blogger (and in my blog sidebar) and the Eye of Mayhem in gravatar and livejournal.
I like "Lisabea," personally, because that's the name you went by when I started reading the blog. When you set up the LB Gregg pen name, you'd comment on here with either name, which left your author pen name pretty transparent. Maybe put an "LB" or "a.k.a. LB" with all your fandom, blogging and writing names. That might simplify things.
My head hurts.
Okay, now that I've had time to wake up...
Because I knew you before you became fame-arse, I think I'm probably always going to call you by your various names. For eg, LB or Lisabea when we're chatting, Sweetbea when I'm sucking up to you or telling you that I adore you, and Lisa when I'm yelling at you.
So, as long as that's a given, I reckon you should go the borg route. If nothing else, you will be LBorg. That's pretty majecul - the first awesome captcha I've ever had. I have a little tear in my eye.
And, Josh, I've picked up a lot of new readers from Twitter. I was a late convert, but I do love it. It's also a distribution center for blog posts, online articles, and updates. Very convenient.
I know. I do know, Sam. Everyone does it! I know it's effective. I just can't figure out how that can be.
Transparency is something I do worry about, but mostly I think I was just complaining about all the twitter and facebook and goodreads accounts, blogs, websites, etc that are necessary to maintain a pen name in the age of online promo. Although, I guess it's not a rare problem for anyone writing across genres.
And you've shared many touching, moving moments in your life -- the good and the bad -- with those of us lucky enough to know you. Sometimes it's okay to share. You have do what's comfortable. I'm comfortable joking and sharing writing advice. That's about the extent of my sharing abilities.
As I ponder my recent non-erotic subs, and the fact I plan to write more of them, I also ponder a name-shift.
:/
Oh, and Dakota--don't forget to tell your state's version of the Board of Bar Inquisitors about your alternative names. Consider how you will do this, if you haven't already. They have NO sense of humor.
You need to be one thing all the time to establish brand recognition. Blogging under your other nom doesn't make sense -- not because it's "dishonest" to write under one name and review under another, but because you can't maximize the promo value of reviewing or blogging if you're doing half your promo under one name and half of it under another.
Brand recognition: clearly it's possible to maintain that even with with more than one online identity, seeing that you blog so wildly successfully as jgraeme2007 - so what's your secret?
But I really sympathise with LB: I only have a couple of online identities, but also half a dozen or more email addresses; and I can never remember which one I established for which purpose *g*
You will always be Lisabea to me since that's who I first met and now love. *sniff* However I think it all needs to be LB Gregg. Blog, youtube, twitter, fb - everything. People will know who you are and you won't have to keep signing in and out. :)
I'm kinda late to the party, but I just wanted to say that the lisabea, lb, lbea, etc monikers are as interchangable in my head as they are online. I don't know if you've noticed, but I tend to address comments to you using any of those names at almost random intervals. Of course, when I first discovered you, you were lisabea so that's how I think of you most.
And can I just say how fortunate I feel to have discovered you online when I did? New worlds were opened to me on that day. :)
Oh, and I have lots of monikers too... I'm debating about removing my personal information from fb/blog/myspace for privacy's sake - especially since I'm now blogging about writing and I'll likely use pen names whenever I finally get published.
Post a Comment