#IWSG: Should You Use Pen Names?

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Question for this month: Should you write under a pen name if you write in multiple genres?

 

 

The answer for this question will vary if you were to ask any writer.

Some may say, no don’t do this – it would confuse the readers.

Others will then say, yes definitely or it could confuse the readers.

I suppose it all depends on how drastic the differences are between the genres you’re writing.

I know of an author who writes historical fiction with varying forms of sub-genres. She keeps her last name the same, but her first names are different. Since she’s writing in historical fiction, she chose first names directly from ancestors in her family tree (which many of the books are based off).

Another good example would be Nora Roberts.

She writes Romance (with varying forms of sub-genres) as Nora Roberts.   As JD Robb, she writes futuristic suspense/crime fiction.

Another good example is C.S. Lewis who wrote children fantasy books. He also wrote poetry – under pen name Clive Hamilton.

Personally, I do use pen names as I enjoy writing in more than one genre.

Under Carrie Ann Golden I write dark fiction and poetry; C Ann Golden for mainly fantasy; and CJ Austin for action/thriller.

 

What about you? Do you write under different names other than your own?