Monday, May 17, 2010

what is your alias?

As I've mentioned before, I want to write a book, and it is a goal of mine to have one done in the next few years. While I certainly don't think that my life has been remarkable enough for a memoir at this point, I really want to write about my experiences in Poland. It was one of the most amazing times in my life and it should be shared. I love reading travel writing, but I find that most books are written about England, France, Italy, etc. I've never once seen a book written about Poland! So sad!



Also, while I was there, I sent home email updates every few weeks. Of course, some people got frequent emails, but not everyone. My father saved every single email I sent him, from the time I was in Luxembourg (Jan-May 2001) all the way through when I was in Poland (Aug 2002-Feb 2004)! He saved them all onto a disc for me, and I have that at home. Every so often, I read through them, and they are so hilarious. I had some really amazing adventures while I was there.


Amazing, and somewhat scandalous, in some instances! Some stories should not be read by certain eyes (ie. my mother, among others!). So I was thinking that I should choose a nom de plume, or a pen name, to use for my book. Of course, this makes me sad, since most people won't know it is my book (though those closest to me will clearly know!). I was also thinking; if I mention specific people, do I need their permission to use their name? I would not use last names, and I'd never say anything incriminating! Maybe I should just change their names...


What would your nom de plume be?

6 comments:

dating diva said...

You should write a book! I love reading travel books. Good luck with the writing process! But it sounds like you've already got great material =)

I'm an anonmyous blogger so the pen name I post under is Delilah Darling. Being anonmyous gives me so much more freedom. I don't have to worry about people at work or school finding out about the blog and seeing something related to them there. Just to be safe I do change everyone elses names as well.

-Delilah

Rachel Manwill said...

I don't think you should use a nom de plume. Unless you did something illegal (which I highly doubt), I don't think writing a book is the same as being an anonymous blogger. People write books all the time with things that might embarress your mother, but my gut instinct is that you'd have a lot more success having it published under your own name. Besides which I bet your mom wouldn't care about those things; she'd just be thrilled you wrote a book :)

jen said...

i agree with Rachel about not needing a pen name.

as far as other people you may want to censor out the idea of using other people's names entirely, first or last, and even possibly change their details so that if they were to read the book they could not discern it was them you were referring to. if that doesn't sound good i'd check with a lawyer before publishing anything... you never know how people are going to react and unless you get an agreement signed by each and everyone mentioned in the book you should be careful.even for things you may not think are a big deal. just saying.

Anonymous said...

Mine is Lois Grebowski...LOL

Mandy said...

Hmm, I don't think you should use a pen name but that's just me.... Couldn't you just call your book "fiction" but have it based on non-fiction experiences you went through.... I like that idea a lot better.... make up characters and add a few twists using the things you've done, seen, etc. Then you can have no public shame and you can always say it was just a "story". ;-)

how i met your father blog said...

well, my blogging nom de plume is Little Miss Can't Be Wrong (lmcbw) after the Spin Doctors song... and also, the fact that I am simply never wrong ;)
whenever i meet a stranger at a bar and don't want to give my real name i become Sandy Grace Merlino... and as ridiculous as it sounds, guys believe it!