The Bloggy Questions!
That very long Take the Keys Post reminded me that we haven’t done a Bloggy Life Question for a while now. We used to do talk about one every Sunday night to ease back into the week — but nothing’s wrong with Monday. Is there? . . . especially a hard Monday back after a holiday weekend?
Okay, here’s the question . . .
What’s your response as a reader to a blog where the blog writer uses a pseudonym, writes in character, and never reveals who he or she is? Does it bother you or could you care less?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Bloggy Book Title Discussion 7
Blogging Hypothetical Question 5
Using a pseudonym (on pen-name when used by authors) is not just bound to blogsphere but its been practiced by authors for many years. If a pseudonym is used to protect the identity of the author then it is fine with me but if it is being used to give a false perception – for example a person writing a blog on martial arts uses some japanese name (no offence intended to asian community).
A pseudonym is justificed when you are writing a personal blog but for a commerical blog it hardly matter.
Hi Jack,
Welcome.
Mark Twain agrees with you completely. 🙂 But then I didn’t have conversations with Mark Twain and Mark Twain didn’t link to my writing and talk about me.
I wonder if that changes things in some way . . .
Hi ME,
It depends upon the purpose of the blog. If the blog is designed to provide practical advice, it’s better to have the real name (see my post here; it was a real struggle for me…: http://www.scotherrick.com/writeblog/2006/1/17/recognition-versus-anonymity.html)
On the other hand, some sites are designed to tell stories and having screen name is a good thing. It creates a character so that one can describe a story. For a good example, check out this new blog: http://jobynight.blogspot.com/
Jo, in this blog, just tells stories.
We need more Bloggy Life questions – thanks for thinking them up.
Scot
Hi Scot,
Thanks for the comments complete with links. It was fun to follow them to see what you were talking about.
Thanks too for your feedback. Happy to provide more bloggy life questions. I think they’re fun too. 🙂
Liz
yes mark’s blog. Now i remember. man! i am really bad at follow up. Should chk his blog. Gee, have to look at ur old posts to find that link :-p
Actually, i was speaking of the original Mark Twain, who took down his blog, because of too many spammers. It really was a shame. He happened to call last night when I go you comment so I just asked him straight out what he thought. That was how I could speak for him.
Or was it my schizoform disorder acting up again???
liz
If a writer uses a pseudonym effectively, you probably wouldn’t know it unless he reveals it.
oops! got confused with Wade and Twain! i really should pay attention more! how silly of me :-p .
Hey Liz, have you ever thought about linking the top banner of your blog template to your home page so that lazy people like us don’t have to click on that “home” link at the top right corner?
Just a suggestion. Let me know what you think?
Yeah, I’ve thought of making that link, but I’m no php guru, by any means. Let me see whether I can charm someone into telling me how to do it.
I’m just here to serve my readers. 🙂
Mark Wade with be so pleased that you confused him with Mr. Twain. Cool.
Liz
Hey Liz,
I agree with Scot, it depends on the type of blog. As long as someone doesn’t use a pseudonym to deceive their readers, there is no problem.
Joe
The first one I thought of while reading the post was Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens. You beat me to that one by a long shot.
J.
In my head, Mark is his real name and Sam is his pseudonym 🙂 Did you know that “mark twain” is a riverboat term for how deep the pole goes before it hits mud? Mark one, mark twain . . .
Yes I did, 1 mark=1 fathom=6 feet
J.
I should have known that, Joe.
You’re right there in Mark Twain country, aren’t you?
My real problem with pseudonyms comes when people use them to decieve.
What’s more important to me is whether there is a clear personality/identity associated with the name. I don’t really care if what you write/blog under matches what’s on your birth certificate, so long as I know you are you (if that makes sense).
In my own case I use a pseudonym mainly to try and get a degree of separation between my personal blogging identity and my serious academic identity.
I like that you have a name, Cas.
I can think of a person who goes with that name. That it might be a “nickname” used for blogging works for me. It doesn’t seem like a choice that you’ve made to deceive.
I’m with you on that.
If you called yourself, Teddy Bear, it would be the same, I would have to feel that you talked to me like a person. The problem happens for me when bloggers use a title and then don’t interact with me. I start to wonder what’s behind the title.
Hey Liz,
No, never even seen the Mighty Missisip…
I just like to read, and learn.
Joe (real name) LOL
I know, I thought about that later. Your river is way east of there isn’t it? Half the time I’m confused and the other half I’m wandering aimlessly.
Your problem is my problem too Liz, just put more succinctly.
Also, as Scott and Joe said, it depends very much on the type of blog.
It took having this discussion for me to figure out that was what my problem was. Why I could feel good about Chartreuse, but not so good about some others. I feel like I know him and what he stands for and that he’s a friend. He talks to me, not about me.
Liz –
Are you telling me that Chartreuse isn’t her real name?
🙂
Not only that I’m telling you that Chartreuse is a HE. 😉
OMG! Life as we know it may never be the same.
I’m glad it was me who told you.