Then I was advised by people in the know not to use that unspellable, unpronounceable name for my writing, so I decided to go back to Masterson. It felt strange, to say the least. I started out by compromising - using both names with either an "A.K.A." or a "Writing As" tossed in. I set up a web site, printed business cards, and created an author "fan" page on Facebook, all with both names.
But it's time to cut the cord. This weekend I set up a new Facebook page as just LD Masterson. Many of you have already accepted friend requests (THANK YOU!!!). I'm getting some business cards that only have one name. I'm attending a writers' conference in July and I'm going to try very hard to introduce myself as LD Masterson, and to remember to answer if someone addresses me that way..
It's awkward. Forty-four years, after all.
I know some of you have dealt with this multiple names thing. Any suggestions on how to get used to it?
By the way, I decided to go with a Facebook personal page instead of a fan page because I prefer having Friends to Likes. If you're on Facebook and I haven't sent you a Friend Request yet (I'm still working on it) please send me one. It's www.facebook.com/ld.masterson.9. I'm not sure what the "9" is about - there aren't eight other ld masterson pages out there - but Facebook wants it so who am I to argue?
Do you like my initial profile picture?
I'm the one wearing glasses.
And, yes, the other guy is wearing bullet holes.
Thanks to everyone who played along with last Wednesday's riddles. Just to confirm for those of you who kept your answers to yourself and those who left them in your comments, here are the official answers:
Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April. The
second child was named May. What was the third child's name? Johnny
What word in the English Language is always spelled incorrectly? Incorrectly
Billy was born on December 28th, yet his birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible? He lives in the Southern Hemisphere.
What word in the English Language is always spelled incorrectly? Incorrectly
Billy was born on December 28th, yet his birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible? He lives in the Southern Hemisphere.
Thought for Today:
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
34 comments:
Wicked photo!
I'd friend you if I was on Facebook.
It would be difficult to remember the right name. Just repeat it to yourself over and over until it sticks.
I love your profile photo, it's such a great picture. And you made me laugh about the one wearing glasses LOL.
I went through something similar with names when I was married and then divorced. I wasn't married nearly as long as you, but I had a very difficult time deciding how to deal with The Name Thing. I feel your pain on this one. Men have this so much easier than women. No matter what happens in their life, they keep the same name. Bliss, I tell you.
I do think that this will come back easier than you think. You did have this name for a LONG time before you didn't:)
I'm not a fan of facebook pages, either. I like the two-way communication and pages kind of seem one-way. Maybe my tune will change if I ever hit the 5000 friend mark, but I doubt it. People can still follow you without friending, and isn't that what a page is all about?
I'm with you, at least for now, I prefer a personal page on FB. I'll have to keep your name journey in mind. I, too, have a complicated last name (and maiden name) and have shortened it and use the "writing as". But I may eventually go the legal route and just change it-- I'm still on the fence with it.
You found me on Facebook!
I have both pages, but the one is geared more towards me as a formatter and speaker than an author.
And it's taken me this long to realize - we have the same first two initials.
LOVE that 'thought of the day' and a very cool picture of you and your 'friend' :)
We're friends already :)
Cool photo!
I understand your dilemma. I've been married, and have had this Polish last name for more then 43 years, too. But much to my dismay, I'm not the only Susan Swiderski around. (Go figure!) So for writing purposes, I've been using both my maiden and married names. A little cumbersome, perhaps, but it better pinpoints ME... for both people who knew me prior to marriage, and after. So far, it's worked for me just fine. (Although it was a teensy pain in the derriere to do a book signing with the whole enchilada name earlier this month...)
I friended you as soon as I saw your link.
My sympathies on your name dilemma, but I think you did the right thing.
I'm not a fan of Facebook Pages. I much prefer to Friend than Like since as Stacy said above, FB pages tend to be more one way--not always--but often enough that it makes me hesitant to commit.
Love the photo!!! You look great and what a great choice for a partner! :)
I didn't realize you couldn't friend people on an author page - having people Like me seems awkward!
Alex - Thanks, it's one of my favorites. I guess the name thing will just take practice.
Julie - Well, I didn't want anyone to be confused.
Robin - Technically, I'm keeping my real (married) name. I just need to establish a second one for my writing. Not sure if that's easier or harder.
Stacy - I prefer to Friend. I just feels better.
Julie - Just to clarify, I'm not changing my legal name. But I need to get my pen name established as a separate identity so I can stop using both all the time.
Diane - Yea! I found you. Not just the same initials but the same middle name.
Mark - Thanks. Glad you liked them both.
Carol - Thank you for being my friend. Wait, why am I hearing music? Oh look, it's Bea and Betty and...
Susan - At least people can pronounce Swiderski. Mine is...shhh...Leszczuk.
I think I met you as LD Masterson. Don't remember other name. I really like your picture very much! I think we are already friends in FB, that's so cool. Dragon hugs!
Thanks for the clarifi ation on the pic. I would otherwise have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Me, I"m lucky to have a five ltter name.
Fabulous pic :)
I love that quote at the end. Ain't it the truth.
Al - You're right, I only discovered your wonderful blog this year.
Stephen - I was afraid people might need help. (I should have put my glass on my bullet ridden friend for the picture. Didn't think of it.)
mshatch - Thanks.
Susan - Too true, too true.
Love your picture!!!
I'm not going to be much help on the name thing. I hyphenated my maiden name and married name. It's sort of been a pain, but I'm glad I did it!
Amusingly, I did the opposite of you. I didn't like my maiden name so kept my first husband's name even after I divorced him. Then when I started writing, I made up entirely new names for fun. Woohoo! You can be anyone you want to be in this business! :-)
Fun profile pic! I've always had the same name, so I don't have any advice to share, but I can wish you good luck getting used to this, so...good luck! :)
I love that picture!
...and that end quote too!
Writer In Transit
Lovely picture, LD! Are we already Facebook friends? We should be! I'll send you a request if not :)
I seriously want to know more about that skull!!
I had another last name for about a year. It started with an "F." When the divorce went through, I was ecstatic to have dropped the "F" word! That doesn't help you, but I do like the picture, and you'll get used to your name in time.
Be well.
xoRobyn
Tyrean - Thanks. I think we make a cute couple.
Emily - I never considered hyphenating. With our names the result would have been a nightmare.
Lexa - Oh Lord, it took me so long to come around to using my maiden name, if I had to make up a new one, I'd still be working on it.
Heather - Thanks. I never turn down good luck wishes.
michelle - Glad you liked them.
Julie - I think we are but if not I'll be looking for that request.
Sarah - Um, well, I was digging in my garden one day and I... No. I used to work at a funeral home and... I bought it. I bought it on ebay. Yup, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Robyn - Love it. And, yes, I'll get used to it.
ooh! intriguing photo. Glad you've set up your facebook page!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
I use a pen name and to be honest, I would feel awkward if someone called me by my pen name in person. It is so much easier to deal with it on social media. But I am sure the more you use your writing alias and you attend more conferences, the easier it will become. Best of luck to you. Once again your riddles absolutely stumped me.
That is a cool skull. Wouldn't want to be him/her, though.
Congrats on the FB page!
I'm totally laughing at your bullet comment... CRAZY! Love the pic. :D
Wonnderful profile pic! I'm intrigued by the skull with the bullet holes.
I think you just friended me on FB - I'll double check, though.
Loved your riddles - why do I always get caught out with that one about Johnny, LOL?
Awesome photo :) And an excellent riddle!
Sarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
Nutschell - Thanks - on both.
Murees - You need to spend time with a middle schooler. They're riddle champs.
Lydia - Well, at least he doesn't need to wear glasses. And he hardly ever has a bad hair day.
Morgan - Should I admit the bullet holes are real?
Gwen - We always look for the hard answer instead of the obvious one.
Sarah - Why, thank you.
Facebook done. Ref name, my fictional 'Clay Cross' is a misogynist cold war warrior, racist, homophobic everything you'd associate with Micky Spillane on a bad day. He anglicised his name from Clayton Zacrowski for much the same reason, and because he didn't want to be mistaken for a commie. Names are important : )
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