Today I want to rant about something that has been on my mind for a while: the elusive search for the perfect pen name.
Seriously, if you've ever tried to come up with one, you know it's not that easy. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but only if that needle is a name that reflects your essence, sounds cool, and, oh yeah, hasn't already been claimed by someone else!
First, let's talk about the pressure. You want a name that resonates with you, something that feels like it could be etched on the spine of a bestselling novel. But at the same time, it has to have that "wow" factor, something that catches the eye of future readers. I mean, who wouldn't want a perfect name that screams "successful author"?
Then there's the complexity factor. You don't want a name that's so complicated it requires a pronunciation guide! A good pen name should be easy to remember and spell. If it takes more than three tries to get it right, it's probably not the one.
And let's not forget the biggest challenge of all: originality. With countless authors out there, it's HARD to find a name that hasn't already been taken. You might think you've struck gold with a name, only to discover it belongs to someone who sells jewelry, does interior design, or is an influencer! Been there, done that 😂.
So there I was, caught in a whirlwind of frustration, brainstorming names that captured my essence while being fresh and unique. Do you know how absurd this is? I tried mixing my favorite words, playing with alliteration, and even diving into different languages for inspiration. Nothing seemed to work 😕.
Finally, I picked three options and tried them out loud, searched them online, and chose the one I liked best: Aria Saffron.
What do you think? Does it sound good?
You can share yours and tell me how you came up with it!
I know from experience that it is a process that can be both fun and maddening. So here's what I've learned:
♦︎Choose a name that fits the tone and style of your genre.
♦︎Pick a name that is easy to remember and pronounce.
♦︎Make sure the name isn't widely used by other authors to avoid confusion. (Check sites like Namechk.com to see if it's available on social media.)
♦︎Choose a name that resonates with you personally and reflects your identity or writing style.
♦︎Keep it relatively short and simple; avoid complicated spellings.
♦︎Consider how easy it will be to find online; unique names may rank better in search results.
♦︎Consider any cultural implications or meanings associated with the name.
♦︎Think long term; will the name still feel right as your writing evolves?
♦︎Consider how the name will look on book covers, marketing materials, and social media.
♦︎Remember, your pen name is part of your author identity so choose something you're proud of!
Happy naming! ✨
Aria Saffron
YOU ARE READING
Writer's Ranting
Non-FictionIn this book, I vent about the problems that arise in my journey as a writer, from the smallest to the most frustrating. If you want to know my opinion on certain topics and learn from my mistakes as I venture into the world of writing, you are wel...
