When you get onstage to read, you are Katherine Elaine. When you write, you are Katherine Elaine. When you speak with agents, publishers, readers, you are Katherine Elaine.
The rest of your life, you are you.
Worked fine for Mark Twain, George Orwell, George Eliot and many others.
As an intro, how about, "Kathrine couldn't make it tonight, so I'm going to read her story. I'm Queen Mia-po-po of Uzbekistan, which has, as we all know, reinvented itself as a tourist destination for guys who don't want to be married anymore, but aren't into murder. What a shame, right? Lots of writers use pseudonyms. So, if you know me as someone else, don't spoil the joke."
Katherine Elaine or this Mysterious Alter Ego, they are one in the same, packed into the same sensitive, talented skull. As others have pointed out already, lots of successful writers use pseudonyms. As for suddenly appearing as a writer under a different name - just smile sweetly and say, "Surprise!" Anyone who cares about you will be thrilled. As for the others, they don't matter. Get up on that stage and be proud of what you've done. YOU wrote these wonderful stories because you are Kathrine Elaine and Kathrine Elaine is you. Congratulations, by the way. 💜
Thank you…🩶 The reading out loud part… that frightens me more than anything. Guess if I’ve been practising?! Of course not… I can’t believe it’s happening on Sunday already. 😱
Thank you. I believe that’s a true sign of a strong character - being able to enjoy the art, even if you disagree with the worldview of the artist. Not everybody can pull that off, sir!
Stop already! This is resistance trying to sabatoge a good thing for you! Im sure your not the only writer with a pen name to get an award. Expalin to them you have a pen name and you wish to reamin anonymous. Or you could do the ol.."golly gee...I have the flue thanks for the award but Id make everyone sick." Resistance does not want us to do things that are uncomfortable. Im so woke I cant sleep, but I think this is a bit of a reson that gives you an opportunity to go back into hiding. I say keep showing up and writing, those who care will stick around those who dont will read other writers. Never do what resistance tells you to. It loves tonhold you back!! Now stop with all this silly talk. I got a confession also! I use ChatGPT to correct my grammer and spelling.
I use Word autocorrect. It doesn’t catch all the million typos I make though. I think as long as you write the thing yourself, it’s okay if you use it only and ONLY to catch the mistakes and typos.
I seriously would consider it (as some others) if I'd to change my name. So pretty.
Also, don't worry, people will figure out who you are, if they know you irl. I'm kinda 99% percent sure that all who I was hiding from because I'm shy etc etc-figured me out. I'm an idiot too, so easier with me. I just somehow thought nobody gonna read it anyway.
They also gonna be fine with you having a pen name.
People adjust. I know I do. No reason to think I'm so very special.
Also. Other names become parts of us with time. You know that most of people in my life call me April? They know very well it's a nickname; but to them, I've been April for 2 decades, and it just stuck to me, and whatever it'll be-I'm April as well. To their kids I'm for sure April. They grew up with them parents calling me April. They know it's not my name in the documents, but so what.
Don’t even fret it. Just be Kathrine! Some will love your work, others won’t. You have no control over that so don’t sweat it. You’re going to do great! And I wouldn’t worry about the name. Pseudonyms are common amongst writers for various reasons and your reasons are your own business.
I think a number of people who go under an internet pseudonym have probably asked themselves a similar questions. You can pretend to be something you're not... or you can be something you want to be. Your essay I think outlines the latter. I think with that... why not merge the useful parts of your internet persona, into your IRL persona? Your real and digital personalities need not meet 1:1, but why not carry the useful over?
You stated you are afraid of the reading out loud part. I've got some advice, gleaned from hearing people read in conferences, book fairs, etc. Hope this helps. 1. Make sure you listeners can hear you, and then maintain the same distance from the mic, and don't turn your head away from the mic, causing fade-ins and fade-outs, robbing the listeners of continuity. 2. Don't read to the dais, read to people. If your material is on a flat surface, and you face in turned downward, your words will disappear into the wood. You material should be angled in a way that you can project your voice outward. Practice different angles at home so you know how steep the angle has to be for you to see the words. 3. Don't be a pacer. Like many college professors, readers often hold their material and pace back and forth as they read, making their audience feel like they're watching a tennis match. Stand still and don't hunch over to speak into the mic: raise the mic!! 4. Don't just practice the words, practice punctuation. If the text has an exclamation point, for example, you'll want your reading to reflect the surprise, anger, etc. so your listeners know the mood, too. 5. Know when the sentence ends with a question mark, but please don't Californiate the ending of a declarative or exclamatory sentence. Example: We went to the store, and bought candy? And then to dinner? If you need constant confirmation of what you're saying, you're not shy, you're stupid. 6. "Over the cliff" readers are annoying, too. There are READERS WHO START SENTENCES WITH A STRONG VOICE, and then drop the last 3-4 words over the cliff; these words become inaudible to the listener. For example: JUST THEN, MARY TURNED TO HER HUSBAND AND SAID, "TOM ..... muffle, muffle, muffle." TOM AIMED HIS PISTOL, .... and muffle, muffle, muffle. 7. Have water handy in case you get dry mouth, or a "frog in your throat." Stop and take a swig.
The problem is I’m not a writer. At least not in public. Writing was my secret. Now I’m supposed to reveal my identity to really influential people in my homeland. Which is a bit frightening. Will anybody take me seriously?!
Well the fact you've been invited to read your work shows that some are taking your work seriously. Like all forms of art it's subjective. The ones who don't like it - fuck them.
Start your presentation with those words. It will immediately set the tone and they will take you seriously, even if they do not have an opinion. If they don't, it is still not your problem.
Look out, because you are 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞, and the world must be ready, even if it is not. The glory is yours, 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩! Embrace your fate, or forever hold your pen.
When you get onstage to read, you are Katherine Elaine. When you write, you are Katherine Elaine. When you speak with agents, publishers, readers, you are Katherine Elaine.
The rest of your life, you are you.
Worked fine for Mark Twain, George Orwell, George Eliot and many others.
Thank you, I was going to point out that there were/are many successful writers published under a pseudonym, too....
As an intro, how about, "Kathrine couldn't make it tonight, so I'm going to read her story. I'm Queen Mia-po-po of Uzbekistan, which has, as we all know, reinvented itself as a tourist destination for guys who don't want to be married anymore, but aren't into murder. What a shame, right? Lots of writers use pseudonyms. So, if you know me as someone else, don't spoil the joke."
I love Queen Mia-po-po of Uzbekistan! A hugely underrated writer 😂
Substack is a much better place with you in it! So, be Kathrine all the way 😎
Aw thank you!🩶
Katherine Elaine or this Mysterious Alter Ego, they are one in the same, packed into the same sensitive, talented skull. As others have pointed out already, lots of successful writers use pseudonyms. As for suddenly appearing as a writer under a different name - just smile sweetly and say, "Surprise!" Anyone who cares about you will be thrilled. As for the others, they don't matter. Get up on that stage and be proud of what you've done. YOU wrote these wonderful stories because you are Kathrine Elaine and Kathrine Elaine is you. Congratulations, by the way. 💜
Thank you…🩶 The reading out loud part… that frightens me more than anything. Guess if I’ve been practising?! Of course not… I can’t believe it’s happening on Sunday already. 😱
You'll be fine. Pretend you're Dustin T. Hill. 😉
Oh yeah! Dustin is still pretty much alive and kicking…😅
Nothing wrong with Katherine Elaine being a pen name and a Substack persona. After all, it works for Thalia the Comedy Muse who is a man. :shrug:
Even though we disagree, I enjoy your presence on here. I don't want an echo chamber. Plus, I enjoy your writing.
Thank you. I believe that’s a true sign of a strong character - being able to enjoy the art, even if you disagree with the worldview of the artist. Not everybody can pull that off, sir!
Now you just need to go enjoy my art. :D
Substack without Kathrine would be boring. I like her refreshing way of behavior. And I think you’re really cool! 😎😁👍
Wow, thank you…🩶
Stop already! This is resistance trying to sabatoge a good thing for you! Im sure your not the only writer with a pen name to get an award. Expalin to them you have a pen name and you wish to reamin anonymous. Or you could do the ol.."golly gee...I have the flue thanks for the award but Id make everyone sick." Resistance does not want us to do things that are uncomfortable. Im so woke I cant sleep, but I think this is a bit of a reson that gives you an opportunity to go back into hiding. I say keep showing up and writing, those who care will stick around those who dont will read other writers. Never do what resistance tells you to. It loves tonhold you back!! Now stop with all this silly talk. I got a confession also! I use ChatGPT to correct my grammer and spelling.
Yessir!🫡
I use Word autocorrect. It doesn’t catch all the million typos I make though. I think as long as you write the thing yourself, it’s okay if you use it only and ONLY to catch the mistakes and typos.
Be Kathrine.
For one, it's one of my favorite names.
I seriously would consider it (as some others) if I'd to change my name. So pretty.
Also, don't worry, people will figure out who you are, if they know you irl. I'm kinda 99% percent sure that all who I was hiding from because I'm shy etc etc-figured me out. I'm an idiot too, so easier with me. I just somehow thought nobody gonna read it anyway.
They also gonna be fine with you having a pen name.
People adjust. I know I do. No reason to think I'm so very special.
Also. Other names become parts of us with time. You know that most of people in my life call me April? They know very well it's a nickname; but to them, I've been April for 2 decades, and it just stuck to me, and whatever it'll be-I'm April as well. To their kids I'm for sure April. They grew up with them parents calling me April. They know it's not my name in the documents, but so what.
In short. It all can co-exist.
Good luck!
Thank you!🩶 April is a cool name.😎
Nice piece, Kathrine. Just be you, that's all, girl.
Thank you.🩶
Rooting for Kathrine Elaine.
Thanks ☺️
Don’t even fret it. Just be Kathrine! Some will love your work, others won’t. You have no control over that so don’t sweat it. You’re going to do great! And I wouldn’t worry about the name. Pseudonyms are common amongst writers for various reasons and your reasons are your own business.
I think a number of people who go under an internet pseudonym have probably asked themselves a similar questions. You can pretend to be something you're not... or you can be something you want to be. Your essay I think outlines the latter. I think with that... why not merge the useful parts of your internet persona, into your IRL persona? Your real and digital personalities need not meet 1:1, but why not carry the useful over?
You stated you are afraid of the reading out loud part. I've got some advice, gleaned from hearing people read in conferences, book fairs, etc. Hope this helps. 1. Make sure you listeners can hear you, and then maintain the same distance from the mic, and don't turn your head away from the mic, causing fade-ins and fade-outs, robbing the listeners of continuity. 2. Don't read to the dais, read to people. If your material is on a flat surface, and you face in turned downward, your words will disappear into the wood. You material should be angled in a way that you can project your voice outward. Practice different angles at home so you know how steep the angle has to be for you to see the words. 3. Don't be a pacer. Like many college professors, readers often hold their material and pace back and forth as they read, making their audience feel like they're watching a tennis match. Stand still and don't hunch over to speak into the mic: raise the mic!! 4. Don't just practice the words, practice punctuation. If the text has an exclamation point, for example, you'll want your reading to reflect the surprise, anger, etc. so your listeners know the mood, too. 5. Know when the sentence ends with a question mark, but please don't Californiate the ending of a declarative or exclamatory sentence. Example: We went to the store, and bought candy? And then to dinner? If you need constant confirmation of what you're saying, you're not shy, you're stupid. 6. "Over the cliff" readers are annoying, too. There are READERS WHO START SENTENCES WITH A STRONG VOICE, and then drop the last 3-4 words over the cliff; these words become inaudible to the listener. For example: JUST THEN, MARY TURNED TO HER HUSBAND AND SAID, "TOM ..... muffle, muffle, muffle." TOM AIMED HIS PISTOL, .... and muffle, muffle, muffle. 7. Have water handy in case you get dry mouth, or a "frog in your throat." Stop and take a swig.
Great writers use various names. I don't see the problem.
The problem is I’m not a writer. At least not in public. Writing was my secret. Now I’m supposed to reveal my identity to really influential people in my homeland. Which is a bit frightening. Will anybody take me seriously?!
Well the fact you've been invited to read your work shows that some are taking your work seriously. Like all forms of art it's subjective. The ones who don't like it - fuck them.
Start your presentation with those words. It will immediately set the tone and they will take you seriously, even if they do not have an opinion. If they don't, it is still not your problem.
Look out, because you are 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞, and the world must be ready, even if it is not. The glory is yours, 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩! Embrace your fate, or forever hold your pen.
They will if they've read your work.