Naming Names

[gnomi]

OK, so I was going to be all spiffy-like and construct a real poll about this, but I couldn't come up with any cute/catchy/snarky answers, so instead I'll do this the boring way.

I've been thinking a lot about pseudonyms and why/if people choose to use them. If I were to ever publish any of my fiction, I don't know whether or not I'd use a pseudonym. And that made me wonder - as I look around at all the writers on my friends list, and boy there are a lot of them. So, some questions:

1. Do you write?
2. If you write, do you use a pseudonym?
3. If you use a pseudonym, why?
4. If you don't use a pseudonym, why?
5. How did you choose your pseudonym?
6. Do more people know you by your pseudonym or by your real name? :-)

Curious gnomis are waiting with bated breath for your answers.

Comments

[fernwithy.livejournal.com]

1. Do you write?
Constantly. :)

2. If you write, do you use a pseudonym?
Yes.

3. If you use a pseudonym, why?
I hope to have a pro writing career someday, and I'm unfortunately very concerned about the reputation that could attach itself. Or rather, I was. Now I have a decent rep as a fanfic writer and am thinking, "You know, if I wrote original fic under my pseud, I might have a market!"

4. If you don't use a pseudonym, why?
N/A

5. How did you choose your pseudonym?
(Wince.) It was the name of a Mary Sue in one of my stories (Fern Withypoll). I took the name and changed the character, but she's still a Sue. An even bigger Sue, going from "Fern" to "Lily."

6. Do more people know you by your pseudonym or by your real name? :-)
What, that's not the normal way of life? :)