Question: Pen Name?

[kruszer]

If I were to become a published author (writing for children or adults), should I use my real name

Kristine Kruszelnicki

or use a shorter and simpler pen name

Kristine Kruszer

Why or why not?
Which sounds/looks better?
Which would be most memorable and stick in people's minds?

I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Comments

[ransomottawa]

I dunno . . . I think I'd stick with your real name over "Kristine Kruszer," which to my ears doesn't sound so much like a pen name, as a porn name.

A good nom de plume needs either to be completely realistic (like Lewis Carroll or John le Carré), or comically exaggerated (like Mark Twain or Lemony Snicket).

[kruszer]

I think a name because yours when you use it. Shania Twain made her own name and few people know what her real name was. She's become Shania Twain.

porn name? how do you figure?

[ransomottawa]

It sounds like you're out cruisin' for hairy men with bad mustaches. There's a plot in there somewhere just looking for bad acting and funk music . . .

[kruszer]

lol. oh God no. Anything but the hair men! EWWWW!

KKK

[calvin777luther]

Kristine Kruszelnicki
Why: Sounds Better
Looks better: KRUSZER

Kruszelnicki sounds better and I would probably remember that more..

Consider this:
Kristine Kruszer Kruszelnicki

Re: KKK

[kruszer]

Yes, I've had many people ask me if my middle name started with a K as well. I thankfully doesn't

Re: KKK

[calvin777luther]

Just change your name..
Kristine K. = Kristine Kay

So do Kristine Kay

thats the winner!!

DO IT.. :)

Re: KKK

[kruszer]

hmmmm. actually thinking about it... It sounds good and it's much less of a mouthful that's for sure. But it's also a lot farther away from my original name.

I dunno. Part of me really likes my last name - it's one of the reasons I've always said that I don't want to change my name whenever I end up getting married. It's just been a part of me for so long... but if no one can pronounce it....

well I suppose I can wait until I've received a letter saying my book's been accepted for publication before making this decision... and before that happens I guess I should probably submit the manuscripts to the publishing houses, huh?

I just like fretting over long-term stuff. The present stuff is too close and real and much less fun. :P

[ilikesports]

Kruszer, but the S isn't bringing anything to the table, so why not remove it and just make it Kruzer? Kruszelnicki is totally worthless, only about 10% of people would ever actually even learn how to spell it, so there's no reason to use it

[ransomottawa]

only about 10% of people would ever actually even learn how to spell it

Yeah, but why do you have to learn to spell it when you can just copy it off the book cover?

Nothing personal - this is just a pet peeve of mine. There a whole lot of people around who get into detailed, online discussions of books or the Bible and are unable to type related names or titles correctly, e.g. "Origin of the Species, "Galations" or "Salomon." If you have the book, why can't you spell it?

[kruszer]

Origin of the Species - looks right to me

[hymnia]

I think the problem is that it should be Origin of Species. No "the".

I vote for using a pen name. Your real name is cool, but if you happen to be blessed with fame, I think it would be a problem for readers to say comfortably. I like the suggestions already offered, but what about just truncating it? e.g. Kristine Krusz (or perhaps Kruz)

[cornontheschwab]

I like Kay...someone else said it, I know...

Ooooooooooor...you can keep either your long name, or the shortened version, and that way, your fans can be your...*drum roll*...KRU!!! :D

[kruszer]

lol :P

[lmeighmy]

I think people would remember a shorter name better. You could even shorten it more: Kris Krus(e), maybe.

I would put the "e" at the end, so they'll say "krooz" instead of "kruhss". ;-)

As far as the first name, "Kris" or "Kristine" would be fine. Go with your instincts on that. :-D

I, on the other hand, have a tougher time. Last name "Eighmy." Instead of pronouncing it like "Amy," as people should, they say "egg-me" instead! :-/

[kruszer]

I am NEVER to be called "Kris", except by a few stubborn people who get away with it out of habbit and because I really like them. Chris is my dad's name and my ex-boyfriend's name. I am a woman and I am Kristine.

capiche? ;)

[lmeighmy]

I get it... ;-)

And, like I said, and I quote: "...Kristine would be fine..." :-D

[kruszer]

egg-me :P ouch. At least when they mangle up my name, nothing too horrible comes out of it.

I knew a guy whose last name was "Outhouse" (pronounced how it's spelled) when he got engaged, his fiancee begged him to change the pronounciation to Ou-thoose