Secret Identities

I had one a few years back.

No, I'm not superwoman. And I don't mean I was using a pen name, because those of us using a pen name, well, that's for different reasons and could be a post of its own.

I mean, I lurked around the Internet pretending to be someone who didn't exist. Apparently, it's called a "handle" but it still feels like a secret identity to me, even if I know that nothing is really secret once you hit the virtual world.

I did it because I had no idea what was out there, this was a new world for me and I entered it with baby steps. I was cautious, checking things out. I write enough fantasies to know demons lurk everywhere.

So who was I? I travelled writing forums as one of the secondary characters from the Notebook Chronicles and I'd tell you who, but I noticed someone else is using that all too secret identity now. Hope that works out for her.

Got me thinking about the pros and cons of using my real name. This is what I noticed;

under my secret identity

• People didn't take my secret identity serious. It was overlooked. I had no friends. On forums my comments were ignored and I felt like I wasn't moving. Was I really that stupid or was it the name I chose that scared people off? I know it works for some people, but it didn't for me. Maybe I should have spelled it right, that might have helped, (ya think?) but I was trying to be creative.
• When I did post something useful under my secret identity, I didn't get credit. In fact, the new gal running around under that creatively spelled name might. (I think it's funny that she chose to misspell it too. We might have something in common.)
• When I asked questions, I got poor answers, if any.
• You can't build a platform if you don't exist and you trust no one. You can't talk to agents and expect them to know who you are if you don't say who you are.

under my real name

• I was bombarded with friends, emails, recommendations, advice, stalkers, questions... almost instantly.
• Over night, my writing improved, because I have to care about what I write, how I write. This is me, baby, I can't hide or change who I am. I can only say sorry when I goof.
• People answer my question marathons. I even receive answers from experienced people who never think I'm nuts for asking how much money they made from self-publishing. (I mean, that is a personal question, isn't it?)
• I exist. I am easy to find, my comments easy to track and everything I've done I can be proud of it. So far.  
• I don't ignore people using handles. In fact, I find them revealing to who they really are.

Any of you try out secret identities? How did that work out for you?


I found this link very useful in listing the pros and cons: GUCKES.NET
Another great post on handles was: Digitalbreezes.com

Have fun out there and be safe!