Why I Use A Pen Name

One of the most frequent questions that I get asked is why I use a pen name. If I've been published under my real name, then why bother with a psuedonym? There are several reasons, actually.

The type of things I write about, whether erotic romance, poetry, dark fantasy, paranormal horror or non-fiction pieces on the paranormal, have often brought comments and criticisms that I can not possibly write within all of those genres successfully, I do. I can. I have. However, the naysayers have a habit of spreading their negativity and trying to convince others to side with them. It is bad enough getting tagged a fraud, when you busted your ass through hard work to get where you are. When that negative view is attached to your real name, your real family, real friends get hit with the nastiness by being connected to you.

Sometimes, you need to step away and know your loved ones are protected from the BS and the harassment.

You may think that harrassment is a harsh word, but have you had your life threatened? Your pets or children threatened? Your spouse, partner or lover threatened? I have. I had one particular ass threaten to burn down my home while I slept, all because we disagreed that a writer could write in various genres. Sadly, the internet gives a lot of folks a false sense of security and they act out in ways they never would in person.

This assumption that author X writes prolifically in one genre and only one has warped some peoples' view of the reality. Many writers are comfortable in many areas of writing, many writers are not. I find that shifting genres keeps me on my toes, keeps me interested in writing, it keeps me reaching and striving to better my craft.

Besides, big name authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice and Kim Harrison have written under pen names. It isn't a crime, it's actually very liberating and allows one to venture out into fields they might otherwise avoid.

My spiritual and religious views are another reason I use a pen name. Where I live is a fairly close minded community. If you think outside the box, it is frowned on. If you hold a view that is not conservative gun toting, Bible thumping, church going (as in each time the doors are open) you are looked down on. Now, add to that that I am a peaceful Polytheist who has been and still is involved in works of healing, as well as animal rescues and attempting to live a quiet life, harming no one. Yep. Target on my back, for sure. If I openly oppose some crack pot I have to worry about the consequences, like my pets being murdered or my family being shot.

Not long ago, a church and a small bar got into it. They tossed around threats, tossed around insults. Church members burned down the bar, said it was sinful. As far as I know, they were never punished for their crimes. In part, the bar owner was not a church member, which meant he was not titheing. You can imagine what people like that would do to people like me!

Work brought us here, needing a change of scenery prompted the move, and circumstance kept us here. I know a lot of people who say "Well, just move again!" But it is not that easy. When you own your house, or your kids are settled in school you can not just pack up and move. Not to mention the exorbitant cost of moving.

Political views do not help. This area is Conservative Republican. The state is so red it bleeds. While not every soul here is Conservative, there are quite a few Democrats who are Liberal, there are very few Independants or Libertarians. To vote you must check R or D. Nothing else. In the past, when we went to register to vote we were denied when we chose D over R. Told to our faces "You can't do that," or "You made a mistake. You meant to check R." Illegal as hell, but it does happen.

This is the climate of much of America today. I am not risking my family, friends or pets because some fanatics can't rein in their hatred or ignorance. My writing what I write would only fan the flames, so I live quietly, keep my mouth shut and use a pen name. Most days, I feel like I am being a fraud, probably because I have been told such to my face so many times. I have been told that real writers don't need to use pen names. But they do if they live in a part of the country (or in a country) that denies them their rights to expression and speech; if they are subjected to the hypocrisy of religious freedom only means by one group's definition: Christian, and no other applies. I am not anti-Christian. I have friends who are Christian, they are not fanatical, they are not hate mongers, they are good people. They accept that not all people believe or worship the same way, they do not try to convert me and I do not try to convert them. A few even helped us move, not flinching as they helped me pack up my altar, the obvious Buddha statue sharing space with Anubis, Hathor and Bast. Quan Yin was gently added to that special box along with the incense offering dish.

We have often talked about our differing paths and respect each other. I treasure that and I treasure their acceptance.

For those who wonder, Storm DeVille came about easily for me. I love storms. I have found myself naming characters Storm on several occasions. Where I grew up, and here where I am now, we sometimes get those little dust-devils, or small storm-devils. I also love the older Cadillac DeVilles. So there you have it, my pen name comes from a minor weather phenomenon, my love of storms and a car. None the less, I AM still Storm DeVille, that is a facet of who I am at my core.

I write because I love it. I write because I am incapable of not writing. I am a writer. I am an author, but most important of all I am a story teller. I tell stories, I create worlds, I weave webs and dreams for others to share.

Until my real life world can grow and become more accepting of peoples differences in politics, religion, spirituality and sexual orientation I will be writing under a pen name for protection. For myself, my family, my friends and my pets.