What’s in a Name?
The math and the after-math of having a pseudonym.

Over the past few years, I have been asked by various people about the reasons for choosing to have a pen-name. The reasons were (and still are) manifold. The advantages are numerous too. Though, at times, the disadvantages tend to outweigh them.
I decided to finally write this post for two reasons. First: to remind myself about why I opted to adopt the elusive pseudonym and, two: to be able to provide a simple link to all those who seek a simple answer for something that is not so simple, after all.
So here we go…
Reason One
For Creativity: The most obvious one.
A creative pseudonym in itself is a showcase of one’s creativity. I decided to unleash my creativity on myself first. I’m the first character of my fictional world (and no, I do not have a split personality disorder).
Reason Two
For Power!
I chose for myself what I originally had no control over — my name. And, that too, without upsetting my parents, because you see, I still use the name they conferred upon me for every other identity like the PAN card or the Aadhar or the voter’s ID.
Reason Three:
For unbiased views (and reviews)…
I wanted people’s true opinions about my writing. I always wished to be judged based on what I wrote. Not based on who I was. Unbiased views… untainted by how they ought to treat me in the hierarchy of life — irrespective of whether they are my subordinates, my in-laws or even my boss.
People who dislike me in person won’t have the power to smirk or pull me down. People who love me tenderly shan’t be able to gush or make me feel vain.
Reason Four
For category-free universality
To my reader, I’d be just an entity. A face. A connect with the world of stories… Not a person with a particular caste, a named race, a specific regional, political or religious label or even a specifically assigned professional or institutional profile.
It certainly would increase the responsibility on my shoulders of emerging unbiased in these regards. On the up side, I do hope that it also may help my potential readers connect with me and bond with my work with a curious and fresh outlook — the quintessential clean slate — my name having provided no cues about my background.
Reason Five
Heads on my shoulders
In my routine, day-to-day life, I shall have no reason to gloat — I conceived this name when I was barely fourteen and obviously dreamed of becoming a bestselling author, hence the assumption— people won’t go around saying, “Oh, you wrote a book?” or think I am really special for having done it, especially because being an writer is still not a very commonplace occurence.
Basically, I shy away from ‘all eyes on me’ all the time.
I shall thankfully, continue to do the dishes, or continue to beg of my maid to come on time, or even get ticked off by my boss or snubbed by a senior.
Ah! These could well serve as fodder for the next plot.
Reason Six
My own secret
Writing serves as an outlet, a vent; writing anonymously — more so.
A exciting, secret life, a personal destination, an escape when routine life starts getting dreary. I’d be free to create a magical world for myself; like a private pool where one is free to take a quick refreshing dip at leisure — and get back into the daily grind feeling more refreshed… without anybody knowing what exactly energized you.
A meditation needn’t be advertised. So why should writing be? Both delve into the unexplored, uncharted realms of the fascinating human mind.
N’est ce pas?
Reason Seven
Two professions; two names
No one, hopefully, would bother to question my competence or credibility at my other workplace/ routine job. Simply because one has acquired the official right to dream and bake stories as a writer doesn’t mean one becomes less proficient at banking or designing or baking (actual baking)or prescribing medicines or teaching or parenting.
Phew…
