This is something I pondered upon a lot right from my beginning days of blogging. To have a real name (or at least a nick name with a real “feel” name) or names that goes by initials or some fancy names (like SS , LR or sunshine etc)
Since I started blogging, I had used various names. In my very first blog, I used the name podiz. My grandma was tiny and had a nick name “podisu”. Podisu in Tamil means tiny. So I assumed the name Podiz when I started writing.
In my second blog, I used the name Vicky Podiz. Vicky being my nick name in real life. Podiz and Vicky podiz did sound like a real name.
In my previous blog, Xpress Coffee, I assumed the name “Mr.R” I wrote by name Mr.R, left footprints in other’s blog as “Mr.R”
After a while of interaction and comments received from others and my visits to blogs with authors by name SS , BL etc, I realized such names including “Mr.R” feels less personal in bonding than real names or pseudo names that feel real.
Blogging has become a social networking. Bloggers starts bonding with the readers and other bloggers whom they follow in due course of time. Lot of interaction happens between blog authors, readers and co-bloggers through comments, emails and other interactive channels. So it’s just not a one-way communication.
So the question is does the author name play a role in blogging? Does the identity of the blog authors matter? Does the name have an impact in the social interaction between blog authors and their readers?
Real names: Many bloggers are happy with using their real names. There is always a little joy and a satisfaction in seeing one’s real name on screen!
Pseudo names: Many bloggers avoid using their real names. They would like to hide their real life identity for various reasons. At times, pseudo name helps to shed the inhibition to touch subjects otherwise you may hesitate to talk about. At times, bloggers simply love to maintain low profile and anonymity in their blog life. Some just want to keep their blogging identity and real life identity different just for fun. While some may not even like their real names (I came across a blogger who does not like his real life name and claims it’s simply not smart enough for blog identity!) Few are just simply “scared” of sharing their real life identity.
Also, if you are going to gossip about your boss, company or dream of becoming like “fake IPL player” its wiser to maintain the anonymity. Truth at times can hurt.
While in pseudo names, people may opt to use a name which sounds real. (Many people had assumed Vicky podiz to be my real name) Such names bring realness in the interaction with readers. At one point of time, one may tend to be very comfortable so much with the pseudo names that you may start turning if someone calls that name! I for sure would look around, if someone shouts “Vicky podiz” or “podiz”!
The next category of people assume names with initials like SS , BL , XY ( my earlier identity Mr.R falls under this category) or names like sunshine, moonshine etc. One of my favorite blog author goes by name leafless!
So sample this:
“Hi Mr.R, I read your topic, the points you mentioned were interesting and …”
And
“Hi Rajan, I read your topic, the points you mentioned were interesting and …”
Can you feel any difference in the above line? Both comments are meant to convey a similar thought but I feel Mr.R sounds less personal than Rajan. Even when I commented on other’s post, I realized “Hi Simon” felt more bonding than to say “Hi leafless”.
In short, I realized Mr.R to be plastic when compared to Lakshmi Rajan, which sounds more flesh and blood.
So “Mr.R became Lakshmi Rajan in GingerChai.com”
Of course , I could have opted for my pseudo name “Vicky podiz” but then I decided to get real with my readers after all whatever I write about are what I strongly believe and one need not hide from what we believe right ?!
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I agree with your bonding point with real names. But some how I also liked your Mr. R.
I go by my pseudo name just because it is short, sounds nice to me and also somehow I feel it matches the theme of my blog.
Indha ambi irukkaanolliyo… romba chamathu.
@ Bharathi:
@ Ambi
” Indha ambi irukkaanolliyo… romba chamathu ” – lol Anniyan Ambi
jus kidding
U did d right thing Rajan.. well, i sumhow feel one mst prsnt his real self.. thts a part of ur persona.. its the courage 2 tak responsibility 4 wat u write.. moreovr as u said Mr.R gts too formal.. in my recent reply 2 ur cmmnt on my blog.. i askd u wat shud i call u finally.. Rajan, Lakshmi Rajan or Mr. R.. i got my answer.. its rajan frm 2day
Am glad you are using your real name but i like podiz, also.
“Hi Mr.R, I read your topic, the points you mentioned were interesting and …”
And
“Hi Rajan, I read your topic, the points you mentioned were interesting and …”
Ya, a name does make a world of difference. But when i learnt your name i was a bit confused about your gender and surprised coz Lakshmi is a female name rather than a male….lolzz
P.S. I have tagged you so please check out my latest post to know more about it.
Right, its Rajan henceforth. Would have been earlier but missed this post, dont know why!
Dear Lakshmi
Superb post!!! Coz whatever I had thought in the process of making a blog are described here…so none is opted out of such hulla-balla of the mind I believe. I was smiling all thru ur post as I felt I was talking to myself! Thanks for making me feel ‘at home’. I liked both ur pseudonames. ‘Podiz’ is cute:)
Even I had thought of a pseudonym and finally agreed with myself on my real name.I am thinking of using a pseudo one if ever I start another blog:)
Good Day!
With Warm Wishes and Regds
Deepa from http://deepazworld.blogspot.com/
Hi Laxmi Rajan,
Very interesting and informative point you posted in this write-up
I could relate very much with this post. In the beginning I too used a pen name and at a later stage as you said i too abandoned my pseudonym and now i use my full name
anyways i too narrated my experience in this regard elsewhere in one of my blogs.
Nice to be here, will come again to read more of your pieces. I appreciate your effort to encourage your fellow bloggers. Keep up the good work
Best regards
philip
Thanks for the encouraging comment Philip. Looking forward to more interaction with you here.