It came about when I was at drama school. You couldn't have the same name as any other actor - the reason why Richard E Grant has that E. Someone had my real name, the one I was born with. I trawled through some family names, came up with a combination I liked - Sarah Dakin - and asked my tutor what he thought. He said he'd think about it. Weeks later, when I needed to start writing to agents I asked him. He said he liked the name Sarah Duncan. It wasn't what I'd given him, but it seemed OK so I went with it.
When I started writing, it seemed a good idea to carry on using Sarah Duncan, because I was pretty certain the Only Fools and Horses link would get me publicity. Now, everybody knows me by my pseudonym, even me. One of my brothers sent me a card addressed to my real name, not even my married name, and I actually wrote "not known at this address" on the envelope before I clicked.
I sometimes wonder what would happen if someone tried to steal my identity. Which one would it be? The one with credit cards and bank accounts, but no birth certificate? Or the one with the birth certificate but no money to steal? Perhaps I ought to change it by deed-poll, but then why have the hassle? And besides, if I was going to change it officially, I think I'd rather have something a bit more exotic. I've always fancied Laetitia...
8 comments:
Hello there!
Although I find all of your posts interesting (your blog is the first webpage I look at in the morning before Go into the Story and even Facebook), but this post has been the most intriguing to date. Must be the air of mystery. Perhaps you should write mystery novels under your own name!
I have a rather preposterous middle initial, 'Z' which nowadays sits happily next to the initial 'P' making the name I go by, in the world of writing at least, Sean Z P Harris.
The P is for Philip, my real middle name, but the Z...that's a story for another time.
I remember thinking once that when fame and recognition eventually come my way I need to distinguish myself from the actor Sean Harris. So, I used to write my name as Sean Z Harris, but now I have settled on Sean Z P Harris.
Can't be many of them about!
PS Sorry about the double post.
International woman of mystery, that's me...
The Z in the middle makes your name intriguing. Ziggy? Zosimund? A writer I used to love was Roger Zelazny so perhaps it's association that makes me think your name sounds like a fantasy/sci-fi/thriller writer. Certainly stands out from the crowd.
(*Thinks* Sarah Z Duncan. Hmm. Probably not.)
Oh, I like Laeticia! Actually my friend just named her baby that.
Talli Roland isn't my real name, either. I've only started using it since March and already it's usurping my real name!
Interesting to read about your pseudonym experience.
(PS - Thank you for your comment on my blog. I think I *will* start trying to answer the negative what-ifs. They're probably not as bad as I think they are!_
You call that a LITTLE secret? All those classes where we all revealed something about us that no one else knows and you kept that quiet! Now I'm dying to know you're real name. How about a contest when term starts again to guess Sarah's real name? LOL.
My guess? Elizabeth?
I'm deeply envious of your friend's baby Talli, but what's the betting she'll grow up and want to be Jane or Judy. And do try working through your what-ifs - I've found it comforting rather than disturbing.
Perhaps we should run a sweepstake on my real name in class, Ann? But it would be a bit disappointing, I think. Better to keep the mystery going.
Gosh, Sarah, I didn't realise. Better write a book about it. Talli too? It's all too much.
I know, all us 'normal' people, harbouring secret identities...
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