Take my name for example:
My first name is Ioana - how would you pronounce it? Probably along the lines of I-wanna. Not too bad, but it's actually E - wanna. :)
My middle name is Ştefana - there's already a problem there since it has an evil ş in there. ş is basically sh - but that doesn't work the problem of pronunciation out, does it? It's reads something like: Shteh-pha-nah.
My last name is Pristavu - I can't teach anyone how to pronounce this in writing (something like Pri-stah-voo).
And even so, there's the accent of the syllables, and the the fact that I can't actually spell my name like that on the cover of a book. Therefore, a pen name is in order.
As you all know, Stephanie Jones was my first choice - but I came up with it when I was 10. See a problem here? Plus, it's very common - and if I'm going to be a writer, I want an uncommon name, so that people can recognize me.
And here's how mature I usually am |
Jones was a combination of my first name - which translates as Johanna and the fact that my last name, even at home, is distinctive - and I wanted a non-distinctive one. So, Jones it was.
Meanwhile, I grew up (yes, it unfortunately happens to the best of us) and it suddenly dawned to me that it's not working (since I share the name with a photographer, other authors and miss teen USA).
Change, change, change
And I came up with this:
I'm keeping Stephanie - I grew too fond of it over the years and I like the sound of it. Plus, it really is my name :) Though, I consider spelling is Stefanie.(make it even more standing out)
Jones will turn into Johanna which will turn into Jo which will turn into a J (I actually like the middle letter there :) Plus, I've been told I have a thing for the letter J)
And here comes the huge change - I'm putting my family name there - well, not the real one, but one pretty close to it anyway. So Pristavu = Pristty
My first choice was Pritty, but I think I like it with the S there as well - closer to the real thing. Plus, you can find Pritty as a case against the UK at the European Court of Human Rights.
So, here are my two/four choices:
Stephanie J Pristty vs Stephanie J Pritty
Stefanie J Pristty vs Stefanie J Pritty
Or, of course, I could always go for S. J. Pritty/Pristty - but I'd rather have my full first name there (so that people would know I'm not a dude:p)
What do you guys think? Which works best for you/looks nicer on paper/are more likely to remember? I'll take your votes to heart, and it might even influence my decision.
For the last time, I sign myself as Stephanie Jones :)