Write stories under two names?

[professor_jim]

I've published one semi-highbrow story here. I'll publish more like it when I get the time to write them.

But now there's a story inside me that's real lowbrow. It's down, dirty, filthy, and foul. Possibly a crowd pleaser, as long as that crowd lives and breathes in the gutter, like me half the time. This nasty little story is begging to get out of the perverted side of my brain.

Is it best for me to write such sexy trash (but highly literate trash) under a different name? Should I have two authorial voices for two types of writing? Or just be one guy with "range?"

Does it matter? Is it worth asking?

 

[Darkniciad]

I have three pen names, but that's just me.

Keeping everything under one banner is probably better for your overall exposure due to more frequent appearances in the New list and algamating all your readers for the favorites list. The downside is people complaining when you break out of the formula that they prefer for a story or two.

I'm not really divided as to the tone of the stories. I have smut and stories in the two that I advertise. The only real division between them is that I stick to fantasy world stories and my one humor series in one, and mostly real world settings in the second. The third is dedicated to pure smut.

 

[sr71plt]

Under two names (sr71plt, there, habu, for publication), I'll write just about anything--and, yes, I notice a difference in reception, although more along the gay-straight divide than along the nice-nasty divide. I have two names I write under for e-book Romance, though, where I go light on the erotica--and seem to have an entirely different readership, many of whom probably wouldn't be there if they knew what else I wrote. In the mainstream, I write straight/literary (under two entirely different names--one for scholarly, one for light reading) and probably would lose readers if they knew I wrote erotica too.

I also write with a coauthor (Sabb), and we've gone to two names too--one high on the erotic content (Shabbu) and one on the barely erotic (Stephen Kessel). We're doing well in the e-book marketplace in both names, and don't particularly keep one persona secret from the other--but I suspect that our readers gravitate to one or the other depending on their own interests.

Bottom line, though, is that this is a personal choice of that author's I think. I do think that some of my straight writings would do better under a different pen name (the experimenting I've done with straight stories is that they rate better when it's not known I write GM too) than the one I write GM in--but I rather like readers knowing that I'll write across the board. (Except for my mainstream writing--I don't think it would be a help for them to know I write erotica too).

An interesting contrast, though. In the coauthored works, our "less erotic" e-books have all gone to category best-seller at ARE, whereas only one of our coauthored erotic ones has. However, for my own e-books, my nearly porn ones sell a whole lot better than my nearly nonerotic ones do. If a reviewer says that a book is "OK is you like that sort of stuff," it immediately sells big. (So, I'm supposing buyers "like that sort of stuff"--and thus I'll keep writing it.)

 

[Loring2]

Worth asking?

I've published one semi-highbrow story here. I'll publish more like it when I get the time to write them.

But now there's a story inside me that's real lowbrow. It's down, dirty, filthy, and foul. Possibly a crowd pleaser, as long as that crowd lives and breathes in the gutter, like me half the time. This nasty little story is begging to get out of the perverted side of my brain.

Is it best for me to write such sexy trash (but highly literate trash) under a different name? Should I have two authorial voices for two types of writing? Or just be one guy with "range?"

Does it matter? Is it worth asking?

Oh yes Jim it's worth asking but probably only of yourself. Personally I won't think any the less of you for writing a bit of trash here and there but since you've defined yourself by your profession (?) "professor_jim" I'm willing to wager that your vision of yourself is narrowed to being an intellectual

You use certain words in paragraph 2 that indicate your feeling of superiority over the people who prefer to read what you call trash but you use an adverbial phrase that tells me the most about you; that phrase being "(highly literate trash)".

I personally think the term is an oxymoron per se. How can it be both literate and trash simultaneously? Wink, wink ... , I suggest that you're telling me there's a difference between having sex and fucking. I think not.

Just be yourself PJ ... I'll bet that's plenty good and it isn't "range". Even the best of men have iniquitous thoughts and emotions because we circumscribe ourselves.

 

[TxRad]

I have over a hundred stories posted here. They range from smut for smuts sake to full novels. Sometimes you draw a wider range of readers if you lump it all together. I just try to keep the tone of the writing the same across the board.

The only time I've wanted to use a different name was in my Lesbian stories as I think a male name hurts the vote there somewhat.

 

[sr71plt]

(highly literate trash)".

I personally think the term is an oxymoron per se. How can it be both literate and trash simultaneously? Wink, wink ... , I suggest that you're telling me there's a difference between having sex and fucking. I think not.

I've been toying with trying to achieve just that. What I'd really like to see from the movie industry, for instance, is a slick, highly literary movie, with quite--QUITE--explicit sex (what many would call "trash"). And I sometimes go with attempting that in my writings.

 

[TxRad]

I've been toying with trying to achieve just that. What I'd really like to see from the movie industry, for instance, is a slick, highly literary movie, with quite--QUITE--explicit sex (what many would call "trash"). And I sometimes go with attempting that in my writings.

There was a Playboy photographer from the 70-80's that did just that. I can't remember her name but i did see some of her movies and they were excellent.

 

[bronzeage]

I've published one semi-highbrow story here. I'll publish more like it when I get the time to write them.

But now there's a story inside me that's real lowbrow. It's down, dirty, filthy, and foul. Possibly a crowd pleaser, as long as that crowd lives and breathes in the gutter, like me half the time. This nasty little story is begging to get out of the perverted side of my brain.

Is it best for me to write such sexy trash (but highly literate trash) under a different name? Should I have two authorial voices for two types of writing? Or just be one guy with "range?"

Does it matter? Is it worth asking?

The only reason I can imagine for multiple pen names is to protect some part of your private life.

I know of published (well paid) authors who wrote erotica under a pen name, just so their family would not know about it. That's a good enough reason.

In the Literotica world, I can see how it could matter.

 

[cloudy]

I post here under one name, and post stories under another (that doesn't post on the boards). There are several who do that simply to keep their stories from being trashed by people that they have disagreements with on the boards.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Though I've not written for a while I have posted stories under three names, plus a fourth, but it is combined name with the Darkness and was reserved for our Cherry Hill series.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Be a writer with range.

 

[professor_jim]

You use certain words in paragraph 2 that indicate your feeling of superiority over the people who prefer to read what you call trash but you use an adverbial phrase that tells me the most about you; that phrase being "(highly literate trash)".

I personally think the term is an oxymoron per se. How can it be both literate and trash simultaneously? Wink, wink ... , I suggest that you're telling me there's a difference between having sex and fucking. I think not.

Loring, I really don't have a feeling of superiority over people who like trash. I love trash. Love porn. Love smut. Love it all.

But when it comes to writing, I think that my most interesting efforts would draw from my experience as a Professor. My only story published here, "A Professor of Two Minds" (shameless plug, not that it matters), plays on the idea of the Professor who has to stand in front of all these attractive young people and lectures about dry topics, while at the same time he entertains all these pervy fantasies about the girls in class.

So no, I'm not superior to anyone. I love smut and I love porn. But I do prefer--if I have the choice--thoughtful, well-written smut and the kind of interesting porn that Split and TX mention here.

But believe me, I also like the normal raw and nasty fuck and suck vids and stories that most guys do. I just don't know if I'd be any good at creating it.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've been toying with trying to achieve just that. What I'd really like to see from the movie industry, for instance, is a slick, highly literary movie, with quite--QUITE--explicit sex (what many would call "trash"). And I sometimes go with attempting that in my writings.

OH yeah. But explicit sex scenes tend to ruin an acting career, which makes it difficult to find good acting- type actors for projects like that.

 

[sr71plt]

I post here under one name, and post stories under another (that doesn't post on the boards). There are several who do that simply to keep their stories from being trashed by people that they have disagreements with on the boards.

Doesn't wash. In Internet terms, these are two different personas (to begin with). Beyond that nine out of ten who say they do that are lying and trying for a free ride and unearned credit.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Doesn't wash. In Internet terms, these are two different personas (to begin with). Beyond that nine out of ten who say they do that are lying and trying for a free ride and unearned credit.

hahaha, credit!
What does credit mean on a free, amateur, site?

 

[sr71plt]

hahaha, credit!
What does credit mean on a free, amateur, site?

I don't know. Ask those who make this claim as Cloudy has.

In Cloudy's case, she changed her story--at first saying that she was a busy mom and didn't have time to post stories here. Then she pulled the stories (mostly essays) she had on here--and they hadn't been trashed when she did that. They were mostly registering H (in fact they were all suspiciously running H--which I always take as an indication of self-manipulation, as no can can maintain all Hs on stories here without a lot of personal effort to buck them up, I don't think); there just weren't many of them and they were old.

I don't for a minute believe she's posting stories here under another name that she doesn't use on the forum. So, claiming such is just a bunch of hooey, I think. And she would be the one to ask why it was an important enough point for her to assert it. rolleyes

Those who do so are just as likely doing it so they can attack other people's stories and be nasty on the forum without retribution. Neither one of which is a particularly noble past time.

This is the Internet. Each posting name used is isolated to that persona. It's a bunch of bunk to claim you are doing all sorts of other wonderful things and Web site dues paying in some other name that you won't link to. Just all part of the fantasy world that the Internet allows folks to play in.

 

[lance gt]

I write under two names. The reason is to keep the stories separate from each identity. Lance writes porn, pure and simple, my other writes more adventure/romance. I felt I wouldn't have my stories taken as seriously or as well received if I wrote them all under Lance GT.

 

[cloudy]

I don't know. Ask those who make this claim as Cloudy has.

In Cloudy's case, she changed her story--at first saying that she was a busy mom and didn't have time to post stories here. Then she pulled the stories (mostly essays) she had on here--and they hadn't been trashed when she did that. They were mostly registering H (in fact they were all suspiciously running H--which I always take as an indication of self-manipulation, as no can can maintain all Hs on stories here without a lot of personal effort to buck them up, I don't think); there just weren't many of them and they were old.

I don't for a minute believe she's posting stories here under another name that she doesn't use on the forum. So, claiming such is just a bunch of hooey, I think. And she would be the one to ask why it was an important enough point for her to assert it. rolleyes

Those who do so are just as likely doing it so they can attack other people's stories and be nasty on the forum without retribution. Neither one of which is a particularly noble past time.

This is the Internet. Each posting name used is isolated to that persona. It's a bunch of bunk to claim you are doing all sorts of other wonderful things and Web site dues paying in some other name that you won't link to. Just all part of the fantasy world that the Internet allows folks to play in.

I owe you no explanation and no proof. You're the one who always claims I don't post stories. There are a few (two or three) who know my posting name.

I honestly don't give a shit whether you believe me or not. *shrug* You're just not that important to me, but I'm obviously that important to you, since you post virtually the same thing, almost word for word, consistently and constantly.

Oh, and...two out of nineteen doesn't mean "mostly" in anyone's book, but thanks for caring.

Have a good night.

(the fact that you think no one else is a decent writer but you is hilarious. You even said once that you'd read something of mine and that it was well-written, so thanks for the smile)

 

[sr71plt]

I owe you no explanation and no proof. You're the one who always claims I don't post stories. There are a few (two or three) who know my posting name.

I honestly don't give a shit whether you believe me or not. *shrug* You're just not that important to me, but I'm obviously that important to you, since you post virtually the same thing, almost word for word, consistently and constantly.

Have a good night.

(oh, and the fact that you think no one else is a decent writer but you is hilarious. Thanks for the smile)

No, you don't owe me any proof. But when I think you are full of crap, I'll say so. I think you're full of crap, Cloudy.

I think that you won't post stories under your forum name because you don't want authors to do to you what you do to them. That's what I think.

It's true, I'm consistent in this message--unlike you who sometimes say my stories are trash and at other times say you've never read one.

The crack that I don't think anyone else is a decent writer here is also crap. I've even complimented one of your essays on this forum--and you have no foundation for saying that I have trashed everyone's work but my own here. And your posting so is typical of your posting style (and is fundamental to your being afraid that your stories will be trashed if you post under the Cloudy name).

Can't have it both ways, Cloudy.

 

[cloudy]

No, you don't owe me any proof. But when I think you are full of crap, I'll say so. I think you're full of crap, Cloudy.

I think that you won't post stories under your forum name because you don't want authors to do to you what you do to them. That's what I think.

It's true, I'm consistent in this message--unlike you who sometimes say my stories are trash and at other times say you've never read one.

The crack that I don't think anyone else is a decent writer here is also crap. I've even complimented one of your essays on this forum--and you have no foundation for saying that I have trashed everyone's work but my own here. And your posting so is typical of your posting style (and is fundamental to your being afraid that your stories will be trashed if you post under the Cloudy name).

Can't have it both ways, Cloudy.

You're just absolutely fascinated with me, aren't you?



btw: I've consistently said I've never read anything of yours. Gay male just doesn't interest me. Sorry.

 

[sr71plt]

btw: I've consistently said I've never read anything of yours. Gay male just doesn't interest me. Sorry.

No, you haven't. On three occasions you've posted that my writing is trash. It's in the archives for anyone who wishes to look it up. Just another lie of yours.

And as far as what I write, I have three times the number of straight stories posted here that you ever posted to Lit. under the Cloudy name.

 

[cloudy]

No, you haven't. On three occasions you've posted that my writing is trash. It's in the archives for anyone who wishes to look it up. Just another lie of yours.

And as far as what I write, I have three times the number of straight stories posted here that you ever posted to Lit. under the Cloudy name.

Look it up then, darling, and prove it.

Forgive me if I don't wait. I have out of town guests, and have things to do, and people to see...or it may be the other way around.

Whichever way it is....have at it. Prove me a liar, if you can, and if you so choose to spend your evening that way.

I have life to live.

Have fun.

 

[sr71plt]

Look it up then, darling, and prove it.

To quote you, I don't have to prove it to you. It's there--and I repeated it back to you each time, so anyone who wants to look it up can (eventually) find it--the references are buried, of course, because, happily, you haven't been spitting your venom on the forum much of late.

It's enough for me that both I and you know you are lying about it.

 

[professor_jim]

Errr....

Anyway, back to the thread.

Any other thoughts on writing under two names would be appreciated!

 

[Darkniciad]

I'd say that it's going to boil down to "That's something only you can answer" *laugh*

Are you concerned that your smut stories will reflect badly upon the deeper ones and dissapoint the readership that you've already established? Just how concerned about it are you, if that's the case?

Once you start posting down-n-dirty tales, are you worried that those readers will get upset when you 'waste their time' with all that plot, character development, and other stuff that doesn't involve grinding body parts when you choose to write something deeper?

Are you considering writing in "risky" categories that you think might make your established readership go "ewwww!" when you post them?

It's going to come down to whether you want to keep your readership separated to some degree, or whether you want to maximize your exposure to new readers, regardless of their preference of smut vs. story. Multiple pen names leans toward the first, while a single name certainly points toward the second.