A writer on Associated Content wrote an article about the Pros and Cons of Writing Under a Pseudonym on the Internet. I whole heartedly agree with by Tsu Dho Nimh,the writer. In addition to this writer being correct about the importance of guarding our real identity, I have to add the importance of guarding our image I the internet. I recently not only removed my name from my Associated Content website, but I also removed my face.

I realized there might be a problem with having my name on the internet when I wrote a series of articles on children’s pageants, followed by an article on public breastfeeding. Many people wanted to know more, and others wanted to send me personal “thank you” notes. They were sent to every email address I had. This means they looked up my name and got personal information on me. This left me with two choices.

1. Sensor my writing so that it agrees with the mainstream, so as not to aggravate anyone.
2. Use a pseudonym and avatar on my Associated Content and other writing.

I chose the former. It is hard enough coming up with 10 – 20 ideas for articles off the cuff without eliminating some of my choices to be politically correct. This is about money, and writing what comes natural to me, not satisfying every Tom, Dick, and Sally.

Associated Content is not my main income stream, but it is my secondary income stream. I depend on the money I have made here to put clothes on my kid’s backs and to put food on the table. I am not going to let the notes of a couple of crazies to stop me from making money.

Just as I do not feel I can use my name on my all of my articles, I feel compelled to stop using my face. It is a good thing I can draw so I could sketch up a quick self-portrait to put next to my new pseudonym. It looks a little like me, but to people who know me; it would take a good long stare before they realized it is I. However, why would I hide my image from people who can recognize it, you might ask. The answer is because I can write my more freely when I am not worried about family member, clergy, or clients, being ticked off and alienating me.

Perhaps one day, I will claim my writing as my own, but as for now, while I am just starting out, I prefer to be an animation of my real self.

oh by the way, my associated content page is here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/join.html?refer=408