What's in a name?

This morning I woke up and began reading Anne of Green Gables. In it is a very talkative little girl, who if she doesn't like the name of something she imagines a new name for it. For some reason this set me off- names. The book was written by M. Montgomery. So I started to wonder: if i were an author would I use my real name or a pseudonym? What makes a person use a pseudonym? Is it fear of pride? Do they not want their next door neighbor know they are an incredibly famous author that has sold millions of copies and been on the NYTimes bestseller list dozens of times? But then if you do author under your real name, is it because you do want the glory? It all became very confusing in this morning's light.

I decided if I wrote a book, my author name would be Dana Lee. It is half pseudonym and half real name. My name. Well, that is a story all in itself. When I was born, my name was Amber Lee Dana. (But that only came after I wasn't born on my due date of Dec. 25th and had the name Holly Noel. That is a kid's worst nightmare right there.) So for the first three months of life, I went by Amber. Meanwhile, I have a cousin named Rickey. My grandpa didn't like that because its a boy's name. So, after three months of this other name, my mom decided I wasn't an Amber but a Randi and my name was changed. The picture of the name change: my birth certificate says Amber crossed out and Randi typed in above it. How official does that look? And so I joined the boy's name club. (Recently I found out my mom had an ex-boyfriend named Randy. I don't think I feel good about that.)

However, to throw into the mix is the fact that my last name is Dana. A first name. So, I am forever going by either Randi or Dana because nobody can get it right. (Except when have you ever seen Randi as a last name? I don't get the confusion.) At least my new pseudonym would carry on the confusing tradition.

Randi. Once i read up on my name in a book my sister has. It tells all about names based on the first three letters in the name. So there I was listed with Randal (a nickname of mine, but don't even get me started on hiding behind nicknames too.) Anyways, the book was right on!! Scarily accurate. Randi I am meant to be. However, this is a secret fear of mine... with a first name of Randi, I feel I can never go to England. How can I approach someone and say, "Hi, I'm Randi"? Its never gonna work out. Farewell London trip of my dreams. UNLESS!! I use my new pseudonym!!