Using a Blogging Pseudonym

Recently I had one of my Twitter followers make a tweet that said "Why do people blog under an assumed name - it's just wrong - learned that today."  Well there were other issues with this follower so apparently she isn't following me anymore not by her choice but that is another story.  Anyway, her comment could not be more wrong if she tried.  There is absolutely nothing wrong or immoral or unethical about blogging using a pseudonym.  A large number of bloggers blog under an assumed name.  There are many, many reasons one may want to write using a pseudonym.  When done properly the pseudonym (assumed name) becomes as much part of the blog as the blog itself. 

The concept of writing under an alias or pseudonym is definitely not a new concept.  It has been a widely accepted practice in the literary world likely dating back as far as writing on scrolls.  Pseudonyms were used to hide gender and/or station when writing.  So the precedence was set well before blogging came to be.  I read about a female blogger who wasn't achieving the success she wanted so she took on a male persona and her blog took off.  The reality of blogging is the only one who knows your real name is your blogging host providing you gave them your real name and not a generic John Doe name.  The copyright remains with the author whether or not they are writing under a pseudonym providing there is an established link between the author's name and pseudonym but that can all be done behind the scenes. 

Garden Gnome
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