In the September issue of Washingtonian magazine, there is a story about the relationship between fathers and (grown) daughters. I was interviewed for that months ago, and it’s finally been printed. I filled out a survey online and then received a phone call asking asking for an in person interview. Although I asked that my real name not be used, I could tell what portions were my story. It was a great article and I enjoyed being a part of it.
People ask me sometimes how come I don’t use my real name when I blog, or for certain situations like that article. They point out the fact that I have accounts on MySpace, Facebook, and Friendster – which has my information all over it…but that I don’t want my real name used for something like an article or on my blog. Perhaps they have a point.
But the reason I never have my real name on my blog is because I don’t want it to ever be traced back to me. Especially from a professional standpoint. I mean, unless I start getting paid to blog (haha), I’m not giving up my privacy. (Besides, enough of you know all too much about the “real” me!) I don’t want future jobs to be able to Google my name and come up with a blog I wrote about my sex life or what I look for in a man. Yeah, no thanks.
A good benefit to blogging (at least for me) IS the anonymity. You don’t have to worry about what you say and who you may be offending. And, if you do offend someone, who cares because they don’t really know you.
I guess it does kind of suck, when I’m occasionally mentioned on DC Blogs or even the Express, to not be able to share it with everyone. Sometimes it does make me wish that my real name was attached with my writing. But, I know it’s for the best that it’s not.
What are your reasons for or against using your real name?
