So I Am In Need Of A Pen Name

[Thunderfist12]

What the title says. Basically, I'm about to start writing my book today, but I still haven't come up with a believable pen name that is to my liking.

Something that sounds like an author of fantasy/dystopia books would fit well, especially one that sounds Norse, Celtic, or just plain awesome.

Thank you in advance,

Thunderfist12

[Elemental]

Can't think of anything else, but you might be able to do something with the name Taranis. It's Celtic and awesome.

[Morph Bark]

Why do you want to use a pen name, rather than your real name?

A reason for it is perhaps the most important part about it. Most writers I know of that have used pen names have used alterations of their real name, and it is what I would do. (Primarily so that it'd at least be readable by native English speakers.)

[Thunderfist12]

Can't think of anything else, but you might be able to do something with the name Taranis. It's Celtic and awesome.

That. Is. Cool.:smallcool:

By the way, would that be pronounced ter-AN-is or TARE-in-is?

But, as usual, still seeing if there are any other suggestions.

[Thunderfist12]

Why do you want to use a pen name, rather than your real name?

A reason for it is perhaps the most important part about it. Most writers I know of that have used pen names have used alterations of their real name, and it is what I would do. (Primarily so that it'd at least be readable by native English speakers.)

Because I don't like my last name. At all.

I could use my first name with a false last name, however...

[Elemental]

That. Is. Cool.:smallcool:

By the way, would that be pronounced ter-AN-is or TARE-in-is?

But, as usual, still seeing if there are any other suggestions.

No idea. Though I assume the stress is on the first syllable as it comes from the word "taran" which was an old Celtic word for thunder. In any case, you can pronounce it however you want to.

[Thunderfist12]

No idea. Though I assume the stress is on the first syllable as it comes from the word "taran" which was an old Celtic word for thunder. In any case, you can pronounce it however you want to.

That sounds about right.

[warty goblin]

Worry about the name after you have the book. One of these is a lot harder than the other; and is only needful conditional on the completion of the first.

[Axiomatic]

Your first name should be Nils. Your surname...how do you feel about Magnusson?

[Thunderfist12]

Nils is literally one letter off from my real name, so probably not.

Magnusson might work, though.

The combination Tharanis Magnusson is a bit long, though. I might need to change one of those.

[Axiomatic]

Nils is literally one letter off from my real name, so probably not.

Really? Oh wow, that's amazing.

EDIT: You probably shouldn't mix a celtic first name with a swedish surname anyway.

[BWR]

Why not?
I mean, if someone can call himself Engelbert Humperdinck...

[Dallas-Dakota]

Penny Pencilman.....

Oh....

You wanted a believable pen name....

[Savannah]

Write the book, sell it to a publisher, then ask their advice on names. I'm quite sure they know what names are most likely to sell well (just ask J. K. Rowling :smallannoyed:).

[McStabbington]

MST3K has a few suggestions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFHlJ2voJHY). Like Bob Johnson!

[Coidzor]

Nils is literally one letter off from my real name, so probably not.

Magnusson might work, though.

The combination Tharanis Magnusson is a bit long, though. I might need to change one of those.

T. Magnusson on the other hand... :smallamused:

[The Extinguisher]

I would read any book written by anyone named Thunderfist, so there's that.

[TaiLiu]

I recommend Doctor Doomblood!

Just... Just pretend it's of Norse origin.

[The Witch-King]

That. Is. Cool.:smallcool:

By the way, would that be pronounced ter-AN-is or TARE-in-is?

But, as usual, still seeing if there are any other suggestions.

http://www.forvo.com/word/taranis/

[GoblinArchmage]

Stop procrastinating, and start writing the damn book.

[Creed]

Steve Thunderfist. :smalltongue:

In all seriousness, though, how about Balder Kriez?

['Neath the Moon]

Remember, the middle initials "R.R." will bring you to great places.

Now, that said, Germano-Nordo-Celtic names...

Edrik, Ulfrik, Torvald, Heinrich, Asbjorn, Torbjorn, Bjorn, Bjarn, Bodvar, Grimnir, Fenrir, Fafnir, Ragnar, Edvard, Karl, Viglaf, Finn (both Nordic and Celtic,) Finbar, Gwydion, Taliesin, and Vortigern (one of my favorites.)

Most of those are Norse (or pseudo-Norse, I may have misremembered or made up some, or taken the names from Skyrim,) but a few are Irish or Welsh.

[Axiomatic]

You have to go the extra mile. Three R's as your middle initials.

Edric R. R. R. Magnusson.

[Cespenar]

You have to go the extra mile. Three R's as your middle initials.

Edric R. R. R. Magnusson.

No, no, that sounds... desperate. You need to give it your own twist. Like... Ps instead of Rs, for example. Edric P. P. Magnusson.

[Morph Bark]

Just as long as you don't use any of my names. :smalltongue:

/has 7 initials

[Iruka]

Nils is literally one letter off from my real name, so probably not.

Magnusson might work, though.

The combination Tharanis Magnusson is a bit long, though. I might need to change one of those.

Your name is Pils?

I always liked the word "svartálfar".

[Aurenthal]

How about Rich Burlew, it has certain ring of greatness!

[Jaycemonde]

Jason T. [Taranis] Magnusson.
Alternately, J. T. Magnusson.

[Jay R]

You do not need a pen name the day you start writing your book. You need a pen name the day you finish writing your book.

[Evandar]

Pen names are cool though, and what is life without coolness? Boring.

I favor Doomblood.

[Jay R]

By the time you finish your book, you will have a much better idea of what its author's name should be than when you start.

In researching character names, you will quite possibly find one you really like, and can't use in the book.

[Thunderfist12]

So many names...

Ragnar T. Eiriksson, I'm thinking now. With the T being Taranis.

Or Taranis Thunderfist.:smallbiggrin:

Also, no, my name isn't Pils. Guess again.

[Ridureyu]

I actually have a reason to want a pen name. See, I am related to somebody who writes Christian theology - and I do not want to hurt his reputation with urban fantasy/vampire fiction (http://nanowrimo.org/participants/ridureyu/novels), nor do I want him to hurt mine. We write in 100% different fields, so "John Morey" just might not be good.

What should I do?

[TaiLiu]

I favor Doomblood.
Yes! (No further words necessary.)

[Jay R]

I actually have a reason to want a pen name. See, I am related to somebody who writes Christian theology - and I do not want to hurt his reputation with urban fantasy/vampire fiction (http://nanowrimo.org/participants/ridureyu/novels), nor do I want him to hurt mine. We write in 100% different fields, so "John Morey" just might not be good.

What should I do?

Finish the book, find a publisher, and ask for your editor's advice. He or she will have a lot more experience about what sells that the Playground does.

[GoblinArchmage]

How about Richard Head? Or Benjamin Dover?

[Aliquid]

Why not?
I mean, if someone can call himself Engelbert Humperdinck...

And his name was originally Arnold Dorsey.... he decided on the stage name Engelbert Humperdinck, and he built a huge fan following...

[Crow]

Johnny Hardcore

[Pie Guy]

Clearly the answer is BRAD THOR.

[AtlanteanTroll]

You do not need a pen name the day you start writing your book. You need a pen name the day you finish writing your book.

This. This so hard. A pen name should be the absolute last thing on your mind.

[bluewind95]

I honestly don't see the harm in finding a pen name before he starts writing, so long as he doesn't hold off writing until he finds his perfect pen name.

[Crow]

I honestly don't see the harm in finding a pen name before he starts writing, so long as he doesn't hold off writing until he finds his perfect pen name.

Yeah, so when his book gets turned down he can tell himself, "Oh man, rejected. That must be hard for Johnny Hardcore. But I'm sure he'll pull through and nail the next one!"