Another writer trait (I forgot during the Thirteener Thursday)

I forgot one very big author trait yesterday during the Thirteener Thursday. I say author, not writer, because it's pertaining to our pen names. Those authors who use pen names, often sign their pseudonyms more than their given names (moi, at least). I think we're regular Sybils, with split personalities. You've probably guessed by now that Ashley is not the name my mother gave me. It's the name I've given me. I sign "Ashley" and lately, even "Ash" more than my given name. When I hear someone call "Ashley", my ears perk up and my head jerks up. Soon, I'm sure, I'll answer aloud - probably more than I answer to my name. On the other hand, there's more than one of me (ladies with my given name) in my department at the day job. Since my dopple ganger is called so often, I've become desensitized to my real name and usually don't respond when it's called. I like the name "Ashley" better than my given name. Sorry, Mom. Maybe we should be allowed to name ourselves. As a kid, I always wished I could choose my own name. I was never thrilled with my given name although I've come to terms with it. However, I like it better than my mom's second choice, so it could be worse. Getting to choose our own name is a definite perk of being an author. If I had it to do over (choosing my own pen name), I'd probably pick a different last name. But now I'm known as Ashley Ladd and have several books published under this name, so it's now my name. This is a really funny blog that had a really hilarious tongue in cheek Thirteen on Thursday yesterday. If you want some laughs, check it out. Dane Bramage: Thursday Thirteen #77