I'm sure you all realize Celeste Jones isn't my real name. In fact, I rarely say the name out loud and only occasionally will my husband call me Celeste.
So, imagine the awkward moment when I was waiting in line for a taxi from the airport and I asked the two nice ladies behind me (Kacey Hamill and JoAnne Kendrick, two new friends) if I could share a cab with them. Once they'd eyed me and decided I was harmless (this was before I wore my clothes backward) they introduced themselves.
I went blank. Do I give them my real name? My first name? I was there as author Celeste Jones, but I'd never introduced myself that way before.
Guess what? I stammered and hemmed and hawed and finally said "I'm Celeste. I, uh...write kinky stories."
They still let me in the cab with them.
For the next several days I was known as Celeste. At first I continued the stammering introduction, but eventually I got used to it and even gave people the cards I had printed with the Spanking Stories Book Club logo.
How about you? Have you ever said "Hello, my name is [insert pen name or spanking blogger identity]"?
How did it feel?
Were you calm, cool, and collected or did you stammer and blush?
Only in blog land- phone conversations.... Sometimes I stammer!! Lol
ReplyDeleteI had you pegged as calm cool and collected in all situations. Go figure. :)
DeleteYou shared your cab with my buddies! How funny that the two groups I ran back and forth between all week crossed at the airport. Aren't they wonderful?
ReplyDeleteYes! They mentioned (bragged, I'm sure!) that they knew you so I said I did too and felt really like one of the cool kids. We did not fight over you, but if the ride had been longer, I think we might have. :)
DeleteI've never introduced myself as PK, but when I went to Las Vegas with Leigh Smith, she called me PK without thinking several times. It's felt pretty good. It's like your super hero name!
ReplyDeleteSuper Hero! I love it!
DeleteSo add into the mix a roller derby name and I never have any idea what I'm supposed to tell people my name is. I'm insanely frightened I am going to introduce myself as Casey to someone one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI had a pen name for a number of years. I only time I had to introduce myself by my pen name was when I did a radio program interview for my books. It felt *very* weird. But then I kinda got used to it. I still think it's a cool name. I might name a houseplant after myself.
ReplyDeleteAshe Barker is not my real name either. I have two email accounts and have to keep reminding myself what name to sign at the end of messages. Same with Facebook - I have to be careful to log on with the right account. It wouldn't be a disaster if I muddled the two up, but as a rural parish councilor it's best not to start spouting about erotic fiction on my village website. I did some media interviews a little while back and had to remember to answer to Ashe not Anne. It keeps me on my toes.
ReplyDeleteI made the mistake of sharing a Celeste blog post on my "real" me Facebook account. I had a complete freak out and deleted my personal FB account. I haven't really missed it either. But, my heart still pounds when I think about seeing that post on my timeline.
DeleteHi Celeste, I don't think I have ever introduced myself as Roz, other than in blogland, email or chat. Had to giggle at PK's super hero name. Love it! LoL
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
I've recently become a part of the kink community event wise and go by my screen name on Fet so introducing myself as Adaline is cake. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had fun! Did it become more natural after the weekend?
yes, it did. I didn't feel very comfortable handing out my cards, but that's mostly because it just seemed pushy and there was so much of that happening, it sort of turned me off. But wearing a nametag helped too.
DeleteI don't think I've introduced myself as Natasha in real life. When Renee visited, I kept calling her Renee but she was good about calling me by my real name with my kids around. I can totally see it being weird but also a little freeing...
ReplyDeleteI felt more comfortable calling everyone by their Super Hero (thanks, PK) names than real names because that's how I think of them.
DeleteLOL, I can relate. One of the first authors I ran into was Ava Stone, a Regency author whose work I love and with whom I have had some online contact. I introduced myself on the elevator and got a polite but blank look in response--and then I realized I had used my real name. It takes a while to get into the role.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny. Did you find her again and re-introduce yourself?
ReplyDeleteI've stumbled a few times introducing myself as Sue. Not to mention signing the wrong name on my books! At least Susan is really close. If I could go back and choose my pen name all over again, I'd just go with Susan to make it easier. I was actually nervous about what to call you and Cara when I met you - it's weird to think of you guys by your real names.
ReplyDelete"They still let me in the cab with them." LOL! Love that! My real name isn't Kira Barcelo, either (though Barcelo is my paternal grandmother's maiden name). Never used it yet, but I hope I handle the first time as gracefully as you did, Celeste! :D
ReplyDelete