Why write under a pen name?

  1. To write with freedom, unbound by any previous narratives of who you are, what you do or what you’ve done.
  2. To write without fear of judgement or reprisal from friends, colleagues, loved ones and former lovers.
  3. To be judged on the writing, and only the writing. Without prejudgements, be they positive or negative, based on other aspects or previous parts of your life.
  4. To separate this work from your former work, be that a career in espionage, drug-trafficking, or the writing of romance novels.
  5. To find out if it makes a difference. Many greats have been born this way, after all.