Envy Red

Aspiring authors always ask "should I use a pen name?" Well I hate to report but there is no magic answer to this age old question. The key is to be memorable. Therefore, you must do what works for you. In my opinion if your name is common, chances are you just may be lost in the sauce of the million other "Danielle's" of the world. Unless of course you are Danielle Steele. Her name is a household commodity and is synonymous with the term "bestseller". However, don't get me wrong. It does not just take a strong name to sell a book. For these purposes we are assuming the book is great!

Whether or not to use a pen name was the dilemma I faced when embarking on my literary journey. I knew my name was common so I wanted something that I could brand and set myself apart from others in my field.  I wanted it to be short enough to remember yet easily associated with something memorable. In addition, the key for me was to also make it catchy with a bit of an edge to say the least. To me, pen names should be a conversation piece. So far "Envy Red" has done just that.

People often ask "what does it mean or how did you come up with that name?" The conversation takes off from there. Even if I don't sell a book right then, I have successfully implanted myself in their psyche which could lead to future opportunities. Those opportunities may not necessarily be tangible direct sells but something a bit more powerful. I like to call it free flights or word of mouth!

Another question of debate is whether or not to have different pen names depending on the genre you are writing or if multiple pen names are necessary period? Some do so in an effort to have multiple publishing contracts while others do so to separate their work in the minds of varying readers. Again, the answer is you must assess your goals and do what is right for you. The magical art form to choosing a pen name lies with you. As an author, you are the writer of your destiny so like any other area of the business don't just take it from me, do your own research. Happy writing!

~Envy Red

Raging emotions dance

Like a deadly cloud

Through rocky terrain

On sleepless stormy nights 

You got me twisted

Captivates my mind

Torments my soul

Imprisons my body

True intentions unfold

Sample my insanity 

As revelations give birth

To a new you 

Have you ever read a book by an author and been left questioning the author's sanity? Often times you read a novel and the crazy factor is beyond your normal threshold leaving you questioning what is going on in the author's mind. I have gotten that a lot with my new release Jaded. Many have asked how it was possible for me to write so candidly yet be sane in my own mind? There is no cut and dry answer to this question but since I get it a lot, I thought I would take a crack at it.

As many of you now know Jaded was written as a book that carried over a few characters from my freshman novel "Touch," yet can stand alone as it is very detailed and lacks the erotic element.  It tells the tale of a woman in her upper 30's who has been committed to a mental institution for the criminally insane as a result of killing numerous people, 16 to be exact! In the book she is having nightmares of a disturbing childhood. One must determine if it is in fact her true roots or one she conjured up in her mind. In order to stay true to the characters mental state I wrote the book in a combination of 1st and third person. The dreams are italicized so there is no confusion about the flashbacks. Her reflections, both past and present, are written in the first person so the reader is able to journey into her mind and feel her emotions. The chapters regarding her therapist, love interest, and all other outside parties is written in third person so the reader is not left questioning the truths in their journey with Jade.

So am I crazy? At first glance when reading "Jaded," I won't lie you may be left to ponder that question. I like to think of it as an out of body experience that was not met without some level of difficulty. At times when writing the novel I had to set it aside and revisit it a few days later. It was not for lack of words, writers block, but instead due to the rollercoaster of emotions these characters took me on. I did research to some degree on mental illness but I had to really wrestle with my take on a warped mind. The result was pouring my all into the character I call Jade and really allowing myself to feel torn. The same holds true with Dr. Deruth and Devine especially. I had to narrate their feelings and actions in a way that let the reader know they too had to struggle with this scenario while dealing with their own lives as many of us are constantly faced with. We must bear the burdens of our loved ones while pushing on with our own self struggles.

When doing a sanity check I would say as a sane person I accomplished writing an insane book. If one is left to question my sanity, I take that as a compliment because it means the book had the impact I was striving for. In writing this book I want to give you a different read that is filled with thought provoking situations that may help you or someone you know who may have found themselves in at least one of the scenarios presented in the book to some degree.  Even if one has not had the experience I would hope that they can emphatize and understand its relevance. There are many suffering out here with childhood trauma, mental illness, domestic situations, parenting dilemmas, family drama, and so much more. Jaded embodies and embraces that struggle. It is my contribution to those unheard voices, entertaining yet informative in its own right.

Get Jaded with me! Enjoy! 

If you haven't heard the news, I have signed on to write a column in Black Literature Magazine. I will be posting articles on various literature topics starting this Monday 9/19/2011. Feel free to leave feedback and suggestions on how I can make this journey better for you as the reader. As always join me on my new network Author's Info where I will be posting a preview to the topic, requesting feedback, and getting your insight to better push the dialogue in the direction that is most important to you, the reader. Happy reading and don't forget the power of those Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads etc reviews. For new authors especially it provides a platform to advance to the next level of writing for you! Without it, opportunities to better serve such as this may not arise. Much love! 

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