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First off, I believe a name shouldn’t matter. After all, there are companies named ‘Apple‘ or the Dutch website ‘Bol.’ I think if your branding is strong enough, then the name itself matters little.
Nicknames
I’ve always used a different name on the internet than my real name. So much so, it surprises me when I receive an e-mail nowadays addressing me with my real name. Or when one of my real-life friends addresses me with my real name via chat. When I first joined chat-groups in the nineties, I also used ‘Liz.’ I remember how I joined an IRC-channel for the first time, and the group was like: ‘Hey, Liz, great to see you again. How’ve you been?’ From that moment on, I joined that channel under a different name.
Elisabeth
As you may have guessed: yes, it’s from Elisabeth. Since there are 348,000 people with this name in The Netherlands, I think that’s safe to admit. Someone I admire from my family is named ‘Elisabeth.’
De Zwart
And why Black? Well, as a kid, I did many pretend-plays. One name I often chose for myself was ‘De Zwart,’ which roughly translates to “Black’ as last name. I have no explanation for this. I don’t know if I picked it up somewhere from a book or television show. But when I was looking for a writer’s name in 2006, I thought it sounded nice.
X
I added the X because, well, I could buy that domain. www.lizblack.com was already taken, and I thought the X would make a nice addition for an erotica writer.
Satisfied?
And now, am I happy with it? Nah, not really. The name is kinda bland and less unique or memorable than I would have liked. But since it’s linked to my audiobooks, it’s tough to change it now. And people know and recognise me with it, so it’s getting more and more impossible to change. And I guess what I said in the beginning still counts: as long as your branding is on point, the name itself doesn’t really matter. So yes, I’m an erotica writer; pleasure to meet you; my name is Liz BlackX
Yep..the X makes it definitely and adult blog and its classier than XXX 😉
Yes, you’re absolutely right 😊
It bugs the hell out of me I need to mark my site as NSFW and ‘pornography,’ while I don’t even mention sex that often. In my stories too, I often skim over the sex scenes themselves, because I find them boring. The ‘getting there’ part is way more interesting 😅
I love the way you have come to your pen name, and I just love your pen name, especially that little X at the end, which I always think of as a kiss 😉
~ Marie xox
That’s a nice interpretation, hadn’t even thought of it. I have always signed my cards and written notes with -x- 😄
So, gradually, the invented name is mentioned more and more and pretends to be real.
Yes, isn’t it fascinating?
As each day goes by I become more like May than the previous day – I am May More and you are Liz BlackX
I didn’t know you have audio book out! will check it out
May xx
How interesting it was to see how you evolved into Liz BlackX – I agree the X on the end gives it that adult twist, a bit of mystery. I am at the stage now (as I said in a recent interview) where if I was walking down the street, or in a crowded room and someone shouted “Hey Posy” I would definitely turn round. Posy is definitely a valid facet of the real me.
I wonder sometimes if I would respond to the name ‘Liz,’ since it’s mostly in writing I converse with the name. But I do respond to it when I see it in subtitles or somewhere else 🙂
I understand the importance of a pen name but as an erotica artist it’s not just about protecting my privacy but my name is also part of my artistic expression.