QUESTION:

Can you become your pen name?

I was at an open for inspection the other day, looking for a new house to rent. As you might have read elsewhere, here they ask to see ID. And they record your name.

"Elise Anton," I answered on cue and wandered in.

Dyls pulled me up. "Did you hear what you just said?"

"What?" (Distracted counting bedrooms...)

"You called yourself Elise, mum."

"What?" (Now he had my full attention!) "No I didn't!" (And my indignation!)

"You did!"

Reflecting afterwards... I was shocked, really. "Elise" had apparently rolled off my tongue subconsciously- same as I automatically respond with "You're welcome" to anyone thanking me.

Had I, in the space of eighteen months become her? I write as Elise, I respond online as Elise and Social Media knows me as Elise... Am I then Elise now?

I like Elise. Not just the name- which btw is not far removed from my real one. I like her! She's far more productive and far more gracious than the she she shields...

(I've even seriously given thought to changing my name- legally!)

Seems I have indeed become my pen name.

Do you use a pen name and if so, have you ever been in a situation where you believed you were IT?