(*also known as...)

I was thinking about identity (as you do) and whether people have different personae to match their alternate names/identities or not.

The very fact I call myself Suzee in cyber, but freely admit it is not my 'given' name once led to an accusation of dishonesty. When I admitted to Suzee being a pename, assumptions about my 'intentions' were made.

As a writer of spanking stuff I try to be honest, but compartmentalise my life for the privacy of myself and others and to be appropriate in other areas of my life. That said, while Suzee reflects an aspect of me, she is fully me. I don't give 'her' thoughts, ideas or a lifestyle that are separate or different from mine.

When I've met people who first encountered me in cyber, I always tell them my everyday name. Interestingly, some seem to think of me as Suzee, and continue to use the name anyway.

I realise that some people have fun inventing a new persona to go with their alternative name and can see that would be entertaining, it's just not something I've done. I do write stories in first person, but I don't invent alternative Suzees outside fiction.

Of course having an alias behind which one can hide does allow one to be playful or experimental and I can see that as useful and realise that it is probably something I do. I think it's rather like meeting a new group of people for the first time and presenting oneself as one chooses without a load of labels readily attached - not as someone else, but choosing the bits to show and emphasise.

And of course here in cyber and Blogland some people wish or need to say things and protecting their identity is important. We are all aware I guess of the cases where bloggers have lost their jobs.