Why Some Writers Hide Under The Veil Of Anonymity

Whenever people ask me why I hide under the veil of anonymity using false name, dummy social network accounts and all, I always tell them “I want to separate my life from my writing.” Meaning yes, my life is so boring that I created another world for myself where I can do the thing that I love the most--to write, as I don’t want my life to be associated to the things I write while at the same time I write about my life..

Say what? Don’t ask me I don’t understand what I just said.

Truth is, never in my wildest dream that I thought someone would ever spare their time to go through the hardship of unveiling the woman (I am a woman, news flash) behind those words--meaning stalking, I just made it sound beautiful I guess. Who would be curious enough to wonder what do I look like and from where on this planet I am currently living. Not on Mars, though sometimes I dream of living there. Sometimes, when I am so done with people living on Earth, but I don’t think I have a choice, for I am, also a human.

Just plain curiosity? Maybe. Or maybe they don’t have anything to do.

Curiosity killed the cat. Just so you know.

Why am I writing this?

While it’s true that I can’t speak up for all the writers doing this---hiding their real identity using a pseudonym--for they have their own reasons as to why they chose to-maybe some of the things I’ll mention can relate to them. For curious readers as well.

Why hide under pseudonym?

Shy. Yes, for the simple reason that these writers are shy. Most writers are introverts, I think that is a given fact. People who writes their innermost thoughts rarely speaks up what they feel so when all else fails? Yes, they put it into writing. Sometimes pen bleeds words more than the mouth can do and for someone who knows how to write-only, instead of saying it, writing serves as their lifeline..for without it, they are nothing. I think that is the reason why writers who’ve experienced writer’s block felt terrified whenever it strikes because what is the scariest thing that could ever happen to a writer? When they can no longer hear their own thoughts.

Free of Judgement.  It does not really mean they won’t be judged at all, you don’t have a control over this because we are living in this world where people seemed to judge so easily as if they’ve got no dirt hiding underneath their nails..as if no skeleton was lurking in their closet. So why stress yourself for the things you can’t control. Oftentimes a writer is judged by the way he looks, his race, social status and the way he is living his life. Why so, beats me because as far as I am concern, no one has the right to judge anyone based on these things, a silly matter if you ask me. So for less drama, they just chose to hide. Afraid to be judged? I don’t think so. just don’t have the energy to deal with these kind of people.

They are protecting not just themselves butsomeone they care about. Be it fiction or not, writers based their stories to the people around them. To those people whom they care about, some who made a great impact in their life, those who made them happy, those who hurt them, whom they fall in love with and those who broke their hearts so they do this to protect them. (because sometimes these people doesn’t have any slightest idea that someone actually wrote for them) So be careful and do not fall in love with a writer. They can put you up in a pedestal with their sweet, flowery and heartfelt emotion using pen and paper now and the next day they’ll dig up your grave by merely using words as a tool to do so. Or more like, don’t break a writer’s heart---not unless you want to read how detailed they want to kill you sometimes they can be a little psychopaths if you urge them---to be more accurate.

They don’t need to be recognized. Believe it or not, some writers doesn’t want to be recognized. They don’t need the fame, they just want to write their hearts out. Yes, they appreciate the readers, who are you trying to kid if you say you don’t care about it.But, you might have started this journey solely writing for yourself but as time passes by you’ll feel you want to reach out, for someone who’d gone through the same thing and let them feel they are not alone..that there’s this someone who’s there battling with his life and he don’t need to go through it alone.. because somewhere in this world there are other people like him..someone’s who’s trying, who’s still fighting and sometimes knowing that you are not the only going through with this makes it more bearable.

Privacy. These writers just want to be alone in their own thoughts, yet they also want to express themselves. But they also value their privacy, so what to do? Create a name where it won’t complicate their lives hence, the pen name. A win-win situation.

No reason at all. Truth to be told, there’s no reason to be curious about. I mean just like the readers these writers are just a human like everyone else. Just faceless, but still a human. With a hint of mystery, yes, but aren’t we all mysterious in our own way? Even this world and the milky way or even the whole galaxy, there still remain a mystery and until now people are battling against Science and The Great Unknown taught in every Religion--a touchy topic I don’t want to tackle anytime soon. Not because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean you won’t believe it, a wise friend told me. And she’s right. Just not because you don’t know the writer behind the poetry, behind the fiction, behind those line that tear you up, made you smile, made you laugh, inspired you doesn’t mean they are not real..they are, they just chose to be anonymous.

This is not them playing to be coy, no I don't think so. This is not about the ego either. This is about them choosing where they are comfortable with. Writing in silence but sometimes creating havoc louder than shouting, I think that's the beauty behind it.

Why do you think superheroes hides themselves behind those mask? I guess, they just want peace. Peace of mind. Free from all the hassle. Because sometimes people knowing you personally complicates everything.

Not saying these writers are superheroes, well, some could be, I guess. Some of these writers could help someone without them knowing it… and sometimes world doesn’t need to know this. To know them.

So with this I have a question, does the mask makes them a lesser person, a lesser writer?
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(Dedicated to Ice, a flatterer and a new-found friend. I hope I've answered your questions yeah?😂😂)