Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Who am I?

By Darvell Hunt

I have decided upon a pen name for my first novel: Darvell Hunt.

Well, actually, that’s my real name. And why not? What’s the point of being famous if you can’t rub it in to those people who knew you before you were famous?

I met the famed writer Dave Wolverton at a recent writing conference. He internationally publishes science fiction novels under his real name and fantasy novels under the name of Dave Farland.

For those who don’t know, Dave Wolverton is one of those authors who not only makes a living by writing full-time, but is actually getting rich doing it. Not rich like Dan Brown or J. K. Rowling, but rich enough for my standards.

Anyway, Dave noticed my name badge, which all of us wore like we were kindergarteners on the first day of school. First, he said my name aloud—even pronouncing it correctly by putting the emphasis on the last syllable, as Dar-VELL. Then he said, “That’s a good author name.”

I was pleased to have the approval and decided, right then and there, that I wouldn’t use a pen name. Whichever of my novels gets published first will get my real name on the cover.

I’m afraid, however, that since I’m working on a young adult novel, an LDS genre novel, and a thriller novel, that I’ll have to pick a different pen name for whatever novel comes after my first, if I get published in a different genre.

I’m thinking of using Darvell Wolverton. Kind of catchy, huh?

3 comments:

Karlene said...

Darvell, that's so funny! Are you sure you'll need a pen name? Those three areas wouldn't necessarily require it. They'd probably blend just fine. It's only when publishing in one area would conflict with another area--for example if you were writing both children's novels and slasher/horror novels that there might be a need to separate the two.

Darvell Hunt said...

Thanks for your comments, KB. I'm just wondering what kids will think who read my young adult novel when they see my name on a rated PG-13 thriller novel.

I guess I don't even need to worry about that until I get published in two genres. Heck, I'm not even published in one genre yet!

Thanks for reading.
Darvell

Karlene said...

I suppose maybe you do need a pen name then. And it doesn't hurt to be prepared way in advance for every eventuality--including becoming rich and famous in several genres. I never let reality get in the way of planning for my future. I have about 4 pen names picked out, which I shall not divulge because unlike you, I want to hide behind mine. I'm kind of shy that way. :)