Call Me By My Name

Before I started this website, I seriously considered using a pen name. When I went to register my domain name I froze and started to feel anxiety. This is where I tell you that I am an introvert. I’m not shy, far from it, but I’m not bursting at the seams to engage with new people. I also dislike sharing things about myself. I’ve been told I’m a great listener because I’d much rather listen than talk. I guess you could say I’m a private person. I don’t really know why because there ain’t nothing going on over here.

The thought of having my name out there and associated with my writing scared me. First, I have a full-time job. I work in an office. I don’t want co-workers all up in my business. Second, what if I get super famous and then people start naming their kids Kasha? I like having a unique name. I don’t want my name to become the new “Mary.” I know the likelihood of me becoming famous is pretty slim, so probably not a realistic concern. But, if I end up on Oprah and you name your third born Kasha, I’ma be pissed. Lastly, I’m writing a romance novel. Come closer I want to tell you a secret… my book has a little sex in it. Just a few adult situations, and I don’t want to be judged. I know what you're thinking, girl don’t worry about what everyone else thinks. And you are 100% right. BUT… I do tho.

To be honest, I’m less worried about “people” and more worried about what my mother will think. Let me make it clear. I am grown. Not, just moved into my first apartment grown, but grown like I graduated from high school over 20 years ago. That kinda grown. And even though I am grown with a 15-year-old son I still care about how my mother perceives me. My mother, is from Jamaica and she is traditional as most parents from my generation tend to be. I do not curse in front of my mother. When she’s not around, I curse like a sailor but that is for another blog. I do not argue or raise my voice with her because I don’t want to be physically assaulted by a senior citizen. I also don’t want to do anything that would embarrass her or have her friends call with questions about her wild child who wrote a book with sex in it.

So, my mother was the main reason I was considering a pen name. If you think I’m being ridiculous let me just say this… YOU DON’T KNOW MY LIFE, FAM!!!! Sorry for yelling. But just a few days ago my mother asked me why I posted a picture on Instagram with the F word in it. Yeah, that happened. And I handled it great. I told her look if you are going to follow me on social media you have to accept that I may post things that you don’t like from time to time. Super mature of me, right. So here are a few pen names I considered:

Kay Thompson

K.A. Thompson

Kayla Thomas

Kalthea Thompson

Jerky McJerkinson - Okay not this one. I was just making sure you were still paying attention.

As you can see, I ended up just using my real name which was a mixture of laziness and pride. I couldn’t find a name that I liked and I’m writing a book. 20 years from now I don’t want to hold up a book by Kayla Thomas. I mean who’s that bitch?