Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Mistake Me For

For some reason I am often the victim of mistaken authorial identity. Being confused with other writers gives me the opportunity to live vicariously for a few hours, though, so it's not all bad.

Like when some strange folks decided that author Stephen Leigh and I were the same person (that one even had a hilariously idiotic web site devoted to it for a while.) I was quite flattered, because I mean who wouldn't want to be Stephen Leigh? He teaches writing at university, plays in three bands and studies Aikido. He has a great beard, too. Truth is I'd love to be a scholarly musician author professor who can genuinely kick your ass. And while I'm still not sure how anyone could build an entire conspiracy theory based solely on the fact that Stephen and I use the same first two initials (S.L.), it was a nice thrill while it lasted.

Since this is evidently going to be a regular thing with me, I think I should get to pick the next author I'm mistaken for. It's my turn, isn't it? That way I can spend an afternoon or a week or even a couple of months not being me while I'm being someone else I'm not. I could dress up, make people call me by names I've never used -- I think there are still a couple left -- and quite possibly write stories I'd never write.

With this in mind, here are some suggestions for the next time someone decides to make me a writer I've never been:

Jane Austen: I know, she's moved on to the next place, but maybe we could work a reincarnation theory or something. Of course I'd need this to go on long enough for me to write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, bury the appropriately fake-aged manuscript somewhere in England, and leave clues so people know where to dig it up.

Jude Devereaux: With this identity I'll need a sample of her handwriting so I can sign some of her books for my mom, who adores everything she writes. She doesn't have a hard signature to fake, does she?

Thomas Harris: The beard isn't as nice as Stephen's, but we'll pretend I shaved it off. Actually I'd just like five minutes access to his brain so I can find out why he ended Hannibal the way he did.

Barry Hughart: so I could rummage through his files and see if there's a follow-up anywhere to Eight Skilled Gentlemen (the third book in his Bridge of Birds saga). Please note that I wouldn't steal it, I'd simply read it while I hid under his desk.

Jan Karon: Have you ever see her office? It's like Oprah's, only better. Plus she's believably blonde and makes helmet hair look elegant.

Stephen King: idle curiosity for the most part; I'd like to know how it feels to be the only living writer who is actually less photogenic than I am.

Shiloh Walker: because she can run and I can't, she does way better on her diet than I do, and I secretly suspect she's tireless.

I have a signed ARC of Nightborn to give away today, so if you're interested in a chance of winning it, in comments to this post name an author you'd like to be mistaken for, and why (or if you'd rather keep your own identity, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. I'll choose one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner a signed ARC of Nightborn, my upcoming March release and the first novel in my new Lords of the Darkyn trilogy. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won someone here at PBW in the past.

38 comments:

  1. no, no, no... you ruined everything! I totally wanna be mistaken for you.

    And tireless? Ha! I'm always tired.

    And that was my entry. You. Or maybe Nora Roberts or Linda Howard. Ilona Andrews or Stacia Kane would be cool, too. Except I can't write the books you guys write and I don't wanna give them up. I guess I'll stay being me.

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  2. LOL I love your idea for Shiloh....she is a fireball of energy. But since you already took that one I will have to say Shayla Black/Shelley Bradley.... love her work and hey... wouldn't even have to change my first name or initials... LOL
    Shell B

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  3. LMAO I'm not sure I'd want to be mistaken for anyone -- readers can get VICIOUS! Though I admit, it'd be fun to pretend to be George R.R. Martin for a day -- again with the nice beard...

    :P

    Jess
    romanceaholic at gmail dot com

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  4. I honestly have no clue. I have so many authors that inspire me, you being one of them.

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  5. Anne V.1:05 AM

    I'd love to be mistaken for Rob Thurman-a fellow redhead with long hair. I wish I could write such witty scenes!
    I could also be happily mistaken for Nora Roberts since she is (like our favorite blogging author!) part writing machine and produces masses of books I enjoy.

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  6. ColoradoKerry1:21 AM

    Well, I'm not sure who I would like to be mistaken for, I'm just now finding out who I am! I am Kerry Parker and am loving reading all these stories! So include me in your giveaway, thank you very much!
    kerryp2004@msn.com

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  7. Please don't put me in the contest. My retirement move commences in three days so I'll be address-less ;) LOL!

    I'd love to be mistaken for you or Anne McCaffrey. You both set me straight on genre bending and women in fiction. Besides...I'd like to be REALLY prolific!

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  8. Cheryl Sanders1:36 AM

    If I had to choose just one author...I would have to choose Lora Leigh. Who wouldn't want to have a creative mind like the one who writes "The Breeds" Series. That being said Lynn, I also love your books!!! :)

    Cheryl Sanders
    sandersknc@yahoo.com

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  9. Fran Kane3:54 AM

    Yourself of course, for the chance to understand how you map out the twists & turns of your stories so that the reader (me) is completely hooked and can't put the book down. The big picture must be fascinating.

    Georgette Heyer because I have loved her books since I was 11 and still re-read them every couple of years.

    Nora Roberts and Christine Feehan because I learn so much with every book I read.

    Last but by no means least Clive Cussler because I love Dirk Pitt!

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  10. Anonymous7:13 AM

    Well, I love being a reader so I am happy not to be any author in particular, (but as I am a fast reader I would like you and others to write faster please!!!) If I had to choose though it would be someone who is dead, so Jane Austen for me.

    Lyndall

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  11. I'd like to be mistaken for Jayne Anne Krentz. Tall, red-headed, prolific.

    (I'm short and brown-haired. Sigh.)

    Plus, I love her books, and yours.

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  12. I would like to be Dr. Seuss-- but not the real Dr. Seuss, with all of his problems, and not liking kids, etc.-- Dr. Seuss the way you'd imagine he would be based on his books.
    Or, I'd LOVE to be David Attenborough. Although not technically an author, he's got his names on books, so I think that counts. He's gotten to see some of the coolest things in the world.

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  13. Well, you, Shiloh because I love her books, and Marjorie Liu because she's a great writer and she has fantastic hair.

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  14. I'd like to be mistaken for Richelle Mead so I can feel what it is like to have three successful series going at the same time. And finally be a natural red-head too.

    DiDi

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  15. I'd like to be mistaken for Suzanne Collins because I only recently read The Hunger Games trilogy (finished it all in 5 days), and now the stories won't leave me alone. Maybe if I was her, I could just write short story sequels to get Peeta and Katniss out of my head.

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  16. Let me be mistaken for Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, or Ray Bradley. I loved that time of scifi with Andrew North and Andre' Norton. And yes, I believe they are the same writer.

    Sigh. What's even funnier is my doppelganger is a minister. Yes, she has the exact same name including the same middle name. We don't look alike though.

    Cyn

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  17. too funny. If you are Jude Deveraux, I want your autograph as well :) Hmm, I think I'd like to be in the brain of Judith McNaught. How does she write so well that I often cry with the heroine when things look bleak?

    Reese

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  18. I'm not sure who I'd want to be mistaken for. Just throw my name into the hat, please.
    Jennifer

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  19. I don't really want to be another author... I want to be myself but finally have a book that's awesome and publishable!

    That said, I wouldn't mind trading places with JK Rowling for all her fame and fortune...

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  20. LOL. I wouldn't want Austen's life, but I'd love her skills. Have you read PD James Death Comes to Pemberly? It's almost like having Jane back. I know there are many many Jane-imitators out there, but this one is a cut above.

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  21. I would like to be mistaken for the author, Jacqueline Winspear. Blond and prlific and creative which I am far from in everyway.

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  22. An author who would be an event to be recognized for, Ray Bradbury, talented, famous and fun.

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  23. Mistake me for Chris Moore any day.

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  24. I wouldn't mind being mistaken for Nora Roberts. She writes engaging books (lots of them!), goes on nifty vacations and manages to write about them interestingly (without making you want to smack her face off), and appears to enjoy exercise.

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  25. Anonymous5:44 PM

    Gail Carriger because her book's are really silly and make me laugh out loud at work!

    Tara B

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  26. I think I'll stay on the reader side. Less stress that way, so just toss my name in the hat.

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  27. irian6:58 PM

    I'd love to be mistaken for ilona andrews. Because i love the way she manages to sneak in anime refetences into her books (the sgt. Keroro cameo as a plush toy in Fate's Edge was priceless). It takes an anime fan to know another one i suppose.

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  28. GayLee9:29 PM

    I'm fascinated by Diana Gabaldon, speaking of overachievers. I wish I had that kind of energy/drive. Scientist, mother, writer. I'm tired just thinking about it. Robert Heinlein. Ray Bradbury. Connie Willis. Anne McCaffery. Ursula K. LeGuin. Neil Gaiman.

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  29. As one of my New year's vows is to not lurk *quite* so much, thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.

    Hrm, well Shiloh already mentioned you and I second that. I honestly had never laughed my way through a book in a long time...til StarDoc. (Not that I saw it as humor - it was just so refreshing to read a story with a strong female character with attitude. LOVED it and have been hooked ever since)

    I'd add Linens Sinclair and Sharon Lee (Liaden Universe) to round out my list.

    thanks,
    Lisa Richman

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  31. Stupid auto-correct on my tablet. LINNEA... Linnea Sinclair. *sigh*

    Also Anne McCaffrey, Jean Johnson's latest (her first SF) and David Weber. (Yep, my next cat's gonna be named Nimitz....)

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  32. "And while I'm still not sure how anyone could build an entire conspiracy theory based solely on the fact that Stephen and I use the same first two initials (S.L.), it was a nice thrill while it lasted."

    Well, that is way more material than your typical conspiracy theorist has to work with.

    John Varley, especially his Eight Worlds stuff.

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  33. I'd like to be mistaken for Julia Spencer Fleming, 'cause I could talk about the relationship between her characters Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne *for hours* ...

    - Bonz

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  34. I would love to be mistaken for Christopher Moore. Coyote Blue is a sure cure for depression - I just read the condo scene with Coyote and laugh. Also - the titles are wonderful. Who wouldn't want to have The Island of the Sequined Love Nuns, The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove or The Stupidest Angel in their bio?

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  35. Decided to ponder this for a bit, and my answer popped into my head while I was at work today.

    You. I'd like to borrow a bit of your determination and resilience, just long enough to get me firmly on the road with enough momentum to keep me going on my own.

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  36. Susanne2:49 PM

    to many authors...sigh..and to many books in my bookshelves..and not enough shelves, too.
    http://bookshelfporn.com/

    So just put my name into the magic hat please!

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  37. I'd love to be Judy mays so I can find out how her next alien book goes. I seriously need the next two or three booksin this series.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  38. I'd love to have your mad skills and imagination. I can tell a story. I can tell a really great story. I just can't tell it "great" enough yet, I guess. *sigh*

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