My Name is… (The Decloaking of Bucksome Boomer)

by Kay Lynn

From the title of this post you know that no matter the name, I’m a nerd.  I thought the Star Trek reference was better than a closet one.  All kidding aside, today I decided to reveal my true identify. 

This is a big decision to bloggers that begin writing anonymously and one that can’t be reversed.  I started thinking about it after reading Ryan’s thoughts @ Cash Money Life.  I began mulling over the reasons why I started out with my pseudonym and if they were still factors.

Blogging Anonymously

I started my blog without a long term plan.  I felt compelled to start it but didn’t know if that motivation would last one week.  A year later I know it’s something I enjoy and want to continue.  It would have been embarrassing to put my name out there and quit after such a short time. 

Another fear related to relationships with friends, family, coworkers and customers.  I didn’t know at the time how my writing would describe  these people (if at all) and if there would be fallout.  To my delight, everyone has been supportive and find it interesting (or at least they pretend to).

Why Reveal Identity

There are two major reasons I decided to reveal my name at this point.  The first is that I have begun to receive opportunities for monetization and working with PR publicists that would be easier if not trying to hide my identity.  I had to list my real name so many places for payment that it was getting confusing. 

I used my “real” name when meeting the DC Bloggers and got the taste of being known as so-and-so who publishes Bucksome Boomer.  I did the same thing last month at the Savvy Blogging Summit. 

Who Am I

So, hi my name is Kay Lynn Akers.  It’s a two word first name which may seem southern, but is not in my case.  That picture above is from my birthday dinner last year.  I’m really glad to know you all and let you know me.

Everything I’ve written about my experiences, family and finances are real.  Now you just know the name behind the writing. 

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{ 28 comments }

Forest August 4, 2010 at 7:48 am

Hey Bucksome (or should I say Kay now!). Great to see you for real.

I use a nickname but it’s easy to track the real me down!

Bucksome August 4, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Forest, I’ll continue to use Bucksome Boomer as a nickname, but am happy to not worry about revealing it and sweating over if I used the wrong email address!

Red August 4, 2010 at 7:58 am

Hello, Kay Lynn! Nice to meet you! 😉

My great-grandmother had a two name first name – Ollie Mae, which I absolutely adore. Congrats on taking this step! By the way, I think it’s cute that you and your banner avatar look so much alike. I always wonder if people look like their avatars. 😀

Bucksome August 4, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Mrs. Micah told me I resembled my avatar when I met her in May. The only problem is the avatar doesn’t have graying hair!

Mandy August 4, 2010 at 9:29 am

Congratulations! How does it feel? Is it liberating or do you feel you have to be more guarded?

Now, when you go to BlogHer, everyone will be looking for the real you and the not the gravatar!

Love the photo 🙂

Bucksome August 4, 2010 at 12:28 pm

Mandy, good question. I feel freer in my communication because I’m not trying to mask my identity. However, I definitely will be more guarded regarding times away from home (when no one will be here) and other personal details.

Kristia@FamilyBalanceSheet August 4, 2010 at 11:02 am

Wow, so nice to meet you Kay Lynn. That is a big step and one I have yet to make. I don’t know what I am afraid of though.

Congrats.

Bucksome August 4, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Kristia, it got to the point where I didn’t see the advantage any more. It’s not like I have rabid fans who will try to visit me:).

Mysti August 4, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Nice to meet you Kay Lynn! And my first thought when I saw your pic….hey, her icon on her banner looks just like her! You are so pretty!

I am staying in the closet for now…but good for you for coming out!

Bucksome August 5, 2010 at 4:34 am

Mysti, one of my friends read the post and said “that’s a really good picture of you”. My reply was “that’s why I picked it”. It was flattering and before I gained back 25 pounds, LOL.

Revealing your identify is one of those things you should re-evaluate once in a while. You’ll know when, if, it is time to come out!

Joe Plemon August 4, 2010 at 2:57 pm

Hi Kay Lynn,
I have a sister whose name is Mary Lynne and who bristles when anyone tries to get by with “Mary”.

I feel like I already know you, but it is nice to have a name to put with the blog. Speaking of your blog, congrats on getting your Alexa score under 100,000. I was tracking with you for a while, but you just kept on improving while I started backsliding. Keep up the great blog work!

Bucksome August 5, 2010 at 4:36 am

Joe, I must confess it irritates me when people leave the second part off!

Thanks for noticing my Alexa ranking was down. It was down below 100,000 in early July but only for 3-4 days. I’m hoping it sticks this time! I think it’s a matter of time for you.

Financial Samurai August 4, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Must be liberating coming out! Congrats! Whoever did your gravatar and logo did a great job!

Bucksome August 5, 2010 at 4:39 am

Sam, it is a nice feeling. I did both myself and am working on a new logo this month. I was in the queue for a web designer who decided to not work for a while.

Evan August 4, 2010 at 7:35 pm

Congrats on coming out! I hope one day I can do it too

Bucksome August 5, 2010 at 4:39 am

Evan, hopefully you can; it’s something to consider every once in a while.

Elle August 5, 2010 at 4:24 am

Great job Kay Lyn! I’m glad there’s another Star Trek fan in the PF blogging realm. 🙂

Bucksome August 5, 2010 at 4:41 am

Elle, I am a big sci-fi fan and Star Trek was the first show I watched with that bent. However, I won’t go to Comi-con in my own hometown. It’s too big!

JoeTaxpayer September 10, 2010 at 2:32 pm

Count me in. There was a time I could here one like of dialogue and tell you the title of the Trek episode it was from. (TOS, I was less obsessed as I got older.) I remain beside myself that the recent movie messed up the time line. Hoping they fix it, I have enough anxiety to contend with. My first kiss? A fellow Trekkie whom I met at a convention. TMI, I know.
Congrats on the coming out. I have a very few people who know my secret identity. Will keep it that way for a while.

Kay Lynn September 10, 2010 at 6:27 pm

Joe, glad to know you’re a fellow Trekkie! I did like the new movie, but you just have to forget about the series when watching it.

Live long and prosper!

JoeTaxpayer September 11, 2010 at 6:05 am

ack. typo above, “here one like” should be “hear one line.” too much Saurian Brandy yesterday…

Roshawn @ Watson Inc August 5, 2010 at 5:22 am

Congrats on being free! There were plenty of times when I wanted to hide my identity, but in the end I thought it would just complicate things. It always feels a little more personal for me when you the mystique of the pseudonym is gone. Friendly Regards,
Shawn

Little House August 5, 2010 at 9:03 am

I think it’s great that you made this decision. I also love that the gravatar of you and the real you match! Do you feel liberated?

Eric August 5, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Well, good to formally meet you Kay. For now, I am going on a first name basis on my blog, but maybe I’ll follow in your footsteps some day. Keep us appraised of anything that changes now that you are public.

Jackie August 6, 2010 at 5:44 am

Congrats on de-cloaking! I found it much easier to write once I had done so for some odd reason.

Maggie@SquarePennies October 8, 2011 at 9:20 am

Kay Lynn, I’m still leary of decloaking. I guess if I got as famous as you I might be brave enough to try it.

Kay Lynn October 8, 2011 at 7:25 pm

Maggie, I swear I became better known after revealing my name. It really has been good for me at work too because I’m known as a social media “expert” now.

YFS November 11, 2011 at 9:35 pm

Well Kay Lynn sounds a whole lot better than buck. Hi Kay

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