I've always written with my real name. When I was younger, I used my full name, including middle, because my full name sounds more haughty and high class. I've since dropped the middle name, though I continue to write under my real first and last. For the most part, I'm proud enough of my writing that I want my name attached. I have used a pseudonym on occasion before, for less-than-savory tales.

But just recently I've developed a fun little system that I think may work well: adopt a pseudonym while writing, but when you're done and happy with the piece, change the byline to your own name. I've developed like six or seven pen names, each a character with their own personality, which allows me to write how they would write, and it allows me to write things I might ordinarily hesitate to write. Because I know that if I really wanted to, I could publish under the pseudonym and no one would be the wiser, or simply choose to not publish at all. But when all is complete, and I'm proud of what I've written, and the bits I might once have hesitated to write being in there, and making the piece more powerful and complete, I can change the name to myself again.

This is all in theory, by the way, as I have not written anything since coming up with this idea, but I'm eager to try it and see how well it really works. If not, meh, my real name is good enough.