6–9 minutes

Through the Pen Name: Writing, Safety, and the Struggle to Be Heard

When I decided to start this blog, I knew from the very beginning that I had to write under a pen name—Siearra Frost. Choosing that name was far from easy. It wasn’t just about finding something different enough to protect my identity; it had to be something that still felt like me. It’s kind of wild to think about naming yourself—it’s like creating your superhero alter ego, except instead of saving the world, you’re just trying to save yourself from nosy relatives, internet trolls, and the occasional overstepping coworker. So here we are. Siearra Frost: a name that allows me to be free, honest, and maybe a little mischievous.

Why I Write Under a Pen Name

The decision to remain anonymous is about safety. Safety to tell my truths. Safety to create. Safety to explore. There are so many reasons I chose this path—reasons rooted in necessity.

I come from a large family. My maternal side is just chaos and drama with a not much true support just selfishness. I can’t blame them fully as it is rooted in trauma for them, however that said they made the choice to continue this trend rather then attempt to change it. This has cost me much in my life. My adoptive paternal side is just as large or larger is a reserved family—a family that values propriety and appearances, where drama is as constant as the seasons. They mean well in their own way, although their world is one of quiet expectations, whispered judgments, and social lines you don’t dare cross. I’ve spent so much of my life tiptoeing around these unspoken rules, masking who I really am just to keep the peace. In their world, it’s better to stay silent than to risk upsetting the status quo.

That said, silence and I aren’t exactly best friends anymore. There are stories I need to tell, truths I need to share, both through my fictional writing and my real-life reflections. And let’s be honest—silence can be boring, and I’m done being boring. I need this space to be my own, free from scrutiny, so I can explore these ideas without holding back.

The Stories That Shaped Me

Growing up, books were my escape—the worlds, the characters, the adventures. I learned to read early, and once I figured out that books could transport me somewhere else, I didn’t look back. People often told me I should be an author, although I was far too timid to consider it. What if I wasn’t good enough? What if nobody cared? Turns out, those were the wrong questions. The real question was: what if I had so many stories bursting out of me that I couldn’t not write them?

Well, here we are. I’m writing. And honestly, it’s more freeing than I ever imagined. Creating something from nothing, building entire worlds, breathing life into characters—it’s exhilarating. Alongside my passion for medicine, writing has become one of the great loves of my life. It hasn’t been easy—nothing worthwhile ever is—but it’s been more than worth it.

The Joys and Challenges of Writing Across Genres

I write fantasy and romance, with a touch of thriller and horror thrown in for good measure. Honestly, sometimes it feels like I’m building a buffet of genres and inviting my imagination to feast. These genres let me explore themes and emotions that feel too big, too bold, or just too messy for real life. However, this blend of genres presents its own challenges. Writing a realistic novel that people can connect to becomes much trickier when the story is a piece-meal of styles and tones. It’s a balancing act, trying to weave them together in a way that feels seamless rather than disjointed. Yet, even with the difficulty, it’s thrilling to create something unique and take readers on a journey unlike any other.

Emotions are not logical. In fact, they’re often the opposite. They’re messy, chaotic, and unpredictable. For someone like me, whose brain is incredibly logical, this creates a fascinating contradiction. It’s a clash of two opposing traits that don’t blend easily. Writing authentic emotional reactions, diving deep into their emotions, sometimes feels like stepping into a world I don’t fully understand. However, it’s also an incredible learning experience. My characters teach me as much as I create them, and I’ve grown to love how they take on lives of their own.

Building a Blog in Anonymity

Poetry has also become a significant part of my writing life. It started out as a way to vent—short, jagged bursts of emotion that helped me process whatever was weighing on me. Now, however, it’s growing into something more. Poetry has become a playground for my thoughts, a place to experiment with language and imagery, to capture fleeting moments and make them tangible. It’s still an outlet, but it’s also a joy.

Tech Challenges

As much as I love writing, the logistics of sharing it can feel overwhelming. Tags, SEO, website building—they all make me want to lie down with a glass of iced tea and rethink my life choices or better yet write more content. The irony of a tech-savvy world is that sometimes the technology feels like it’s conspiring against you. Writing under a pen name adds an extra layer of difficulty because social media and search engines seem to favor people who can openly share their work with their personal networks. My anonymity is non-negotiable, yet it does feel like shouting into the void some days. I’ve poured so much of myself into this blog—it’s like my secret garden. Now I just need people to stumble upon it.

The Light I Hope to Share

Still, this blog is changing me in ways I didn’t expect. For the first time, I feel like I’m reclaiming my voice. I’m no longer held silent, and that’s given me strength I didn’t know I had. I’ve started standing my ground more, even with people I care about. It’s harder to do that with those you know and love—they know where your soft spots are. But I’m working on it. I wonder where I’ll be a year from now. Will I still be hiding in the shadows, or will I have learned how to step into the light without fear? Time will tell, I guess.

This blog isn’t just for me, though. It’s a reflection of everything I believe in: speaking up, creating, connecting, and refusing to stay silent. That’s why I’ve created spaces here for others, too—spaces where people can share their work, their voices, their truths. Writing has transformed me, and I want to extend that gift to others. There’s power in storytelling, in knowing you’re not alone, in being heard. I hope this space becomes a place where creativity and connection thrive.

I’ve also set aside space for stories that demand attention—the ones about injustices, inequities, and the cracks in the systems that are supposed to protect us but often don’t. These stories are difficult, uncomfortable, and necessary. They challenge silence and complacency, and they remind us of the power even the smallest voices can hold.

Lastly, I don’t shy away from sharing the darker moments here. Life isn’t all bright and shiny, and pretending it is doesn’t help anyone. For anyone finding this blog while in their own darkness, I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I’ve felt the weight of it all—the doubt, the fear, the exhaustion. If this space can be a light for even one person, it’s worth it.

Closing Reflections

After stepping away for a little animal love I have come back to reflect on my entry today. While long it is powerful in it’s message.

Life is a journey, and I’m learning to embrace every part of it—the messy, the beautiful, the difficult, and the unexpected. I’m discovering who I am, one step at a time. Maybe I’ll never figure it all out completely, but that’s okay. For the first time, I’m learning to enjoy the process, to find joy in both the growth and the struggle, and to create meaning in every chapter.

Building this blog has been a challenging but transformative journey. If you’re navigating your own challenges, know you’re not alone. Join the conversation—share your thoughts and experiences below.


I would love to hear from you!