Patricia Gligor
I recently discovered that I was born in one of the years designated as "The Year of the Tiger." I couldn't help but smile when I read that and here's why.
When my first book was accepted for publication, my mother asked me what pen name I was going to use. When I told her I intended to use my "real" name, she reminded me that Gligor is frequently mispronounced and/or misspelled. "I think you should use a simpler name, one that readers will remember," she told me.
But I was adamant. However, as much as we all hate to admit that our mother is right, time has proven her point. My name has been mangled on more than one occasion and I cringe every time that happens. Still, I stand by my decision and I decided to end this year and to start the new year by setting the record straight.
My last name is Gligor. It's my maiden name, which I took back after my divorce several years ago. In Romania, where my paternal grandfather was born, our name was pronounced Glee-gore but in the Americanized version Gligor rhymes with tiger. (Now you know why I was smiling.)
I hope you'll stop in to visit with me in the months ahead. If you have a suggestion for a topic you'd like me to write about, please let me know. And, as always, I welcome and appreciate your comments.
But I was adamant. However, as much as we all hate to admit that our mother is right, time has proven her point. My name has been mangled on more than one occasion and I cringe every time that happens. Still, I stand by my decision and I decided to end this year and to start the new year by setting the record straight.
My last name is Gligor. It's my maiden name, which I took back after my divorce several years ago. In Romania, where my paternal grandfather was born, our name was pronounced Glee-gore but in the Americanized version Gligor rhymes with tiger. (Now you know why I was smiling.)
I hope you'll stop in to visit with me in the months ahead. If you have a suggestion for a topic you'd like me to write about, please let me know. And, as always, I welcome and appreciate your comments.
Happy New Year!
LOL I get it. People have trouble with "Marja", too. Good post and it sounds like we're about to start learning more about you. Yea!
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
Thanks, Marja! And, thanks for reminding me that my blog should be the place where readers get to know me.
DeleteAs scary as that is (LOL), I've decided to write most of my blog posts myself this next year. I'll still feature a Mystery of the Month post though because I love promoting other authors.
Very interesting--in that I've pronounced your name in my head as Gligor (Tiger)--but I kind of like Glee-gore! Hmm. My born with last name is Rhodes, then married a Gornell, and Madeline can be spelled and shorted many ways, and oddly, it's never bother me to be mis-spelled or mangled. It's like an alternate personality of me...I know, I know, loony-toons! Mainly commented to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to favorite author friend!
ReplyDeleteWow, Madeline, you're one of the few who pronounced Gligor correctly. I hated the Glee-gore thing because I used to get teased with that name in school.
DeleteHappy New Year to you too!