I spent most of my life disliking my last name. "Scarlett" always felt right, but "Barnhill" never did. Before I realized I was queer, I figured I would shuck the last name when I married a man and take whatever name he had. Then, after I realized I was queer, I loved the idea of choosing a new, third surname with my partner. My best friend and their ex-husband did this, and so did my brother and his wife. I made up my mind: this was what I was going to do.
Then, I published Train Track Princes, and on the cover: Scarlett Barnhill.
I signed the inside for the people who asked me to: Scarlett B.
I made a website: scarlettbarnhill.com
My last name, the one that I never really cared for, became mine completely. All I needed to do was attach what I created to it. I created something I'm proud of, and that was all I needed to feel as though I had the right name.
People choose different names all the time for all manner of reasons.
I really like that I've gotten the chance to choose to keep mine.
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