Friends

New Jersey.

Comic Book Store.

"Holy shit!"

Leonard stared at the words 'Adapted from Adam Duncan's novel Lord of the Mysteries ' on the comic book for a long time before finally swearing.

Compared to writers from the East Country who prefer to use pen names, Western writers tend to use their real names, though this is not always the case.

As for the reason...

In the East Country, early novels were considered a low-class literary form; otherwise, they wouldn't be called novels, but rather "big." The word "small" perfectly encapsulates the awkward situation of novelists.

Therefore, until the explosion of online literature in the Adam era, bizarre pen names remained the mainstream for writers, and almost no one was willing to use their real names.

What are the advantages of using a pen name?

For those who fail at writing, acquaintances can't recognize them by their pen name, so they can write whatever they want, saving them from face-to-face personal attacks from people who don't like novels.

If you can't continue writing due to factors such as grades or force majeure, you can discard your existing pen name and put on a new one at any time.

Moreover, pen names with specific meanings are definitely easier to remember than the dozens of common real names that a school might have.

Just like how many celebrities change their names to be more unique in order to become famous.

In the past, the West also liked to use pen names, but not like the East Country, because of the status of novels. Rather, it was because of the yellow and violent content, and the various indescribable things, that they had to use pen names.

For example, Adam's benefactor, Nora Bing, the queen of erotic novels, would never have dared to use her real name before.

Her novel writing process, as she herself summarized it, is: 'Start by describing a few Europe cities, use 30 euphemistic words to describe the indescribable, and then bam! Your bestseller is done!'

It's that simple and straightforward!

In modern times, with increasingly open attitudes and the implementation of a rating system, any kind of novel can be written.

At this moment, what is most important?

It's fame, of course!

Is there any need to consider whether to use a pen name or your real name?

Of course, use your real name!

Because a pen name is also an asset, it can be stripped away, transferred, or ignored or weakened, but a real name cannot be stripped away in this way.

Your work will be labeled with your name in any setting, and people will know who you are!

Don't underestimate this difference, because 99% of readers won't be so devoted as to search for your real name after going through your pen name. Changing your name can even damage your reputation.

For example, Nora Bing divorced her 'glamorous' ex-husband a long time ago, so why does she still use her ex-husband's surname?

Because when she started writing novels and became famous, she used the first and last name Nora Bing, and that's what her readers remember Nora by.

Adam was reborn, so he naturally knew this principle. Therefore, when he borrowed the Lord of the Mysteries, he did not use the pen name "The Cuttlefish That Loves Diving" as a tribute, but directly used Adam Duncan's real name.

Nowadays, even comic book adaptations are printed on the cover as "Adapted from Adam Duncan's novel Lord of the Mysteries," not "Adapted from Random House's novel Lord of the Mysteries."

certainly.

Shuren Zhou said: Everything has two sides. You can only choose one between fame and privacy. In the adult world, having both is what children wish for.

Adam Duncan's real name was printed in the comic book, which Leonard saw directly.

And so, it was exposed.

"What's wrong, Leonard?"

Beside them, a boy who also wore glasses looked over curiously.

The comic book community and the otaku community overlap significantly; both are niche circles. They live in the same place, and the same few people come and go to buy and read comics, and most of them know each other.

"I know the author of the original novel that inspired this comic."

Upon being asked, Leonard's initial anger—that Adam hadn't told him he was publishing a book and didn't consider him a friend at all—quickly vanished. A wide grin involuntarily spread across his face as he proudly declared, "He's my best friend!"

"Really?"

"Is Adam Duncan your friend, Leonard?"

"Impossible!"

The Comic Book Store was quite small, and as soon as Leonard said that, everyone gathered around.

"Of course it's true!"

Leonard shouted, "Adam is my best friend. He even helped me beat up Jimmy back then."

"What? Adam Duncan is your ruthless friend?"

This caused an even bigger uproar, because no one would associate a writer with a ruthless person; the contrast was too great, and this kind of plot could only be seen in superhero comics.

"Stop bragging."

At first, some people believed him, but now very few people believe Leonard.

"It's true."

Leonard was so anxious he was about to grab his asthma inhaler. "Adam is truly my best friend."

How do you prove it?

Some people questioned this.

"I..."

Leonard opened his mouth, only to find that he had no way to prove himself.

"See! He was just bragging!"

Those who questioned it laughed.

"I will prove it to you."

Leonard, holding the first volume of Lord of the Mysteries, paid for it and stormed out of the Comic Book Store.

California.

Pasadena.

"Howard, breakfast is ready!"

A large figure was busy in the kitchen, then called upstairs.

"I am coming."

An impatient, youthful male voice came from upstairs.

"Don't yell at me."

The massive figure retorted, "I am your mother."

"I know!"

The impatient, childish male voice grew closer, and with a creaking sound on the stairs, a thin, short figure descended. "Everyone knows you're my mother!"

"Come and eat, we need to see the doctor later."

The massive figure served as a reminder.

"I know."

The thin, short boy sat down at the table and bargained, saying, "But I need to go to the Comic Book Store on my way back; I need to restock."

Are you sure you're going to buy comics?

The massive figure questioned, "You know that we're using more and more tissues at home, right?"

I don't know what you're talking about!

The short, thin boy paused, then shouted again, "If you don't believe me, you can follow me in, provided you can get in without tearing down the door!"

"It's all your damned father's fault. If he hadn't abandoned my mother and me, I wouldn't have needed to eat so much, and I wouldn't be in this state now."

The massive figure said aggrievedly, "Now even you despise me, what's the point of me living anymore? I might as well be dead, boohoo..."

The short, thin boy rolled his eyes helplessly. This wasn't the first time he'd seen this scene; he should have been immune to it by now.

Don't be fooled by his frequent yelling at his mother; deep down, he still cares about her, so this clichéd crying and tantrum always works.

"I don't look down on you."

The boy said helplessly.

"You just don't like me."

The enormous figure persisted relentlessly.

"I could dislike anyone but you!"

The boy couldn't help but yell again.

"See! You still say you don't mind me!"

The massive figure rebuked.

His voice was strong and clear, with not a trace of grievance or tears.

"..."

The boy was speechless.