What's In a Name?

I've opted to use the pen name Kristen Tiu—a variation of my real name.

My actual name is a bit tricky to spell (and quite a mouthful to remember), so I figured this would make things simpler while still staying true to myself. 

“Kristen” is close enough to my real name that it still feels personal, while “Tiu” keeps a piece of my heritage intact.

Together, they form a name that feels both “me” and slightly new.