Pen names
juniperus had an interesting post today (sorry, it's locked, thus I'm not linking) about whether or not to use a pen name, why or why not, and if so, what.
Not that I'm currently in a position where it's important, but I've pondered the possibility, if and when I ever have a piece of original fiction that I want to try to publish. (Actually, I do have such a short story, that I keep thinking I ought to polish and try sending off...)
Thoughts? Do you or would you use a pen name? I know most folks here (those who write fic or do other creative work, anyway) consider their LJ names as, basically, pen names or pseudonyms. If you published "professionally," either with a regular press or self-publishing, what would you do? What name would you use?
And this makes me want to consider pen names seriously, because if I ever decide to submit that short story somewhere, I'd want to have chosen what to do about a name.