Of course, when writing a novel, one could choose not to write one's real name. It was entirely up to one's creative will and preferences. Some people like to create a fictional character in a novel and name it while others like to use the name of a real person. However, using the names of real people is also an option, as long as the characters are related to people in the real world and don't confuse the reader. The most important thing when creating was to follow one's own preferences and create an interesting and imaginative story.