I. Roots and Early Life
I come from a modest background. Growing up was not always easy — money was tight, opportunities limited, but imagination was abundant. Even as a child, I felt drawn to stories: video games, films, books — all of them felt like doors to different worlds. While others saw fictional realms as mere escape, for me they offered a way to give shape to the things I felt inside but couldn't express.
In school, I was more reserved than outgoing. I was curious, thoughtful, and always scheming ways to build something — a plot, a character, a scenario. I didn't talk much about my dreams; I didn't have to. I carried them in the quiet corners of my mind.
As I grew older, I discovered video games — not just to play, but to observe, dissect, and learn from their storytelling mechanics. The way game narratives are built: quests, leveling up, facing monsters, gaining power — these structures resonated deeply with me. In fact, before becoming a novelist, I worked as a game writer. That experience deeply shaped how I think of narrative, pacing, conflict, and character development.
---
II. Choosing the Pen Name: Guiltythree
The name "Guiltythree" is not random. It reflects a moment of playfulness, necessity, and a little bit of mischief. There were already writers using "Guiltyone" and "Guiltytwo" as their usernames, so I couldn't pick those. At the time, I also couldn't spell "guillotine" correctly. So "Guiltythree" was born — part joke, part identity.
Over the years, the name grew on me. It became more than a username; it became a brand. It stood for creative independence, for not being bound by the expectations of traditional publishing, and for embracing the freedom (and responsibility) that comes with writing on an open platform.
---
III. The Leap to Web Novel Writing
I started writing seriously on WebNovel not because I had a huge plan — but because I felt it was the only place where I could be fully myself. Working as a game writer was rewarding, but in that realm I was still building someone else's world. I wanted to build my world.
My first novel (before Shadow Slave) was not a success. It "failed terribly," to use my own words. But failure taught me more than success could have. It taught me the importance of persistence, of listening to readers, of refining my voice, and of structuring a story that feels big and tight at once.
I told myself: "I'll give myself six months. If it doesn't work out, I'll reconsider." But Shadow Slave emerged during that time, a spark that grew into a bonfire.
---
IV. Birth of Shadow Slave
When I conceived Shadow Slave, the core of the story came from that same place of imaginative longing and personal struggle. The protagonist, Sunny, grew up in poverty, disillusioned, and beaten down by life — much like I sometimes felt in my own early years. But Sunny gets chosen by the Nightmare Spell, which transports him to a magical, decaying world filled with monsters and other "Awakened." The power he receives holds danger and potential, just like creativity itself.
I designed the world meticulously: not just a fantasy realm, but one with deep lore, political complexity, magical systems, and moral ambiguity. My years as a game writer taught me how to build systems — powers, spells, leveling, risk — in a way that feels believable and engaging.
When Shadow Slave took off, I realized I had tapped into something. Readers from all over the world connected with it, commented, sent fan art, offered theories. That community became an essential part of my life.
---
V. The Writing Grind
Writing Shadow Slave is not a part-time hobby for me — it's a full-time commitment. At peak, I've written two chapters a day, keeping up a grueling pace. There were days when I was drained, hit by burnout, but the responsibility to my readers — and to Sunny's story — kept me going.
The web-novel format forces a certain discipline: update regularly, keep people hooked, but not at the cost of quality. I balance cliffhangers, world-building, character growth, and plot twists carefully. My background in game writing helps here — designing quests, calculating risk/reward, building momentum.
---
VI. The Struggles and Sacrifices
Becoming successful has not meant an easy life. There were sacrifices: late nights, missed social events, and the constant fear that what I write might not be good enough. The anonymity of the internet helps in one way — but in another, the lack of traditional recognition sometimes hurts.
Also, being a Russian writing in English comes with its challenges. English is not my first language, but I chose to write in it to reach a broader audience. That decision has cost me extra effort — grammar, tone, voice — but it has also paid off enormously. My readers are spread across the world, and that global connection is something I deeply cherish.
Then there is the issue of piracy. There are pirated sites that host Shadow Slave, and some even rewrite chapters using AI. That's disheartening: not only does it take away from my work, but it also distorts it. But I try not to dwell on the negatives. I'm building something for the long term, and I believe in writing for those who genuinely care.
---
VII. Recognition and Awards
Despite the challenges, things have gone beyond what I dared to hope.
Shadow Slave won the Best Overseas Novel award at the Yuewen Global IP Awards.
Media coverage described me as a "high-potential overseas IP."
Through reader support, community engagement, and steadily growing reputation, I now feel more confident in my craft than ever.
These recognitions are not just for me — they are for every reader who stayed, theorized, drew, and believed.
---
VIII. My Philosophy as an Author
Writing is creative freedom — that's something I deeply believe in. Having the reins to build a world, shape its rules, and throw my characters into unimaginable situations is an incredible privilege. But with freedom comes responsibility.
I strive to:
1. Build Real Characters
I want characters who feel flawed, human, and capable of growth. Sunny is not a perfect hero — he is cynical, bitter, haunted. His strength is not just in his power, but in his will to survive and to belong.
2. Make Worldbuilding Matter
Magic systems, while fantastical, must have rules. Consequences must feel earned. Power can corrupt, and being "Awakened" is not just a gift — it is a burden.
3. Value My Readers
The community around Shadow Slave is not a side effect — it's a key part of the journey. Theories, feedback, art, comments — they all inform me, they fuel me, they challenge me to do better.
4. Be Consistent
Regular updates matter. In the web-novel space, connection is built week after week, chapter after chapter. I do not take that lightly.
---
IX. Personal Growth Through Writing
Writing Shadow Slave has changed me in profound ways.
I've become more disciplined. What once was a hobby is now a lifestyle.
I've learned humility. Success doesn't mean I have arrived — it means I have more to learn.
I've found a community that supports me. For every troll or pirate, there are thousands of readers who care deeply.
I've gained financial independence. While I still face uncertainty, I make a living doing what I love.
I've discovered meaning. The story of Sunny, of the Nightmare Spell, of power and survival — it reflects something universal: we all carry shadows, and we all struggle to master them.
---
X. Looking Forward: Future Visions
I don't plan to stop at Shadow Slave. This novel is a gift, but it's not my only one — I have ideas, many of them, for new stories, worlds, and characters.
Some dreams I hold close:
Writing another web novel, perhaps in a completely different genre — sci-fi, horror, or slice-of-life.
Exploring collaborations with other authors, artists, and musicians.
Seeing Shadow Slave adapted into other media — comics, animation, or even games.
Mentoring new writers, helping them navigate the difficult path of web-novel writing.
But most importantly, I want to keep writing for the same reason I started: because there is a world inside me that is still waiting to be told, and because I believe that even in the darkest places, shadows can become powerful allies.
---
XI. Closing Reflection
If I were to summarize my journey in a few lines, I would say this:
I was once a struggling game writer in Russia — uncertain, ambitious, and dreaming.
I adopted the pen name "Guiltythree," a small joke that turned into my identity.
I failed my first time as a novelist, but I refused to quit.
I gave Shadow Slave everything I had — heart, blood, creativity, and discipline.
Through it, I built a community, won recognition, and changed my life.
I write not just for myself, but for the readers who travel alongside Sunny and the Awakened.
My story is far from over.
To every reader who picks up Shadow Slave, whether you are just starting or deep in the middle arc: thank you. Your time, your thoughts, your energy mean more than you know. I hope to keep earning them, chapter by chapter.