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Well, I'm making another topic. One that is about things we talk about regularly, and usually use as an insult. Yes, I'm talking about self-inserts.

A self insert is usually frowned upon. Whether it's in original or fan fiction, a lot of people will label them Sue or Stu ad turn away. A few individuals will take time to scan it and point out any Sue like qualities the author's avatar might have, and laugh.

Then there are people like me. I believe I am in a very small minority. Small than our group here. I ENJOY self inserts most of the time. I enjoy looking at the work people put into them, the added plot. I love seeing characters that are REAL people, where the author freely admits it! No hiding behind horrible aliases, or covering up anything, or even adding false experiences to make themselves into a sob story. An honest person, full of flaws and good traits, fears and likes, emotions, everything. I dearly hope I'm not the only one.

Then people abuse that power. They say it's them, when in all honesty it isn't. Their characters have no flaws, perfect relationships, and an angsty past. They have their names, likes, dislikes, and prejudices. Oh yes, they can be awful, but they aren't ever called out on it. Sometimes they will not even go it and say so, putting a false name that sounds majestic. Bella Swan comes to mind here for me. They get "everything right." Everyone loves them. They look beautiful. That is where they cross the line. And sadly, those stories dominate the fiction section.

Those are the stories that give the good authors a bad name. Yes, Twilight is the epitome of a bad self insert. Yes, it has pure wish fulfillment. And sadly, that's how most of them are. I will laugh at a poorly attempted one. I will mock it, and will hope for the author to improve. But really, not all of them are bad.

Look at Two Worlds Combine by Venus Tenshi, for you Tales of Symphonia fans. Flipped Up Reality for FFIX fans. Another example? Tales of yet Another Self insert by whatsername427. I'm sure there's plenty that I've never seen.

But, what is a self insert? Simply put, it's the author being put into the story. very hard to do correctly. Want an idea of a bad one I thought up on the spot?

Shadows of the Past » by Lovelyflowers
I got sucked into Shibuya during the reapers game of week two! Now what happens if Neku and Josh fall in love with me?
Rated: T - English - General/Romance - Chapters: 23 - Words: 10,021 - Reviews: 19 - Updated: 10-17-09 - Published: 9-15-09 - Neku S/ Yoshiya K./Joshua

Now then... Where to begin?

First off, I died inside writing that little bit. Let me assure you, this story is depicting a separate universe, and all resemblances to real fics is coincidental.

For the analysis, let me start on the summary. That barely tells me anything. If that story even drew me in, it would be out of morbid curiosity. I'd be hoping that it had been written on a bad day. I would be hoping for a plot. But then I would glance at the other stats.

No genre outside of romance. Does that seem odd to anyone? For a story that is one huge mind screw, wouldn't there be something, I don't know.. like adventure? Mystery? Action? By the Composer...

The chapters and publish date would worry me. I know several people can crank out many chapters at a time. But coupled with the word count, it would either take a lot of masochism and boredom for me to get near this, or a severe lack of coffee.

Then the characters. I HIGHLY doubt Neku would fall for someone other than Shiki. Call me a shipper. I don't care. But it took a lot of work for even THAT to happen. She had to work with him during the first week, where he had no memory of his life before the Game. She worked for everything during that bit. He fought her every step of the way, but they still sort of like each other at the end of Week One. Do you really believe he would go for some random girl from nowhere, who in all rights shouldn't speak a lick of Japanese correctly?

Oh, and Joshua... Yeah, no. I don't see him falling for anyone, either. Maybe it's because of certain plot things that are revealed that I will not go in to. But it's mostly because, despite my utter fan girlishness, he's a bit of an a**. He wouldn't let anyone get close, either. Look at him: his view of humanity is as low as Neku's! Mine is, too... But that isn't the point. So there goes that! Unless, of course, you murder his personality. Canon twisting? Fail, go sit in a corner with Meyer.

And how do you even get into Shibuya, speak Japanese, when you're from England or America? Most people don't think of that when making an SI. There's usually some sort of half-explanation that fails more than Smeyer logic, true, but it's not satisfying. That could be fixed with decent planning. Like, I don't know, plan the important details out beforehand?

All problems I have with bad self inserts.Let's see if you can find others in my example, hmm? Well, if you want to. Not necessary, of course, but you can kind of see where I'm going here.

As much as I like good ones, I know a fair majority are awful things that should be tossed in a heap. Sad but true. Ever looked at "Assassin's Creed's" section? Warning you: Don't unless you're ready for a treasure hunt.

What prompted this?
I've been looking through posts lately. Old ones, new ones, all that I can see. And quite a few people have used "self insert" as an insult. Not even really specifying it, leaving it as SI. Kind of makes me feel uncomfortable.

Also, there are other authors who put themselves in their stories. Think about it: Is it hard to relate to a character you've created if they're not like you in any way? Do you unintentionally put a bit of yourself into a character? Some authors do put quite a few of their own qualities in their characters. Some can even pull off an avatar of themselves. In a few video games, that might work. You're even encouraged to do so in a couple of them!

Also, I... happen to be a SI writer. I work for the plot, I make my own. I create real OCs, too. Sure, I'm too embarrassed by them to publish. I also wouldn't do so until I had my plot holes filled in. I know I'm not the only one.

yes, I suppose that some people will throw me in a fire yelling "SUE!" because of it. Yeah, not going to happen. I kept myself the way I am. Flaws, weaknesses, emotions, reactions, the works. No romance at all, and certainly not with a canon character. I have a plot, a back story, a way for me to know this stuff. My past is not angsty. It's MY past. That can separate a good story from a bad one.And it makes me slightly sad that most people would yell at me for even thinking of my plot. Mostly because of the fact it's an SI.

Please, I'm begging you here, don't lump me in with the awful thing that is known as Twilight. I know where wish fulfillment is. I know what a Mary Sue is. I know how bad a self insert can be if messed up and twisted beyond all recognition. Practically every single good SI writer knows this. Yes, we're not common compared to the mass of crap that is the Sue area. But we exist, and we damn well try our hardest to stay clear of that pit.

So, can we get along here?

If you read all of this, I'll give you a plushie of your favorite video game, book, or anime character.

Discussion wanted! Very badly, in fact. I just want to know I won't be utterly shunned for this...

Oh, good. Thanks for even trying to get through it! It is... a bit long, huh? sweatdrop
And I'm glad to see it's not going to be as uncommon. I really just wanted to people to know, and went from there.

Hmm... I can understand that. Most people FAIL EPICALLY at them. And then there are people who can pull them off in certain sections. Sadly... They seem confined to a very few areas from what I've seen.

Sorry to hear that, though.