Subject: Re: [FFML] Self-Infliction Fic - DEFINITION
From: jdlowry@unity.ncsu.edu
Date: 12/30/1996, 8:22 PM
To: KLEPPE@execpc.com (Gary Kleppe)
CC: fanfic@fanfic.com


On Sun, 29 Dec 1996 19:53:10 -0800, Adam Barnes (the non-composite
Saggitarian) wrote:

It seems a few people have taken up my new genre, namely the
Self-Infliction fic. However, to ensure compliance with the spirit of
Self-Infliction, I see I'd best point out some of the rules seperating
Self-Infliction fics from Gratuitous Self-Insertion fics.
I have a few amendments to suggest:

1. All Self-Infliction fics must elicit at least one verbalized 'ouch'
>from those reading it.

2. In a Self Infliction fic, the inserted Otaku cannot have any
beneficial powers. This does not say that he/she cannot have unusual
abilities, but that these abilities must be used to make his/her life as
hellish as possible, such as a Nyannichuan curse + Happosai + A generous
quantity of Passion Spice. A good general rule of thumb is to leave the
Otaku as he is in real life.
I'd allow super-powered Otakus as long as circumstances always
conspire to prevent the powers being used to any good effect. Like in
Magic Knight Kyone's "The Otaku," where the hero is incredibly
powerful but happens to be vulnerable to ki blasts, and happens to
materialize in just the wrong place...
Well, I think it be hard to term my fic as a Self-Infliction fic for the 
simple reason that while it is an otaku who is getting the sh*t beaten 
out of him, the Otaku is NOT meant to be me.  The only true self 
insertion fics I've written were the ones about everyone wrote, the 
Revenge fics.  Personally, I did NOT write The Otaku to get that 
verbalized "ouch", all I wanted to do was to make people laugh.


3. All preknowledge of the series that an Otaku has been inserted in
must be used to his disadvantage. For instance, and Otaku knows that
Ranma and Akane are destined for one another. He tells them such, and
informs them that they should stop bickering like five year olds and
start making babies. He is then immediately trashed by the majority of
the Ranma 1/2 cast, including Ranma and Akane.
I would say his eventual disadvantage. The vengeance of heaven is slow
but sure...
Well, in this case, it works well for both The Otaku, The Otaku Returns, 
and my soon to be released The Otaku:  The Final Reckoning.  (Shameless 
plug here!)  But anyways, the best way, (in my humble opinion), to use 
his preknowledge would be for him to be blunt with it, just like up 
here.  Though it is easy to get someone in trouble by being subtle as well...


4. Otakus must abide by the rules of the universe they are inserted
into.
Yes! Absolutely right!
For instance, the first rule of all Takahashi universes is that
the characters remain oblivious to impending doom until it is far too
late to do anything about it.
And rule number two is that characters who are in a position to do
something about their impending doom will misunderstand the nature of
the doom, or otherwise screw up. For example, an Otaku with a
sex-changing curse finds out Happosai is holding a Dirty Old Men's
Convention. He could run away to Osaka to escape, but it'll turn out
that Osaka is where the convention is being held (the Otaku forgot to
ask). 
Not much I can add to this one! :)


5. The major characters must pay no special attention to the Otakus. The
majority of the damage done to Otakus will be collateral and mainly
unnoticed by the main characters. The only time main characters will
notice the Otaku is when something extrordinarily painful is about to
happen.
Or right after such an event occurs, and reply such as this:

	The assembled characters turn and look at the (now) greasy spot on the 
	floor.
	"Ouch!  Thats gotta hurt..."


6. The Otaku cannot get a break. EVER.
Or if he does, it is only to get his hopes up, after which things will
go even more wrong than before. The Otaku with the sex-changing curse
might stumble across Jusenkyo. He'll then misunderstand the Guide's
directions and jump into the Spring of Drowned Nympho instead of the
nannichuan, as the D.O.M.C.ers approach...
That's gonna hurt those who see themselves as extremely manly....


Whaddaya think?

Gary (waiting for the vengeance of heaven...)

Gary Kleppe
kleppe@execpc.com, Home page http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe
My fanfics and the FFML map are on my comics/manga page,
       http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics


Cool!  We need to think of more!

Magic Knight Kyone