An author inserting him or herself into a story that they are writing is
not a bad thing in and of itself.  It is all the baggage that usaully goes
along with it.  The 'fic is usually quickly turned into an ego-fest, where
the author saves the world, solves everyones personal problems, gets the
babes, has the best haircut, and pretty much overshadows everyone else.  

	That is a problem; however, it's just as egotistical to write a
story in which everyone feels sorry for you as it is to write a story in
which everyone admires you.

In my opinion, this problem is easily solved by simply renaming the 
character.  It can be a carbon copy of you down to the wart on your
left knee, but if the character has a different name, *no one* will
catch on (unless you're on IRC or something).

And yes, there are good author fics.  Oh My God being the one in my
head right now.  G'day, Brett.

--Sean Gaffney
--"YOu git!  I thought you were dead!  Git git git!" - Benny, No Future