-----Original Message-----
From: Guy Under The Bridge . [SMTP:the_supergenius@hotmail.com]
Sent: 07 August 1998 20:00
To: fanfic@fanfic.com
Subject: [FFML] Regarding self-insertion fics
[Row David] Such an intersting little flame-trawl this is. Lets
analyse some of it as I comment...
If I had to respond to every self-insertion fic in this list I would
probably be banned for flooding the ML with flames (even though I never
flame, I just critique).
[Row David] Odd, I dind't think you _had_ to comment or respond on
anything, particularly if you didn't write it. Maybe this is some strange
sort of compulsion you are under (Igor, the hacksaw, ve must investigate ziz
further!)
I will now critique every self-insertion fic
ever made and all self-insertion fics yet to be made.
[Row David] Ah, I see. So you have not only ready every self
insertion fic ever written, but all the ones going to be. And, of couese,
not just the anime ones. I don't think its even worth pointing out the
illogical nature of your statement.
I will never understand the mentality behind self-insertion fics.
[Row David] That makes sense, after all, SI fics _do_ have a
mentality behind them... :P
They
have no purpose.
[Row David] No purpose. Well, lets see. That seems rather strange,
since writing a fic is a lot of work, it would seem logical that (even if
its only to the person writing) that it _does_ have a purpose, neh?
What was my purpose in writing a semi-SI fic? Personally, I wanted
to see what would happen if a vaguely RW character was dropped into an anime
as a pawn, rather than being in control.
They have no dramatic value.
[Row David] Would you care to define what 'dramatic value' IS?
They are not entertaining,
except, one assuages, for the writer.
[Row David] Well, I guess one of the reasons we publish the fics we
write is in the hope that they will entertain someone. And certainly there
are plenty of SI fics that have recieved letters from people saying they
enjoyed them. Since this is a _fact_, unlike your opinions, your statement
is demonstratably incorrect.
Now, I -do- understand that people like to talk about themselves--this
is also a childish impulse that people grow out of (the cappuccino
silver-spoon carried-through-life adults are the exception). All
self-insertion fics are the products of minds that are (still) immature.
[Row David] My, so you _never_ talk about yourself?? A unique
case...:)
I apologize to all offended parties, but I call them as I see them.
[Row David] No you don't. It is blatantly obvious from your earlier
statements that you are not interested in the slightest in apologising. And
since there are (to put it politely) gaping holes in your statements, if you
see things like this I hope you don't drive...
[Row David] Hmm, having gone through your points, maybe I should
say why I wrote a sorta-SI fic.
First, I was interested in the idea of doing something along this
line but different. Agreed, SI fics have got a bad rep, mainly because so
many are unmitigated wish-fulfilment rubbish, but there are good ones in the
pile. You just have to look a little harder. I wanted to see what might
happen if the RW character dropped in was a pawn, rather than being in
control, and also try to have him respond in a believable fashion to the
sort of things that happen in an anime world.
Now, despite our best efforts, our environment _does_ affect us. So
as I continued, I find the character diverging steadily from the RW. I make
no apologies for this, as character development over time is a mainstay of
fiction. HOW he develops is perhaps the interesting point. And of course how
the bad traits we all have impact on others in the fic.
Does this make the story worth reading? I think it does, but then I
am blatantly biased. Others will have to judge after reading themselves. If
they decide they wont read anything from this genre I understand - I dont
ask them to. But I _do_ object if they start making comments about things
they haven't read.
Finally, a point on criticism.
One of the main reasons the FFML is here is to give critical
feedback, a vital part of producing a good story. There are a number of ways
of giving criticism which will be listened to.
(1) Criticise with details - whay you didn't like, _why_ you didn't
like it - and if possible what might be a solution, in your opiniion.
(2) Be a good enough (in the FFML commumity) writer or critic that
people will take notice even if you cant put things into words.
Now so far I can't see your criticisms falling into either of the
above. Of course, I could have missed seeing your stories, it's a busy list.
Perhaps youd care to post a few references to them?
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