-----Original Message-----
From:	David Johnston [SMTP:rgorman@telusplanet.net]
Sent:	Thursday, September 17, 1998 7:03 PM
To:	ffml@fanfic.com
Subject:	[FFML] On Self Insertion

You know, it's not true that SIs are "usually godlike".  At this point
there are plenty of SIs about ordinary goofs who for some reason become
instant friends with the heros of the series and get to date Nabiki or 
become the fifth Knight Saber...

	[Row David]  OK, this is true...

That being the case, I wish self inserters would stop putting that 
silly, "Unlike the others my character will not be godlike" disclaimer 
in, particularly since those who dislike SIs don't dislike them for the
godlike powers they are given.  Typically a Self Insert is given 
slightly more power than the average major character (but frequently not 
more than the lead), is pampered by having all of his favourite 
characters instantly like him as much as he likes them and can use his
omniscient knowledge of the people and events of the series to twist 
them as he desires.  

	[Row David]  Now here I beg to differ.
	First, I don't believe there is a 'typical' self insert.
	Second, there are a lot of self insert stories that dont fall into
these traps.
	Your statement is, therefor, rather sweeping.

	Lets see, in the semi-SI I wrote, the character has no powers, is a
pawn the entire time, and survives becuase everyone else is taking the flak
while he looks on. The anime characters dont trust him, certainbly dont show
him any respect, and in particular he has NO idea of what's going on!

	So perhaps your statement should be modified a little? I would agree
its correctly typicla of a bad SI story....

Why do people dislike this?  The Self Inserter is obviously fond of 
himself and will frequently distort character and plot to make himself
the center of attention, rather than concentrating on writing good 
character and plot.  Further, all too often, the Self Inserter simply is 
not a good character in his own right, perhaps because he's basicly 
dull, or because the Self Inserter isn't prepared to reveal his 
character in sufficient depth to make himself a good character.  

	[Row David]  But any author is always fond of the characters he
uses. Particularly to SI or new chaarcters. If he wasn't, he wouldn't spend
all that time writing about them!!
	I'm not sure how you justify 'not a good character in his own right'
	Does being dull make someone a 'bad' character? Many people in RL
_are_ dull; shoudl anime be different?

	The point about revelation is true, in a limited sense. But how much
of the typical anime character is revealed in this way? And how much
self-revealment would be recognised??

 
That's not to say there haven't been good self-inserts.  I can think 
of three.  Bubblegum Zone, that Gaffney Crystal Tokyo thing, and some of
Godboy's series (although I think it's a smidgeon on the aimless side,
so is a great deal of OMG).  There are a couple of others, where 
character inserted is more like Everyfan than the author that aren't
bad.

All in all thought, too many self-inserters never stop to wonder "Am I a 
good character?", and "Are people reacting believable to me?"  Hey, 
that's OK.  Self insertion is frequently written for the benefit of 
the author, not the readers.  But if you are wondering why nobody seems
to like your self-insert, ask yourself these questions.