Self-Insert

Sometimes they just want to belong. Sometimes they want more than to belong. Sometimes they want others to belong to them. And then they're trouble.

A self-insert, sometimes abbreviated to SI, is an original character meant to represent the author. Other characters that are copies of people other than the author his- or herself (typically people the author knows) are not self-inserts, but should be approached with a similar frame of mind.

Self-inserts can range from being relatively reasonable original characters to being idealized Mary Sue versions of the author. Often, SIs in humorfic are aware of their status as self-inserts.

Self-insert fic is not inherently bad. However, self-insert badfic is common enough that it can be considered a whole badfic genre, with recurring themes and associated patterns in much the same way as typical Suefic or bad slash.

Self-Inserts and Mary Sues

Self-inserts are not always Mary Sues, although there is a very heavy stigma against self-inserts because they are a very easy way to make Mary Sues.

Mary Sues are very lazy, and there is nothing lazier than simply taking the real author and 'upgrading' all of her traits to make her smarter, better, and more awesome than she otherwise would be. At the same time, self-insert Mary Sues often disregard the actual positive or interesting traits of a real person, preferring more 'cool' alternatives. In other words, in the search for what the author wishes she could have, she discards everything she really is.

This is by no means a good thing, but it is also a fairly recognizable stage in writing ability. While Sues of this variety are perfectly fine to make fun of, and the author is to blame, the author doesn't deserve to be hated or attacked for his/her creation. There are few people in the world who don't wish to be stronger or better than they are. It's only maturity and experience that allows writers to move past this stage.

On the flip side, there are plenty of good self-inserts that are well-rounded representations of the individual they are supposed to represent and are legitimate characters in their own right. They, too, should not be mocked for being what they are.

Self-Inserts and Avatars

Avatars are not self-inserts. A self-insert is a character that is meant to BE the author him/herself, regardless of name changes, different origin, or added powers/abilities. An avatar is merely an author's representation in the work, whether to promote their ideals or to communicate the author's message. An avatar may be similar to a self-insert, may have a similar background, or may even be an allegory for an author's experiences, but is not meant to represent the author directly.

Self-Inserts in Fanfiction

Self-inserts often cross over the Real World and another continuum. They usually do this one or more of three ways:

• Bringing canon characters to the Real World. In what is known as Trans-Dimensional Snatching, the self-insert snatches a character away from their home story. Done well, this can be an interesting fish-out-of-water story that explains how fiction-land and the Real World both manage to exist. Done badly, this is kidnapping and date rape.

• Traveling from the Real World to another continuum. In what is known as Trans-Dimensional Hopping, the self-insert hops from their world to another. Done well, this can be an exploration into the world of a canon through the eyes of a normal, unadjusted person that reveals exactly what it's like to try and adapt to such a drastically different setting. Done badly, this is just another tag-along Mary Sue that derails the plot.

• Forming a 'neutral ground' setting and both snatching and hopping at the same time. This is very uncommon, but a Sue can use a neutral ground to interact with characters rather than picking between going to a canon or snatching from one.

Many self-inserts in fanfiction are used in humor fics so that the author can pretend to hang out with their favorite character or characters. This often breaks the Fourth Wall to varying levels. How the characters feel and react to this varies with how out of character they are and how reality-bending the SI is. The reaction of canon characters often ranges the full gamut from slavish obedience and adoration to full-out hate for the SI in question. One very common setting for SIs is the Subreality Cafe where the much abused characters can hang out and have a few drinks. SIs appear in the form of authors.

Several fandoms have their own version of the Subreality Cafe. One of the busiest is for Doctor Who.

Rarer than self-inserts in humor fics are SIs who are in serious (non–canon-breaking) fanfic wherein the SI fully participates in the world.

Means of Crossing Over Universes

There are four main ways to portray the relationship between the self-insert, the Real World, and a canon. All others are permutations of these four:

1. The Real World and the canon take place in separate universes. This means that a self-insert will have to travel through dimensions and reality to get there. Often this version of snatching and hopping involves a plot device to make transit possible, such as a T.V. Portal or the 'I died in a car crash and I am now in another world!' explanation.
2. The Real World and the canon take place in the same universe, but an alternate reality. This means that the canon is a sort of AU to the Real World where the elements of the canon are true. This is most plausible for settings that take place on Earth. As in the first explanation, a plot device is usually needed for travel.
3. The Real World and the canon take place in the same universe, in the same reality. This means that the Real World is happening in the same space as the canon, but perhaps not the same time or location. A good canon case of this is Star Wars, which happens in the same universe as World One Earth, but 'A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...'
4. The self-insert does not include the Real World. Occasionally, the self-insert will have been made such that they live in the canon universe originally, rather than relying solely on universe-hopping. This is more common in canon universes that are modern (or modern-like). Thus you are more liable to see an SI who has lived in Metropolis or Tokyo their whole life rather than one who was born in Bree or Mossflower Woods. This does not always prevent the SI from kidnapping the canon characters, however.

Dealing with Self-Inserts in a Mission

Non–Mary-Sue self-inserts are not to be assassinated. If they respect the canon and bend it only for sensible/truly funny/understandable reasons, they are to be left alone. However, if it is very clear that the character is not a fully realized character but merely a Sue that has taken on the author's guise, terminate with extreme prejudice.

However, it is possible to encounter a self-insert that is not actually a Sue in a fanfic bad enough to be charged with crimes against canon. These can simply be taken back home through a portal, as they are a legitimate AU version of the real author with a home in an alternate universe of the author's creation.

Despatch usually handles cases of Trans-Dimensional Snatching and Trans-Dimensional Hopping, but if the snatcher/hopper in question is very, very blatantly a Mary Sue and correcting anachronisms/escorting the self-insert safely back home is not an issue, the mission may be given to the Department of Mary Sues instead.

Self-Inserts in the PPC

Many agents in the PPC can be considered incarnations of their author counterpart and thus self-inserts. However, anyone who suggests this to some agents might be spending some time in Medical for 'self-inflicted' injuries.