Here, have some 16 characters.
Self-Insertion Within Fiction.
-
Here, have some 16 characters.
-
Well, the ideal place for me would be either a main character or supporting one. As long as it isn't too obvious, as you mentioned, a self-insertion can work in most scenarios.
It all depends on the writing. That's the key point that makes or breaks the character.
-
I admit I did it.
Of course, my character was kind of a loser and had all my faults (indecisiveness, too trusting, nervous).
So, it depends on how good you are as a character. Like for example, no one wants to read about you being a fucking son of Zeus and immortal vampire queen.
No one who read the fic knew it was a self-insertion, since alot of my real life character traits don't translate well into typing and people don't know me IRL who read my fics.
-
Depends on how specific you get.
Someone can write a story about a character using elements, background, etc. of themselves and have it be perfectly fine as long as the character has believable faults and so on.
But if someone directly inserts themselves in the story, it's usually best as a brief cameo or something.
Actually, if the author is good enough, he can self-insert himself as a pseudo-omniscient and have it be pretty awesome and hilarious (Kurt Vonnegut).
But yeah, ultimately comes down to the overall skills of the writer.
-
If the author does it as a brief in-joke or to poke at fun at themselves a bit, than I quite like it.
As long as they don't make themselves some kind of all powerful superhuman that is given a cliched past and anime hair, then it's just borderline self-worship.
-
@Earthworm:
As long as they don't make themselves some kind of all powerful superhuman that is given a cliched past and anime hair, then it's just borderline self-worship.
One word: Gonterman.
-
Is Gohn thinking of self-inserting himself in his own story?
Anyways, I like this method best when the author only has "himself" appear for a cameo, like some others have said; with very few, if any, lines of dialogue and they don't effect the story all that much.
Brawl FC: 1848-1356-2850
-
I always thought of putting myself as a minor villian in a story, but I haven't cuz I thought people would think I was being a conceited dick for doing as such. Admittedly I was gonna make myself pretty awesome tho (albeit with some big believable character flaws) Probably gonna still do it anyway tho for kicks.
-
@Tommy:
Two words: Christopher Paolini.
Fixed your post for you.
I PLIGHT MY TOTH
Hidden:
93Jjel1euaQ
-
Fixed your post for you.
This oughta be good.
Edit: Oh, it's the guy who wrote Urragon. I was gonna have lulz at his expense. Never mind.
-
This post is deleted!
-
In the story I'm writing, I have an uber-powerful, practically perfect super-god type "author" character who shows up occasionally. However, because my series is mostly humor-based, this is done partially for the purpose of parodying self-inserts.
Though I don't know if that applies, since the "Author" character in my story is not actually a representation of me.
Either way, my "author" character, unlike the stuff you find in half-assed fanfiction, actually has a legitimate reason for being inserted. I'll dig up that old thread in case anyone wants to know it…
So, I think self-insertion can be good if the author's appearance has a believable plot-related reason. Or if it's a gag series, which can lead to some pretty funny stuff if done right.
-
I don't really mind it, as long as it's realistic, and the author admits that he doesn't really think of himself as some superpowered ninja with the power to destroy the universe. 'Cause if he really does think of himself like that…well, that'd be kinda weird. But, yeah, if he points out his own flaws in the story, I see no problem with it.
-
The main villain of the story is the Comic Eater, who is much like Galactus in that he goes around devouring comic universes, and he's targeted this one. See, In my universe, the characters are actually in a comic (though they don't become aware of it until later in the story), which adds to the overall silliness of it all.
The Comic Eater attempts to eat my own comic universe, and so the author of the comic must enter his own universe and team up with his own characters to fight this menace (The reason the author can not simply write the Eater out of existance is that the Eater was not created by the Author, and an author can not destroy what he did not create.)
That's basically the story behind my author character's role.
-
Why do I have the mental image of Kurt Vonnegut as an all powerful superhuman that is given a cliched past and anime hair.
How well it'd work for your story depends on your story. I mean, I usually enjoy a self parody or even a metafictional cameo then a character that is the author's mouthpiece. But yeah, I guess it really depends on your story and how well you can write it so that people don't immediately see your character and cry Maryingohn Sue.
-
I always thought of putting myself in as a villain who later reforms himself.
-
But seriously, any of the shit I do, I never put myself in.
However, all the characters who play the straight man, I always make their birthday in March, the month I was born in. But that's it. -
This post is deleted!
-
Well, how apparent will it be that it's you? I mean, if I read it and knew very little about you would I get the impression that it's an author avatar in your canon or just another wacky character?
-
I have characters that are pretty much embodiments of issues I have, I got one for insecurity, one for dealing with society, and one for letting out all the bad energy.
But I havn't put myself in a story since I was 13. Maybe I'm generalizing but unless your some kind of masochist thats usually fantasizing just north of the masturbation line.
-
This post is deleted!
-
I don't really have a problem with self-insertion. As long as the character isn't super-cool like everyone has already said. If I ever did it, my character would be more like Rock Lee (but less cool) or something.
I always thought Rohan from JoJo's part IV might have been self-insertion to some extent. And then I recently checked Wikipedia, and it seems I'm not the only one who thinks so. But I don't know if Araki has ever said so or not.
-
What do you guys think about basing most of the characters off of people you know, with exaggerated traits?
Now I did that all the time in my SOL and SAT essays, which got perfect scores despite the fact they sounded like G.I. Joe Endings.
Here's a basic, quick sketch to let you judge for yourself [and yeah, that's how I really look]: http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l9…gohnSketch.jpg
Do you really wear an eyepatch like that?
If so, you're either really stupid or really bold.
In my town people get beat up for that.
I always thought Rohan from JoJo's part IV might have been self-insertion to some extent
The part where Rohan insults Americans for not being capable of understanding his works seem like something Araki would say, going by other statements he's apparently made.
Araki sounds like a jerk with stuff like that. I mean I like JoJo, but it's not top of the line genius.
OH SHI-
-
This post is deleted!
-
Wow.
That's a pretty big statement of how much self-esteem you have. It takes major balls to do that.
Atleast you don't wear a Naruto headband. Those guys suck.
OH SHI-
-
This post is deleted!
-
Gohn, I'm afraid your position in the Four Horsemen is now under review.
-
That's more intimidating then me.
I mean, look at that. I look almost like some annoying perky manga character.
Which ironically is what my self-insertions are usually.
I wish I looked like the guy in my avatar. A real fuck-you-up bastard man.
-
This post is deleted!
-
I served on a jury with a fellow with an eyepatch
I really wanted to ask about it, but I never did
the bigot who thinks being an asshole is actually worth shit
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slick_Rick
gohn is this you
-
I read Dante's Inferno, and I thought it was kinda funny how he thought that he would never go to Hell, and how he just picked people he didn't like to just go to Hell.
That's a more serious form of self-insertion, but it can be interpreted as pretty pathetic nowadays.
-
Yea, but Dante made himself look human, though…
He faints and acts like a pussy throughout the whole ordeal.
-
gohn.. anychance you could make your sketch a bit darker? all I can see is an eye an eye-patch and a tongue.
-
This post is deleted!
-
I really don't care for self-insertions very much, as most of them are fangirls trying to get to characters they like, and poorly written stuff. I will admit that there are those rare ones that actually fit though, I just haven't read many of them.
I think as long as the character is balanced, doesn't out-shine anyone, and is well written, then a self insertion can be acceptable to me.
Gohn, you look insane. Thats what I wish my Dad looked like.
-
Gohn, there's only one question you need to ask yourself about self-insertion:
Are you ready for demented fangirls to pair you in their sick yaoi doujins?
Brawl FC: 1848-1356-2850
-
Gohn, there's only one question you need to ask yourself about self-insertion:
Are you ready for demented fangirls to pair you in their sick yaoi doujins?
Local-chan has already done it for most of the people on the forum so too late anyway I guess.
-
Didn't Oda make Shanks himself?
-
I think he only said that the personality-wise, Shanks was most like himself.
-
This post is deleted!
-
Much better. I can almost make things out now =P ok, it's not that bad I can make things out now…
(don't know why but everything on my computer seems kinda light in the greyscale but if i mess with contrast the colours get fucked up)
-
S'fine. Tend to sketch very lightly, anyway, so it doesn't show up too well. Had already fiddled with the sharpness, but blew it up even more for you.
Anyway, to get back on topic, some of you haven't given your opinion of the actual question, so.
-
Well, yes, if it's his personality, then it's him. I know Oda doesn't have one arm, is red-haired, has a scar across his right eye, and cut a cloud in half.
-
Gohn, there's only one question you need to ask yourself about self-insertion:
Are you ready for demented fangirls to pair you in their sick yaoi doujins?
Good god, come to think of it I look like the guy who probably would be put with like, Komrade x Naruto, Komrade x Lyserg, Komrade x Ron Weasely.
I sure hope as hell Impel Down doesn't draw me pregnant though. :blink:
-
The great Chaucer was self-inserted in the Canterbury Tales, so why not?
I could never do self-insertion myself though, I'm way too boring to be a literary character.
-
I could never do self-insertion myself though, I'm way too boring to be a literary character.
You could always be a Naruto character.
-
No, my parents are still alive
-
@Impel:
Well, yes, if it's his personality,
How the hell did you get "THAT IS MY PERSONALITY" from "I'm most like him".
-
I could never do self-insertion myself though, I'm way too boring to be a literary character.
You're preaching to the choir.
