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 |  This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC |
| Self-Insert Characters This came up while discussing characters during NaNoWriMo prep. I linked to a old post about the perils of the Mary Sue/Marty Stu character in writing (right here, for those playing at home: "20240215 Mary Sue/Marty Stu (Gary Stu)"  ). However, are all self-insert characters a Mary Sue/Marty Stu?Simple answer: No. The Mary Sue is idealised and perfect and can do nothing wrong, and if something is done wrong, it all comes out right (perfect) in the end. They have more powers than everyone else, are cleverer, more intelligent and either "fix" the broken boy or end up with the dream-boat main character (especially in Mary Sue fan-fiction). They are just too perfect. Sometimes the writer is smart enough to make the character not look like them, but what they look like is what the author wishes they look like. Just too wonderful for words. However,, there is still the fact that some people insert themselves into their fiction. This is not just people writing from a first person PoV; this is when a character is so obviously the writer. This is perfectly fine. My first long works, there were definitely characters who were me. In one I was the MC, in another I was the MC's off-sider. As a beginner writer, it made writing characters easier. But a writer might also want to write their own fictional universe with them at the centre, a fictional autobiography. And, again, that is fine. The main thing, though, is that you are not perfect, so your written counterpart should not be perfect as well. And in stories that resonate with readers, the characters grow or change, so make your self-insert grow or change. They need to make mistakes. They need to not know everything. They need to really foul things up at times. They need to not be the centre of everything, able to do everything needed. Basically, like all other characters, they need to be realistic! ("20240214 Notes On Character" )So, if you want, feel free to self-insert! Just remember you are not perfect, and no character should be perfect. Don't Mary Sue/Marty Stu yourself in your work! . |
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