Talk:Self-insertion

Self-insert vs. author character
Since there's a separate article for author character, the difference between these two concepts (if there is one) should probably be discussed here, for the same reason author surrogate does. -Silence 22:35, 11 September 2005 (UTC)


 * I agree. The main - perhaps only? - difference that I can see is that the term "self-insertion" is used almost exclusively in the fan fiction writing community, where it's in extremely widespread use. It seems to me that this is the only real distinction between the two terms. Runa27 22:05, 27 October 2006 (UTC)


 * I must say, I believe Robert Jordan's Rand al'Thor deserves a mention as a blatant self-insertion. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.235.106.69 (talk) 13:03, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

These two terms 'author surrogate' and 'self-insertion' are closely related. A character becomes an author surrogate when s/he voices the opinions of the author and the author by doing so assumes self-insertion. Therefore, if we are looking at it from the perspective of the author we say it is 'self insertion' but when we are talking about it from the perspective of a character we say 'author surrogate'. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.63.1.11 (talk) 08:09, 31 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Is there a naming distinction between the following:
 * a literary device where the author (probably with intent) uses a character to voice their the author's opinions, and
 * a character with whom the author (perhaps unconsciously) self-identifies, therefore idealized in nacissistic excess?
 * If you haven't guessed already, I'm trying to edit the Mary Sue article, and am looking for some perspective. I notice the term Mary Sue (decribing the latter case) being used outside fanfic, and am wondering if a better term already exists in literary criticism. / edg ☺ ☭ 19:31, 4 February 2013 (UTC)

Self-Insertion vs. Author surrogate
I still find the article rather vague. Does the term "Self-Insertion" refer to the author being present in the work under their real name, as some of the examples suggest? If so, then it is a distinct term from "author surrogate"? But this should be explained clearly, instead of the wooly and inaccurate "idealized character". If not, I don't see a real distinction between this and "author surrogate". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.36.50.226 (talk) 08:02, 10 January 2017 (UTC)

I think self-insert and author surrogate might benefit from merging and explaining the nuances within one article? As far as I can tell, the same thing happend with author character. Ynneblack (talk) 14:18, 24 January 2021 (UTC)

Velma addition seems irrelevant
The final example (Velma) is neither a clear example of a Self-Insert or Author character, nor is it presented in a neutral manner. Additionally, the claims made don't seem relevant to the article itself, and the links provided don't support the argument. The article is to provide examples of works with Self-Insert characters, not to make judgements about the works themselves. Interested to hear if others agree or disagree, but I don't consider it a notable addition to the list, at least in its current state. 118.92.131.40 (talk) 02:48, 24 January 2024 (UTC)