Of all the worst possible things, this is the worst possible thing!!! · 1:54am Nov 24th, 2011
With all forms of art there is a lot of freedom and possibilities. For the most part rules are set for beginners (like me) to help them improve until they reach the point they can freely throw off those training wheels. I myself am far from that point in any of my artistic pursuits but I occasionally pull a Kiaba and say screw the rules but there is two rules that I always follow in any story I conceive of and even think of putting to paper and that is never self insert and no Mary Sues.
These are a real no no and one I have seen all too often here and in many other places i frequent when reading.
Self Insert is one of the ultimate forms of egotism. Now many writer's don't expressively write themselves into a story by using the same name as their selves but instead insert a character that is themselves often sans their own flaws or magically their flaws and characteristics are exactly what is needed to save the day or catch the attention of their fantasy lover. If you want a perfect example of this look at the Twilight series, not the Twilight Sparkle we know and love but the one with a cardboard cutout that somehow attracts the affections of two mythological fashion models.
I will go on more about Mary Sues later but long story short they are broken characters. Broken like a fighter in a game that can pull the same cheap shot until they win no matter what you do kind of broken or like Superman without weakness to Kryptonite or Magic broken that kind of broken just ruins a story and ruins any level of tension.
While it is true that some writers cannot resist making their self-inert into a Mary Sue, if you want to see it done brilliantly (imho), look at Agatha Christie's self-insert Ariadne Oliver in a couple of her books. The author depicts her literary alter ego as somewhat cynical, nostalgic, easily-excitable author who hates her most popular character, an Finnish detective, all the while being the "incompetent" sidekick to Hercule Poirot, a celebrated Belgian detective. In this case, the self insert is a foil to the main character (not the protagonist), has great meta one-liners, and generally adds to the gentle, dry humour that I love Christie for.
So there, not all self-inserts are bad. Mary Sues, on the other hand are, even if they are not self-inserts. But I do agree, here, most self-inserts exist for the sole purpouse of shipping with the mane 6.
While it is true that some writers cannot resist making their self-inert into a Mary Sue, if you want to see it done brilliantly (imho), look at Agatha Christie's self-insert Ariadne Oliver in a couple of her books. The author depicts her literary alter ego as somewhat cynical, nostalgic, easily-excitable author who hates her most popular character, an Finnish detective, all the while being the "incompetent" sidekick to Hercule Poirot, a celebrated Belgian detective. In this case, the self insert serves as a foil to the main character, has great meta one-liners, and generally adds to the gentle, dry humour that I love Christie for.
So there, not all self-inserts are bad. Mary Sues, on the other hand are, even if they are not self-inserts. But I do agree, here, most self-inserts exist for the sole purpouse of shipping with the mane 6.
3761
You do make a good point, but I think my case still stands due to the fact I am talking about self inserts who are the main character. Having a self insert who is a minor character and has proper flaws generally would be completely outside the kind of self serving, series that I have come to despise.
And with Mary Sues the there are very few who can wield them properly and even then in a limited way. One example of a good use of Mary Sues is a manipulative character who seems to control everything and are defeated by one person out of their control. In other words they make for good villains, but not heroes.
3761
You do make a good point, but I think my case still stands due to the fact I am talking about self inserts who are the main character. Having a self insert who is a minor character and has proper flaws generally would be completely outside the kind of self serving, series that I have come to despise.
And with Mary Sues the there are very few who can wield them properly and even then in a limited way. One example of a good use of Mary Sues is a manipulative character who seems to control everything and is then defeated by one person out of their control. In other words they make for good villains, but not heroes.