Zero Blogs: Self-Insert · 3:52pm Feb 26th, 2016
Ah Self-Insert.
The very word fills fanfic readers with dread. When a writer tries to insert him/herself into a fictional universe as a character. This typically doesn't end very will as the character comes across as less of a character and more of an act of wish fulfillment on the writer's part. The character is made flawless, overpowered, and adored by everyone around him/her. Words like Gary-Stu and Mary Sue get thrown around so often that people have forgotten what they're supposed to mean.
For that, allow me to use a definition given by former fandom member BronyCurious:
A Mary Sue/Gary Stu is a character that is so perfect that they are not challenged by the events of the narrative.
Making a character that flies as fast as Rainbow Dash? Not a Mary Sue
Making a character the fastest flier in all of Equestria by a large margin? Mary Sue
This also applies when fighting villains. a fan-made character in the same universe as the canon ones has no business beating canonical villains that the heroes cannot.
Having a character beat Chrysalis in a fight? Acceptable since she's implied to be weaker than both Celestia and Twilight without her love boost.
Having a character beat Tirek in a fight? Unacceptable since he's one of the few opponents to be fought directly and Twilight couldn't beat him even with the power of four alicorns.
I mentioned before that I was thinking about putting myself into the Shineverse once it got up and running. And I don't take such decisions like that lightly. I beat my brains out until I found a good role for my character and a good power-set for him. One that I feel would work for the benefit for not just me, but the story as a whole. Because as I've said before, the plot comes first. I have no reason to try and steal the spotlight in something I'm already making for myself to begin with.
TL;DR? Trying to make a self-insert without making him a Gary-Stu. I believe I can do it.
So... Are we talking main character or side character?
3778681 Tritagonist.
He's in a different group from the Humane 7. His plots sometimes intersect with theirs.
3778725
Okay, so it's like late-Shippuden Naruto, where most of Naruto and Sasuke's stories don't intersect most of the time?
3778848 I wouldn't know. I stopped watching Naruto after the timeskip when Sakura got booted off to the side and ignored.
3778870 Is that why you have a love-hate relationship with that show? (Sorry, just curious.)
3779012 The poor treatment of the female characters coupled with the constant excusing and shilling of the Uchias got old really quickly. The tipping point was when Sakura tried to excuse Sasuske's actions even though he nearly killed her twice.
3792353
Oh, like Amy Rose in the Sonic Series. Gotcha.