What Is Self-insert?
6.5BRAINROT SCORESelf-Insert Fanfiction in which the author writes a version of themselves into the story as a character.
Origin:Predates the 'Mary Sue' concept: a cited 1969 Star Trek fanfic, 'Once Upon a Star Trek,' already used self-insertion, with fan-club members' avatars written as OCs related to canon characters, before 'Mary Sue' (1973) or 'self-insert' terminology existed. Self-insertion was not automatically stigmatized until Mary Sue codified the critique.
First Seen:1969
Peak Era:long-running fandom practice, predates and outlasts the Mary Sue critique framework
Aura Impact:+1 Aura (writing a self-insert with self-awareness) / -1 Aura (self-insert wish-fulfillment with zero flaws written in)
EXAMPLE USAGE
"In the self-insert fic, the author's own OC gets adopted by the ship's captain by chapter three."
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