On Self inserts

From Dante to Tolstoy to Dan Brown, it seems like self inserts are and old technique with very different results depending of the author.

What are your favorite and most hated self inserts books or characters?

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I think one problem with self inserts is they’re more likely to be made flawless and always correct. I suppose they can be fine so long as they’re properly challenged by the narrative and given a proper arc.

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It requires a level of sincerity and emotional vulnerability which is anathema to most people, a certain distance of perception :marseythirdeye: is required for people's revelation of their innermost thoughts to the world, something which makes it appear as if it's speaking about hypotheticals rather than the actual author.

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That's an interesting one. Are self-inserts less distasteful and kitchy if they're properly flawed characters?

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That's introspective

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