Self-insertion - Fanlore

Self-insertion

Synonyms:
See also: Mary Sue, Anywhere But Here
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When an author appears in his or her own story, either explicitly or in thinly-disguised form, the result is self-insertion.

Mary Sues are often self-insert characters, although they tend to be idealized rather than realistic versions of their authors. Authors may also write self-inserts as humor (for example, in metafic featuring an author arguing with her characters) or as an in-joke (for example, making an extremely minor character a self-insert that will only be recognized by friends).

Self-insertion in Canon

Wesley Crusher on Star Trek is widely considered to be a self-insert character for his creator, Gene Wesley Roddenberry. In the Dark Tower series of books by Stephen King, Stephen King appears as a character in the sixth and seventh books.