Self-Insert

A character written to reflect its creator

A self-Insert is usably compared to a Mary Sue or Gary Stu and while, yes, there are plenty of Self-Inserts that are a form of wish fulfillment for an author; Self-Insert could also just be a reflection of a creator's own experience, (Especially when it's an original story/IP) helping the character become easily more relatable and fleshed out, or help create a better and more meaningful story from them to share.

An example of a Mary Sue/Gary Stu self-insert would be Velma in the show 'Velma'. Mindy Kaling, who both voices Velma and helped write the show, has outwardly said how much she related to Velma as a character when making the show to the extent that they even race-swapped her from white to Indian. Despite this claim Velma acts complete different in the show 'Velma' compared to every other piece of Scooby Doo media, clearly Mindy trying to rewrite the character to be more like her, but it just completely missed the mark and she became incredibly unlikable.
Velma is meant come off as a witty outcast but she's rather just an insufferable, hypocritical narcissist.

A good example of a Self-insert would be Dipper Pines from 'Gravity Falls'. Alex Hirsch had talked openly about how he based the Pines after his own family, Him as Dipper, His sister as Mabel and His Grandpa Stan and Grunkle Stan. Alex, however, wrote of his own experience of visiting his grandpas and hoping for something magical to happen, he still fleshed out the character as their own people, and they were super well written and likable.
(Minus those people who say Mabel is a bad person. She is a fictional twelve-year-old who wears sweaters for every outfit, grow up.)

Self-Insert by 37HoppingDeersInBlood May 22, 2026

Self Insert 

A band, involved in psychotherapy and careful coaxing of reality, located out of central florida

Self Insert takes you to a new level and steals your identity

Self Insert by wetandstink August 25, 2021

Self Insert 

Self Insert is a crazy electronic band that makes hyperactive music for hyperactive people. The band first got notoriety on TikTok and are getting broader recognition. They have many members but only two are confirmed on their website at this time:

1: Zakary Waxman
2: Sebastian Hedge

Person: Hey, did you hear Self Insert finally dropped their debut?
Me listening: Holy shit this is fucking crazy

Self Insert by rolandge87 September 26, 2021

Self Insert 

When an author or writer puts themselves into a story they have written as a character.

It is not a character in which the audience inserts themselves or can relate to. It has absolutely no relation to the audience or readers. It is specifically referencing the creator's personal avatar.

Most stories written in second person are not self inserts.

Some creators will hide the fact that they use these characters by changing their names and a few details. Self Insertion characters are frequently not even the main character in a story. Author Steven King has done this in his books on occasion.

Video game avatars that the player creates could be considered a type of self insert character if the player tries to create an approximation of themselves for the game. This is borderline as the player is limited by the creation tools and game's storyline.

Another borderline example would be creating a Tabletop RPG character. Players are often free to create backstories and design their characters as they see fit, often mirroring themselves as they imagine they would be if they existed in such a world. Though again, the player is limited by game mechanics, the whims of the DM, and the roll of the die.

The author wrote himself into the story as a self insertion character.

Self Insert by Contrabardus July 14, 2017

self insert 

that thing you find on ao3 that pisses you off when the author tags it with y/n but its actually just them

"only skibidi alphas have enough courage to write a self insert fanfiction"

self insert by CatSnow March 23, 2024

self insert 

when your mate is chatting someone up in a club and you insert yourself into their conversation, cockblocking and doing your mate a shitty.

fuck off you self inserting piece of shit

self insert by shadowedclouds April 6, 2024

Self insert

Using a character, either pre existing or one you've made yourself, to represent yourself. Most commonly found in fanfiction or edits.

"Oh, yeah! I use insert character as a self insert because they're literally me!"

Self insert by jestershandmaid May 1, 2026