On Mon, 15 Dec 1997, P-R-P-Chan wrote:

<rant>well.. I've noticed something.. odd.. about the FFML.. even though
most people (including me, the author of one) have an intense dislike of the
ego trips that are self-insertion fics, for some reason... I can't

*chuckle*

I wouldn't say that.  I'd say people put self-insertion under a LOT more
scrutiny than they do most other fics.  Now, this is based on my
experience with Oh! My Brother!, but I think it's valid.

When I started that fic, I was terrified.  I still am.  Let's be honest,
you don't get much more wish fuffilment than becoming a god.  I constantly
have to watch and check myself when I write that fic, to make sure it's
still an entertaining and a fun read.

Given, a good part of that is the fact that the writing style I use is
"Chris's Lateral Thinking Theatre", which allows for some funny scenes,
particularly with my brand of self-depreciating humor. One of my favorites
is my reaction to Odin:

"...  I expected someone taller.

OK, maybe I AM obsessed with height."

But another major portion is that I had to keep the story interesting
without it becoming "Chris's cool life".  The "falling in love" bit was
nice, but I doubt it would have been really boring if it wasn't for
Urd's...er...'help' and the...er...'complications' with a second wish.  

I'm constantly trying to make sure that I keep the story interesting for
my readers.  I invited Phillip Masters to do a side story, because I
thought it could be fun.  I'm actively bringing in another guy, my
prereader Colin Simmonds, because I think it would add something to the
fic.

And people seem to value that.  If I was to drop any of my ongoing
projects, the last one would be OMB, simply because people like it.  Yes,
it's a fun fic to write (sometimes) and a challenge (always), but the fact
that people like it is why I write it.


Hmm...I'm feeling verbose today.  Maybe I should go work some more on OMB.

^_^

Chris 'God-Boy' Angel
cja124@mail.usask.ca