As to Wesley, there's no evidence that his presence is an authorial insertion that I know of. But certainly there are other ways to describe the problems with the stories where he was inserted as a central character.
Similarly, there are other and better ways to describe any problems one might have with other characters one might label "Mary Sue".
One of the things that this conversation has shown me is that there are a number of things people assume is meant by "Mary Sue" -- and they're not all the same. Authorial insertion, daydream fantasy, aversion to competent female protagonists, slash fantasy, unrealistically perfect character, overpowered protagonist -- there's doubtless more. Even if the phrase hadn't become associated with sexism, that limits the term's usefulness.
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Date: 2016-01-23 06:06 am (UTC)Similarly, there are other and better ways to describe any problems one might have with other characters one might label "Mary Sue".
One of the things that this conversation has shown me is that there are a number of things people assume is meant by "Mary Sue" -- and they're not all the same. Authorial insertion, daydream fantasy, aversion to competent female protagonists, slash fantasy, unrealistically perfect character, overpowered protagonist -- there's doubtless more. Even if the phrase hadn't become associated with sexism, that limits the term's usefulness.