The Inevitable Mary Sue Essay
Why inevitable? In almost any fandom, you’ll find a Mary Sue writer and a Mary Sue hater. I try to be neither, but it’s something that fascinates me. I won’t touch on the psychology of it more than briefly, since it would be pretentious and full of misinformation. Mary Sues seem to be a subject on which nearly everyone who writes fanfiction becomes a hypocrite, unless they’ve avoided using original characters altogether, and even then they’re not safe.
Nearly everyone’s done it, at some time or another. You can write a Mary Sue character by accident, or create a Canon Sue by being biased towards your favourite character. Even professional authors and writers (i.e. television and film writers) do it. The swing from well-rounded original character to outright Mary Sue can occur in a few lines, and it works in reverse too.
I don’t want to offend anyone, I just want to express my opinions and explore the idea of Mary Sue characters a bit. I want to hear other people’s views, so feel free to email me. Flames will be read, considered, and probably put someone for other people to laugh at. I accept that some people like Mary Sues, so here’s a link to the Mary Sue Appreciate Society - http://www.subreality.com/marysue.htm.
What is a Mary Sue?
The definition of a Mary Sue varies depending on whom you’re talking to and often which fandom they’re most frequently involved in. It can vary from any original character (OC) to an original character blessed with unusual with whom all characters of the opposite sex falling love and all characters of the same sex admire, blessed with many talents and the best at everything, often with a deeply tragic past they have over come: in short, Little Miss Perfect.
Mary Sue is a term first used by Star Trek fans in the 70s to describe idealistic characters introduced to the show and in books based on the show. She first appeared in a parody Star Trek fanfiction, actually named ‘Mary Sue’, but it is Wesley Crusher who is most often cited as the Mary Sue of canon Star Trek.. Usually, Mary Sue is a character dreamed up by fans as a projection of themselves into a series. She comes in many forms, which will be explored later, and her male counterpart is known as Gary Stu, though he is generally much rarer.
Different people judge OCs in different ways. In general, most people’s definition of Mary Sue falls into one of the following categories, and may combine several:
- Any Original Character
- An Original Character around which the story centres
- An Original Character who surpasses a canon character in a certain area
- An Original Character who possesses attributes that surpass those of the canon characters, or who possesses attributes never previously established in canon
- An Original Character who has a relationship (either romantic or familial) with a canon character
- An Original Character who is adored by most of the canon characters, possesses talents to surpass any/all of them, has an unbelievable personality, and saves the day or dies tragically in the attempt
- An underdeveloped Original Character who lacks a believable personality or motivation
- An acknowledged self insertion
Of course, my views on the subject are biased, as are those of any one who reads and writes fanfiction. In general, the sixth and seventh points are considered the overall definitions of Mary Sue, but many of the others are borderline, so that if written well they are well-rounded characters that could just as easily appear in the canon as within a fanfic, but if written badly are, plain and simply, a Mary Sue.
Why is Mary Sue a Bad Thing?
Mary Sue doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Authors like Mary Shelley use idealised characters to great affect, in her case the DeLacey family. They appear perfect, they are unprejudiced, modest, humble, kind and generous, and yet when the creature approaches them, they are frightened and run away. By establishing them as such a perfect family, this abrupt betrayal of ideals is all the more shocking.
Unfortunately, few fanfiction authors share Mary Shelley’s talent. Mary Sue is frequently underdeveloped, unexplained and extremely unlovable, no matter how many characters worship her. On the other hand, a character can be a perfectly likable person with no particular flaws and not be a Mary Sue. It’s nearly all down to how she interacts with other characters. Mary Sues are responsible for making canon character OOC (Out Of Character). The canon characters are likely to be an extremely diverse bunch in most fandoms, so the chances of all of them falling in love with one character is remarkably slim.
Most people hate Mary Sue and Gary Stu with a vengeance. They’re most often conceived by inexperienced fanfic writers, and appear most frequently in fandoms with a primarily teenaged base. A story can be eloquently written, perfectly plotted and with scope and variety to rival Tolkien, but if the main character is a Mary Sue, this is what reviewers will focus on. While it can be fun to write about an idealised version of yourself (the most common form of Mary Sue) interacting with your favourite characters, you have to be prepared to accept that very few people will want to read about it. Those that do are most likely to have written very similar fiction.
It’s unfortunate that people do react so badly to most Mary Sues. It’s not a judgement on the quality of writing or the imagination that went into the fanfic, but to a first time fanfic author it can be very off-putting. Mary Sue is usually a very personal character, and any attack on her is taken as an attack on the author. Most people, when reviewing a Mary Sue fic, don’t take into account that the writer will take attacks on their character personally. It’s unfortunate, as it can put very good authors off. Mary Sue fics are neat little fantasies, put on display for the world to read. It is worth bearing in mind that few people will share that fantasy, and won’t see the merits of your character as you do. Personal fantasies are usually best kept personal.
Types of Mary Sue
There are several types of Mary Sue, so don’t fool yourself into thinking just because your character is a bad guy, or an orphan, or even a canon character that they’re safe. Mary Sue is a pernicious breed, and you can’t rid yourself of her that easily. Most of the following also apply to Gary-Stu as well, though several are much more common in the Mary Sue incarnation.
Perfect Mary Sue
The Perfect Mary Sue is what’s most commonly thought of as Mary Sue. She has money, she has looks, she’s popular, she’s smart and the author’s favourite canon character falls madly in love with her on sight. If it’s a slash fic, she’s the one that plays matchmaker to the two extraordinary, and often OOC, boys. She kind and generous, helping the helpless and used the money from her acting career to get modelling jobs for African orphans, or something similar. Her eyes are often some exotic colour, the author pays particular attention to her hair, and she managed to get away with a variety of clothes not normally seen in that universe. She's often both extradordinarily thin whilst having the 'attributes' of Pamela Anderson, no matter how old she is, so it’s no wonder guys fall for her like flies.
Ouch.
Gary-Stu
He’s tragic, he’s martyred, and he’s one hell of a rebel. He makes Han Solo look like a goody-goody. Most commonly found brooding on his own, he too invariable saves the day, but spends most of the time feeling guilty for something he had no control over. He’s stunning, naturally, probably with ‘manly stubble’ (sorry, can’t help but snicker. Wish fulfilment, anyone?) and a ‘lean but well-muscled’ body. Oh, and throw in a few scars while you’re at it, they hint of a mysterious and exciting past.
Of course, he can also be all sweetness and light, literally a male Perfect Mary Sue, but it’s less common. This boy is most often incarnated as a Harry Potter-esque figure, wracked with guilt, blessed with a heart of gold, stuck with a hero complex and is generally anti-social, especially when others point out whatever he’s angsting over isn’t his fault.
Shoot him on sight, please.
Tragic Mary Sue
Her parents died at a young age. She has no friends. The people who brought her up beat her and swore at her and made her feel terrible. Everyone she’s ever known has hated her, she’s wanted for crimes she didn’t commit, her fiancé left her at the altar, her ex-boyfriend wants to kill her, she’s poor and in debt and yet, in the face of all this adversity, she retains all of the aspects of a ‘Prefect Mary Sue’. She’s not bitter or vengeful or prone to psychopathic behaviour, all her experiences have been ‘character building’ and she’s a better person for them. Honest.
No one ever feels sympathetic towards a Mary Sue, no matter how tragic her past. Your better off giving her an average childhood, with maybe a divorce as the most harrowing aspect, but if someone suffered everything a Tragic Mary Sue they’d be a mass murderer by now. She’s the epitome of ‘you’ll regret it when I die’ fantasies.
Flawed Mary Sue
She’s everything a Mary Sue should be, except she has a temper. Or a scar. Or is terrible at maths. You know the sort. She struggles on bravely in the face of adversary, since all the canon characters have suddenly become very shallow and see beyond her disfiguring ugliness to the heart of gold that lies beneath. The flaw might be irrelevant or not a real flaw, e.g. she can’t play the piano and she tends to work too hard.
Actually, we’re entering grey territory here. Some of the best non-Mary Sue OCs lack any obvious flaws, and yet there they are. A ‘token flaw’ can make a tolerable OC into a complete Mary Sue. Remember: one flaw is never enough. Her puppy may have chewed off her hand, but if she’s still got waves of luscious golden hair, purple eyes and can do differentiation in her head whilst winning the match she’s a Mary Sue. A single talent is always preferable to a single flaw.
Canon Sue
He’s a bastard in the canon (‘scuse my French), but in your fic he’s actually a misunderstood child-at-heart. It doesn’t matter that he’s spent years killing and stealing, the love of his life still adores him.
She’s a nerd in the canon, but in your fic she suddenly blooms into someone with a designer wardrobe and a personal trainer. She may not be particularly attractive, though she has a nice personality, but some how over the summer she suddenly becomes stunning, her hobbies change from reading to shopping and the super stud suddenly reveals he’s been in love with her for years.
Canon Sue, the bane of most readers. Sure, a character’s personality will develop and looks will change, but it’s a slow process. There are two rules of OCs: if your character’s role could be fulfilled by a canon character use the canon character, and if your canon character is OOC use an OC. Of course, some canon characters are already Mary Sues. It’s annoying when writers and authors can’t put the thought into their characters that fanfic writers do into theirs, but such is life.
Canon Sue and Canon Stu tend to be equally divided. Most other Mary Sues are just that, Mary Sues, with distinctly fewer Gary Stus. When it comes to fleshing out two-dimensional bad guys, male or female, you want to justify her or her action, and suddenly s/he is actually a good guy who just got a bit confused or was manipulated. Some characters start off so close to perfect it’s hard to tell the difference between Canon and Canon Sue/Stu.
Mary Sue DeVille
She’s evil. No, more evil than that. Think of the most evil thing possibly, and times it by ten. Then double it. And she’s even eviller. Yep, that’s how evil she is. And you know how the canon character’s always win, using their talents and powers? She’s more powerful than all of them, and suddenly they’re losing the whole time. They’re at a loss, and she’s sleeping with half of them anyway. But it’s okay for her to do this, because she’s got a tragic past.
Basically, Mary Sue DeVille is a marginally more realistic version of Tragic Mary Sue. She’s had a tragic past, and it’s affected her. Unfortunately, she went to the other extreme. Even though most canon characters are no doubt the best at what they do, she can beat them, and frequently does. It’s an amusing way to show up canon character’s own Mary Sue-esque qualities, but she’s just as hard to pity as the Tragic Mary Sue. Maybe she’ll die, maybe she’ll convert to good, maybe she’ll find someone else to terrorise…
Actually, Mary Sue DeVille is just as likely to be Gary Stu DeVille. If a character is going to be a bad guy, why not actually make it a bad guy? He can twirl his moustache and laugh evilly and use his charisma to be a sexgod. He tends to lack some of the tragic aspects, in fact, he’s got a streak of Canon Stu in him, especially in comic fandoms. He can beat the heroes at their own game and never goes to prison. Lucky guy, huh?
Is my Character a Mary Sue?
A good rule of thumb is “if you have to ask, yes”. But to return to an earlier point, it depends how you define Mary Sue. Personally, I take the second definition: any original character around which the story centres. If I wanted to read about an original character, I’d read a book. Of course I make exceptions, but for the sake of simplicity we’ll ignore those for now. In general, I’m a bad person to ask about whether a character is a Mary Sue, since I’m so narrow-minded about them, but there are a few general guides to check whether your character is a Mary Sue.
1) Could your character conceivably be added to the series by the writers/author etc?
What I mean by this is if a new character were to be added to the canon, is it possible that it could be your character? A well thought out character with a relevant history and well-rounded personality could be added to any series. Think about the characters that already exist, and work out what your character brings to the mix. Is he or she just a mix of canon characters, or does s/he bring something new to the series? Is s/he a protagonist or an antagonist to the established hero(es)? How would the canon characters realistically react? If you are writing with the intent to put your character in a romantic relationship with a main character, look at how that main character has been portrayed and what his or her previous relationships have been like. There’s no point writing about a canon character falling in love with a bubbly blond teenaged girl when the canon character in question is a fifty-year-old gay guy who prefers older men. If your character not only could be added by the authors, but basically already has in the form of a canon character, use the canon character. I’ve made this mistake before, using an OC instead of a canon character, and no matter how realistic she is and how other characters react to her, she still comes across as a Mary Sue.
2) Does your character resemble yourself?
This has to be the biggest giveaway for Mary Sues. Looks, age, sex, birthday, name… If you want to write a self-insertion, admit to it. Put yourself in the fic, but be honest about it. Don’t write an idealised version of yourself with a romanticised name like Nova Starburst and pretend it’s a completely original character. Everyone does it, true, and to make a character believable it helps to base at least some aspect of his or her personality and background on what you know, but you have to be honest. If a character has a deeply tragic past, losing friends and family in a series of elaborate murders and revenge killings, they’re not going to be a well-rounded individual.
3) What is your character like?
Ah, the crux of the matter. Intelligence, hobbies, fears, desires, likes, dislikes, looks… all go in to making a character. DON’T FORGET FLAWS. What are the chances of your character being top in every class? Would s/he really never get spots or put or weight or forget to shave? Are you smiling and happy every minute of every day? No? So chances are your character won’t be either.
Of course, you’ve got to be careful not to walk into the Flawed Mary Sue trap. It’s painful to read about someone who’s practically perfect in every way, but happens to have a stutter. It won’t detract from the Mary Sue-ness. Make them human, make the flaws and talents balance. Maybe she’s stunning, but she’s probably uncomfortable with the attention she gets. Maybe she’s incredibly smart, but she’s probably got glasses from reading so many books. Maybe she’s rich, but I’ll bet she’s grown up very sheltered as well. A flaw in this respect isn’t something other character would hate about her, it’s just something that makes her different and could lead to a problem.
4) If you met your character in real life, would you like him or her?
This seems like a daft question, but you have to be excruciatingly honest with yourself. Would you really like them? Would your friends like them? Would the person you have a crush on fancy them? Would you be comfortable with that?
Most people, were they to meet their character in real life, would be immensely jealous of them. His or her tendency to always be right would grate on your nerves. They’d be much more popular than you, they’d be better at everything, and they’d be so nice about it. Are you sure you wouldn’t feel just a little patronised?
This is a good way of judging whether the canon characters are reacting appropriately to your character. Much of what makes an OC a Mary Sue comes from how other characters react. If everyone is jealous and bitter when they meet the Mary Sue, it detracts greatly from her Mary Sue-ness.
5) Are any of the details irrelevant?
When someone wants to know if their character is a Mary Sue, they post a whole bunch of information on a forum and expect people to judge from that. Name, looks, history, potential ‘ships… It tells you almost nothing about the way the character interacts with others and doesn’t really tell you much about the character. Most of it is irrelevant.
I once read a character profile for a Harry Potter that included blood type. I don’t think you can get any more irrelevant than that. It’s all well and good knowing these things about your character, but if they don’t serve a point within the plot it’s rarely worth sharing them with other people. No one cares whether Mary Sue like broccoli or not, they want to know why her tears turns things to gold, for example.
With most Mary Sue characters, their background has nothing to do with how they are now. It ought to, but it doesn’t. Hence, reading an entire chapter about how pathetic s/he used to be is irrelevant, because s/he isn’t anymore. Is the character telling other people about his or her past? If not, it’s often not worth including, except in dribs and drabs. If their past explains some part of his or her character, like why s/he never speaks to people on a Sunday, then include that part. It shows your character has developed a personality based on his or her experiences. If you just met someone, would you tell him or her what happened at your third birthday party? Probably not, unless it was relevant to what you were talking about.
About a quarter of most fics is completely irrelevant, and it ruins the flow of the story. It’s nice to have some moments that aren’t related to the plot, but they ought to help develop the characters and the readers’ understanding of them. Do you spend hours thinking about your personal history? So why should your character?
When it gets right down to it, if you don't want to write Mary Sue, don't trust your friends to tell you. Look at al those reviews you dismissed as Flames. Most of them won't be, if you're honest with yourself. A personal attack is a flame; an attack on almost any aspect of a fic isn't. I'm not claiming to be an expert on Sues, I'm just an avid fanfic reader who wants to see less of them, like many other readers. I'm not saying they aren't popular among some readers, but those people are in the minority.
It's all about realism. Even though you're writing fiction, you want it to be real. It doesn't matter if it's Science Fiction or Fantasy - I'm not talking about magic or robots not being real. Emotions and personality should be realistic. Readers want to relate, and no one on this planet can relate to perfection.
And finally: a writing exercise.
Pick a setting often used in the series you’re basing you fanfic on. If it’s Harry Potter, for example, use the library. Chose four canon characters to interact with your character, including at least one member of the same sex, at least one member of the opposite sex, someone who will like them, and someone who hates the person who likes your character (and so has reason to dislike your character). You must write a scene that shows how these characters interact with yours. You don’t need a plot, any character development, or even any speech (or nothing but speech, though it helps to identify who’s speaking). You have precisely 300 words, start writing now.
… Done? Checked the word count? Try and make it precisely 300 words, it’s more challenging that way, in my opinion at least. If you can establish believable character interactions in two hundred words you’ve already jumped several hurdles on the way to non-Mary Sueism. Okay, now show it to someone who also writes fanfiction for the fandom who’ll give you an honest opinion. Forums are quite useful for this, as you get a bunch of complete strangers with utterly divergent views on what makes a good fanfiction studying what you’ve written. If they like what you’ve done, chances are it’s not a Mary Sue. Now all you have to do it keep it up.
