What is a Mary-Sue? How do I know I'm Writing One?

There are several different forms of a Mary-Sue. They have many faces and many names. Mary-Sue even has a brother who is a bit more complicated. The male version of a Sue is often called Marty-Sue, Marti-Gra, Mary-Stu, Gary-Stu, and several other male variations of a Mary-Sue. Some people may even refer to a Male Sue as a John Doe.

Some Mary-Sues are just self inserts; the author putting themselves in the story. They turn themselves into something they're not. Think you're ugly? Make yourself beautiful in the story. Have no talent? That's okay! You can make yourself into an amazing singer, poet, writer, or artist, whatever interests you!

Normally, most self inserts turn into Mary-Sues. Not all of them, however, for I've run into a few that actually take on all the flaws of the author. Nothing is changed for them. It's just them in a story.

The orgin of the name " Mary-Sue" came from a 'Star Trek' fan fic written a long while back by an author who created a character at the age of fifteen and a half. She became a Lieutenant at this age. She seduced Captain Kirk and Spock during which she revealed she was also half Vulcan. Afterwards, she ran the 'Enterprise' while everyone else was ill, nursed them back to health, and then died.

Lovely, isn't it?

~

Can't tell if your character is a dreaded Sue? Here are some signs.

~Her name is...~

- Her name is a surname of some canon character the Suethor likes or is otherwise related to at least one canon character.

- Common names with unusal spelling. These usually or K's or Y's in weird places. I ran into one whose name was spelled 'Jessyca' which would be the incorrect spelling for 'Jessica'. However, upon messaging this user, she claimed that her name was spelled that way, fully admitting that the character was a self insert. (Not all self inserts are bad in my book, by the way. As said above, I've run into a few good ones.)

- Names that are rather overused or meant to describe the appearance or object that's connected to the character. (Raves, Luna, Anya, things like this.)

- Names that combined the above characteristics. A character from the worst fan fiction ever written is a perfect example: Enoby Darkness Wray.

~Common Traits~

- Eyes or hair that changes color. Hair that takes more than five words to describe.

- Super amazing special magic powers ir unusual appendages such as wings.

- Ability to master anything and everything without having to really try.

- Cute baby imaginary creature pet such as ancient dragon, baby griffin, unicorn, things of this nature.

- The ability to make any male character (original or not) fall head over heels for them. Or, failing that, just having the author play god and force the story to bend at their will.

- The character is normally sexually attractive or attacked to a canon character.

- Sparkles where sparkles shouldn't exist (Twilight reference).

- No actual real flaws. (Being too beautiful or not being able to play an instrument is in a flaw. Nor is being clumsy.)

- Obvious author self inserts.

~

Because there are so many kinds of Suesin the world, listing them all would be next to impossible (and I really don't have that time to do that.) However, I'll throw out a few general Sue's that are typically seen in writing.

These examples, however, will appear in the next chapter. Because there's a lot of typing out that I don't have time to do. So, hopefully this will provide some answers and a little help with Mary-Sues.

Thank you for reading.