Post by Sally Jinks on Nov 26, 2007 19:06:51 GMT
There's been some confusion about the definition of Mary Sue and Gary Stu. Let me tell you right now, as a mod, THEY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Read these definitions, know them well, and make sure your characters do not fit them BEFORE you apply.
Mary Sue
Mary Sue characters are generally marked by overdescription with extraneous, tacked-on paragraphs describing in great detail their distinctive appearance or possessions, even if they have no significance for the plot and seem out of place. For example, a Mary Sue would not merely be said to carry a gun. The model, color, appearance, and special features of the gun would be described all at once.
A Mary Sue may be tougher, smarter, and cooler than the established characters and so win their admiration. Alternately, the Sue may be nicer, sweeter, and more charming than the established characters (often despite being tortured by a tragic past) and win their love. Either way, the setting's protagonists are upstaged by the new character's perfection. If this new character dies in the story (typically as an act of self-sacrifice), there is often extensive grieving.
Common traits of Mary Sues:
* Has only sympathetic flaws; Mary Sues may be paraplegic, or dangerously naïve, but are very rarely selfish or petty-minded
* Can do no wrong - or, if she does do anything wrong, has strong justification for it
* Unique abilities
* Distinctive physical features (odd-coloured eyes, birthmarks, scars, etc.)
* Owns an unusual pet (especially, 'one that only she could tame')
* Deliberately exotic name
* Name based on that of the author (such as an anagram)
* Cultural/racial background very different from her peers (often adopted out of her culture)
* Deeply traumatic past
* Attitudes contemporary to the author in a setting where these are unheard of
* Close relationship with a major canonical character (long-lost brother, etc.)
* Well-liked by all the canonical protagonists
* Powers or abilities closely paralleling those of a major canon character
* Centrally involved in every part of the story
* Invokes powers impossible in the canon
* If the published universe is set in a different country to the one the author is from, the Mary Sue will probably be from the author's country of origin
* If much of the tension in a series is largely dependent upon a sequence of ongoing character flaws and misunderstandings (such as the works of Rumiko Takahashi), the Mary Sue character almost invariably possesses a 'big picture' view that allows them to solve all of these little problems, thereby sewing up the series in a happily-ever-after fashion
None of these traits in and of themselves make a Mary Sue; rather, a Sue depends on the author's reliance on such gimmicks to make a character unique and appealing. Another "yardstick" used to see if a character is considered to be a Mary Sue is how other characters react to that character. For example, even if a Mary Sue is impossibly beautiful or talented, other characters are unlikely to be jealous of her.
There are many definitions of Mary Sue. Those are some basics.
Gary Stu
Gary Stus are much rarer than Mary Sues, much harder to pinpoint, and generally more accepted. We shouldn't have a problem with them here, I wouldn't think.
A Gary Stu is somewhat different from a Mary Sue in that his perfections are less oriented on personality and more on physical traits, skill, or expertise. For example, some Gary Stus are very strong, skilled swordfighters, expert wizards, or legendary heroes with scars who often attract female characters within the story. Most are designed to fill either the role of dangerous action hero or caring, supportive lover. In addition to Mary Sue traits such as unusual background and lack of flaws, the following features are common:
* Dark, brooding, quiet, mysterious, tormented, or otherwise enigmatic, with a dark or tormented past yet somehow showing none of the psychological damage that such a past should inflict; sometimes being almost comic relief silly
* Either a devoted, monogamous lover, or an accomplished, "badass" action hero
* Plenty of gadgets; accompanied by lists of weapons, technology, etc.
* Penchant for violence or skill in battle (sometimes to the point of seeming sociopathic)
* Reluctant warrior, caught up in a conflict he's not ready for (for example, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars)
* "Strong but sensitive" alpha male type (for example, Wolverine from the X-Men)
* An attractive young ephebe who has earned the respect of his much older companions through his genius-level intelligence and/or skills.
Please report any Mary Sues or Gary Stus you see. The mods will have a look.
Taken from Hogwarts Daily
Mary Sue
Mary Sue characters are generally marked by overdescription with extraneous, tacked-on paragraphs describing in great detail their distinctive appearance or possessions, even if they have no significance for the plot and seem out of place. For example, a Mary Sue would not merely be said to carry a gun. The model, color, appearance, and special features of the gun would be described all at once.
A Mary Sue may be tougher, smarter, and cooler than the established characters and so win their admiration. Alternately, the Sue may be nicer, sweeter, and more charming than the established characters (often despite being tortured by a tragic past) and win their love. Either way, the setting's protagonists are upstaged by the new character's perfection. If this new character dies in the story (typically as an act of self-sacrifice), there is often extensive grieving.
Common traits of Mary Sues:
* Has only sympathetic flaws; Mary Sues may be paraplegic, or dangerously naïve, but are very rarely selfish or petty-minded
* Can do no wrong - or, if she does do anything wrong, has strong justification for it
* Unique abilities
* Distinctive physical features (odd-coloured eyes, birthmarks, scars, etc.)
* Owns an unusual pet (especially, 'one that only she could tame')
* Deliberately exotic name
* Name based on that of the author (such as an anagram)
* Cultural/racial background very different from her peers (often adopted out of her culture)
* Deeply traumatic past
* Attitudes contemporary to the author in a setting where these are unheard of
* Close relationship with a major canonical character (long-lost brother, etc.)
* Well-liked by all the canonical protagonists
* Powers or abilities closely paralleling those of a major canon character
* Centrally involved in every part of the story
* Invokes powers impossible in the canon
* If the published universe is set in a different country to the one the author is from, the Mary Sue will probably be from the author's country of origin
* If much of the tension in a series is largely dependent upon a sequence of ongoing character flaws and misunderstandings (such as the works of Rumiko Takahashi), the Mary Sue character almost invariably possesses a 'big picture' view that allows them to solve all of these little problems, thereby sewing up the series in a happily-ever-after fashion
None of these traits in and of themselves make a Mary Sue; rather, a Sue depends on the author's reliance on such gimmicks to make a character unique and appealing. Another "yardstick" used to see if a character is considered to be a Mary Sue is how other characters react to that character. For example, even if a Mary Sue is impossibly beautiful or talented, other characters are unlikely to be jealous of her.
There are many definitions of Mary Sue. Those are some basics.
Gary Stu
Gary Stus are much rarer than Mary Sues, much harder to pinpoint, and generally more accepted. We shouldn't have a problem with them here, I wouldn't think.
A Gary Stu is somewhat different from a Mary Sue in that his perfections are less oriented on personality and more on physical traits, skill, or expertise. For example, some Gary Stus are very strong, skilled swordfighters, expert wizards, or legendary heroes with scars who often attract female characters within the story. Most are designed to fill either the role of dangerous action hero or caring, supportive lover. In addition to Mary Sue traits such as unusual background and lack of flaws, the following features are common:
* Dark, brooding, quiet, mysterious, tormented, or otherwise enigmatic, with a dark or tormented past yet somehow showing none of the psychological damage that such a past should inflict; sometimes being almost comic relief silly
* Either a devoted, monogamous lover, or an accomplished, "badass" action hero
* Plenty of gadgets; accompanied by lists of weapons, technology, etc.
* Penchant for violence or skill in battle (sometimes to the point of seeming sociopathic)
* Reluctant warrior, caught up in a conflict he's not ready for (for example, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars)
* "Strong but sensitive" alpha male type (for example, Wolverine from the X-Men)
* An attractive young ephebe who has earned the respect of his much older companions through his genius-level intelligence and/or skills.
Please report any Mary Sues or Gary Stus you see. The mods will have a look.
Taken from Hogwarts Daily
