Post by evanmcbain on Jun 7, 2006 11:06:35 GMT -5
The Mary Sue/Gary Stu Test
This particular version is by Ellie Rosenthal (ff.n alias Cornish Pixie), but it's based on the test created by Dr. Merlin (this means I’m giving credit where its due. I did not come up with this test) Please read everything as it will help develop your character to an even greater degree.
Who is "Mary Sue"? Mary Sue is the perky, bright, teen witch who is pretty much perfect. Everyone likes Mary Sue, because Mary Sue is good at everything. Mary Sue is an brilliant sorceress, a helpful friend, a good leader, a cunning and skilled dueler, and is stunningly beautiful. Mary Sue often has mental powers that may manifest themselves as telepathy or precognition. Her name is often the author's name, be it a net name, a favored nickname, or the author's middle name. Mary Sue's twin brother, Gary Stu can often be identified by his brooding, solitary behaviour, matched by his maverick disregard for authority.
Scoring is simple -- the more questions answered "Yes," the more likely it is the character is a problem, or worse, is a retread of a hundred characters exactly like him/her. Keep tally of all the questions you answered "yes" to, and then check out how you scored at the end of the test.
-----------------
Section 1 - The Name Game
Is the character named after you? (This can be your first name, middle name, or the name you go by in chat or irc.) If so, stop now. Put your pencil (mouse?) down and turn in your test.
Does the character have a really cool name that you wish you had?
Does the character have more than one name? (i.e. a nickname or a pseudonym) for example, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.
Did you spend more than a day looking for just the right name?
Have you considered naming your pet the character's name?
-------------------
Section 2 - Physical Attributes
Is the character the same gender as you?
Is the character from the same racial group as you? Note: if the character is a magical/genetically altered being (ex: centaur), answer yes to this question.
Is the character a hybrid of two or more species? Double points for part-Veela (or full Veela), part phoenix, part unicorn (don't ask), or part cat. Animagi, Werewolves and Vampires do not fall into this category.
Is the character beautiful or roguishly handsome?
Does one or more of the regulars find the character highly attractive?
Is s/he (or is s/he related to) a Veela?
Do other regulars see him/her as a threat because of this?
Does the character have an unusual eye/hair color for no apparent reason?
Does the character have an accent that is not British? Students from non-Hogwarts schools (ex: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang) count.
-----------------
Section 3 - Personal Traits
Is the character the long-lost child, descendent, sibling, or ancestor of a regular or recurring character?
Of Sirius, Remus, Peter, or Snape?
Of Harry, Ron, or Hermione?
Of Malfoy, Hagrid, Voldemort, Neville, Dean, Seamus, or any other significant character mentioned in J.K.'s books?
Of any of the 4 Hogwarts founders?
Of another original character for whom you intend to write another story or even another series?
Is the character an exchange student from one of the other wizarding schools?
Did the character have an unusual birth?
Does the character have a twin, a clone, or a sibling of the same gender?
Is the character remarkably intelligent?
As smart as (or smarter than) Hermione?
Do any of the teachers have an unusual liking toward your character?
Does McGonnagal?
Does Snape? (Bonus if s/he's not in Slytherin)
Do any teachers particularly dislike him/her?
Does s/he play Quidditch?
Is s/he exceptionally good?
Is s/he seeker?
Is s/he in Gryffindor?
Does the character make more wisecracks and play more practical jokes than the Weasley twins?
Because Fred and George are your favorite characters?
Does everyone end up liking the character (among the regulars you like)?
-----------------
Section 4 - Wizarding Powers
Is the character muggle-born, or doesn't know s/he is a witch/wizard until s/he gets his/her letter?
Does the character have telekinesis or telepathy?
Does the character just "know things" for no apparent reason?
Is the character skilled in healing?
Do animals instinctively like the character?
----------------
Section 5 - The Love Connection
Does your character have a perfect love life?
Do they constantly fall in love at first sight?
Can you see yourself falling in love with your character?
Is your characters love live based on your own?
--------------
Section 6 - The Real World and Your Character
Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life?
Do you think everyone who reads about your character should
automatically like the character and want to be friends with the character?
If someone tells you he/she doesn't like your character, do you take it as a personal attack on you? (Be honest.)
--------------------
Section 7 - The Fiendish Plot
Does the character manage to develop a friendship with an otherwise villainous character, and through this friendship, reform the other character?
Does the villain become evil again after the character dies, but retain some last vestige of goodness from his/her interaction with the character, evidenced in one selfless action at the end of the story?
Is the character transformed into a magical or genetically-altered being?
Is the character happier in her/his new form?
Do you wish you could be transformed because of the neat powers?
Does the character save the day and/or another character's life?
Through magical/mystical intervention?
Through dying?
Does everyone go into mourning?
Does s/he get not-dead after everyone thinks he/she is?
------------------
Here's the basic scoring scheme:
0-15 Developed character, unlikely MS.
16-19 Borderline character. Characters in this range are potential MS's, who can go either way dependent on the writer's skill.
35+ Reconsider your character and plot.
A bit of advice before you go:
When creating a new character, no matter of what species, at his or her most basic level, the character will be human, because the author will be human. The audience will also be human, and will relate to the character on those terms. Yes, your character might have wonderful magical powers, and that is fun to fantasize about having for yourself. At the same time, your character also has fears, and wishes, and dreams, and s/he will make mistakes, sometimes painful ones. Not everything your character does can be perfect and good. Humans don't work that way. We say stupid things sometimes, and get wrapped up in ourselves, and we step on the feelings of other people whether we mean to or not, and we laugh at dumb jokes, and we smell bad when we sweat, and we drool on our pillows. If you really want to make an original character, give him or her bad habits, and good ones, and thoughts you don't necessarily share. First and last of all, be real. The fantasy will make itself.
This particular version is by Ellie Rosenthal (ff.n alias Cornish Pixie), but it's based on the test created by Dr. Merlin (this means I’m giving credit where its due. I did not come up with this test) Please read everything as it will help develop your character to an even greater degree.
Who is "Mary Sue"? Mary Sue is the perky, bright, teen witch who is pretty much perfect. Everyone likes Mary Sue, because Mary Sue is good at everything. Mary Sue is an brilliant sorceress, a helpful friend, a good leader, a cunning and skilled dueler, and is stunningly beautiful. Mary Sue often has mental powers that may manifest themselves as telepathy or precognition. Her name is often the author's name, be it a net name, a favored nickname, or the author's middle name. Mary Sue's twin brother, Gary Stu can often be identified by his brooding, solitary behaviour, matched by his maverick disregard for authority.
Scoring is simple -- the more questions answered "Yes," the more likely it is the character is a problem, or worse, is a retread of a hundred characters exactly like him/her. Keep tally of all the questions you answered "yes" to, and then check out how you scored at the end of the test.
-----------------
Section 1 - The Name Game
Is the character named after you? (This can be your first name, middle name, or the name you go by in chat or irc.) If so, stop now. Put your pencil (mouse?) down and turn in your test.
Does the character have a really cool name that you wish you had?
Does the character have more than one name? (i.e. a nickname or a pseudonym) for example, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.
Did you spend more than a day looking for just the right name?
Have you considered naming your pet the character's name?
-------------------
Section 2 - Physical Attributes
Is the character the same gender as you?
Is the character from the same racial group as you? Note: if the character is a magical/genetically altered being (ex: centaur), answer yes to this question.
Is the character a hybrid of two or more species? Double points for part-Veela (or full Veela), part phoenix, part unicorn (don't ask), or part cat. Animagi, Werewolves and Vampires do not fall into this category.
Is the character beautiful or roguishly handsome?
Does one or more of the regulars find the character highly attractive?
Is s/he (or is s/he related to) a Veela?
Do other regulars see him/her as a threat because of this?
Does the character have an unusual eye/hair color for no apparent reason?
Does the character have an accent that is not British? Students from non-Hogwarts schools (ex: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang) count.
-----------------
Section 3 - Personal Traits
Is the character the long-lost child, descendent, sibling, or ancestor of a regular or recurring character?
Of Sirius, Remus, Peter, or Snape?
Of Harry, Ron, or Hermione?
Of Malfoy, Hagrid, Voldemort, Neville, Dean, Seamus, or any other significant character mentioned in J.K.'s books?
Of any of the 4 Hogwarts founders?
Of another original character for whom you intend to write another story or even another series?
Is the character an exchange student from one of the other wizarding schools?
Did the character have an unusual birth?
Does the character have a twin, a clone, or a sibling of the same gender?
Is the character remarkably intelligent?
As smart as (or smarter than) Hermione?
Do any of the teachers have an unusual liking toward your character?
Does McGonnagal?
Does Snape? (Bonus if s/he's not in Slytherin)
Do any teachers particularly dislike him/her?
Does s/he play Quidditch?
Is s/he exceptionally good?
Is s/he seeker?
Is s/he in Gryffindor?
Does the character make more wisecracks and play more practical jokes than the Weasley twins?
Because Fred and George are your favorite characters?
Does everyone end up liking the character (among the regulars you like)?
-----------------
Section 4 - Wizarding Powers
Is the character muggle-born, or doesn't know s/he is a witch/wizard until s/he gets his/her letter?
Does the character have telekinesis or telepathy?
Does the character just "know things" for no apparent reason?
Is the character skilled in healing?
Do animals instinctively like the character?
----------------
Section 5 - The Love Connection
Does your character have a perfect love life?
Do they constantly fall in love at first sight?
Can you see yourself falling in love with your character?
Is your characters love live based on your own?
--------------
Section 6 - The Real World and Your Character
Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life?
Do you think everyone who reads about your character should
automatically like the character and want to be friends with the character?
If someone tells you he/she doesn't like your character, do you take it as a personal attack on you? (Be honest.)
--------------------
Section 7 - The Fiendish Plot
Does the character manage to develop a friendship with an otherwise villainous character, and through this friendship, reform the other character?
Does the villain become evil again after the character dies, but retain some last vestige of goodness from his/her interaction with the character, evidenced in one selfless action at the end of the story?
Is the character transformed into a magical or genetically-altered being?
Is the character happier in her/his new form?
Do you wish you could be transformed because of the neat powers?
Does the character save the day and/or another character's life?
Through magical/mystical intervention?
Through dying?
Does everyone go into mourning?
Does s/he get not-dead after everyone thinks he/she is?
------------------
Here's the basic scoring scheme:
0-15 Developed character, unlikely MS.
16-19 Borderline character. Characters in this range are potential MS's, who can go either way dependent on the writer's skill.
35+ Reconsider your character and plot.
A bit of advice before you go:
When creating a new character, no matter of what species, at his or her most basic level, the character will be human, because the author will be human. The audience will also be human, and will relate to the character on those terms. Yes, your character might have wonderful magical powers, and that is fun to fantasize about having for yourself. At the same time, your character also has fears, and wishes, and dreams, and s/he will make mistakes, sometimes painful ones. Not everything your character does can be perfect and good. Humans don't work that way. We say stupid things sometimes, and get wrapped up in ourselves, and we step on the feelings of other people whether we mean to or not, and we laugh at dumb jokes, and we smell bad when we sweat, and we drool on our pillows. If you really want to make an original character, give him or her bad habits, and good ones, and thoughts you don't necessarily share. First and last of all, be real. The fantasy will make itself.
