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Avoiding Clichés
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Avoiding Mary Sues and Gary Stus
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s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e «§KENZ§» wrote: "source: hubpages.comAvoiding Mary Sues and Gary Stus
There is a predisposition for amateur-written fantasy fiction to be filled with Mary Sue or Gary Stu characters. These types of characters a..."
The first sentence pretty much succinctly sums my opinions up in a nutshell. Goodreads is cluttered with hastily- and loathesomely-written amateur fantasy/paranormal fiction/romance. And, when I read the summaries, they're all about Mary-Sues, Gary-Stus (one of which is usually a paranormal creature), and forbidden love. And, new novels of the similar frame are basically printed every day. It's horrid, to say the least.
I love these things:Mary-Sue Race Test:
http://www.springhole.net/writing/mar...
The Universal Mary-Sue Litmus Test:
http://www.springhole.net/writing/mar...
Avoiding Mary Sues and Gary Stus
There is a predisposition for amateur-written fantasy fiction to be filled with Mary Sue or Gary Stu characters. These types of characters are essentially wish-fulfillment for the writer. They are usually created after the supreme idolization of the writer herself.
Mary Sues are perfect. They have flawless skin and entrancing eyes (often purple). They always get the guy. Always have reams of friends who look up to them. And always save the world in the end. They are the "Chosen Ones." Even their flaws - if they have any - are endearing more than distracting.
How do you avoid them?
First of all, don't model the character in your fantasy fiction after yourself. Do not favor them too highly and make them the reason for everything good in your novel or short story. Give them real flaws, not just a wayward shock of hair or a rakish scar. Give them personality flaws, but not all the personality flaws, or they risk becoming an Anti-Sue.
Just because you are writing fantasy fiction, every character should not become your ultimate fantasy. They still need to be living, breathing people (or whatever) with histories, flaws, strengths and reasons why they do the things they do.