So What in Blazes IS a Mary Sue???

(January 21, 2001)

The term "Mary Sue" was coined to describe original character in fanfic who are TOO perfect.  These are usually heroines (hence the term 'Mary Sue'), who step in without warning or true back-story (or a very implausible or overly-used one), sweep one or more established protagonists off their feet (usually making them act completely out of character), and then proceed to save the day in truly remarkable and dramatic ways that leave the established characters gaping in admiration and amazement.

Precisely because of the above description, however, the Library's Keeper and contributors wish to make clear that this is a particular KIND of original character -- it is not true of  every original character. Indeed, 'Mary Sues' can be found in  any genre of writing, official or not (I just read an original novel that had a  definite Mary Sue), in which the author is still not clear on the fact that Character does not equal Unusual or Perfect. While there  are many 'fics out there that provide Mary Sues, the fanfic you will find within the Library does not (unless you are of the unfortunate opinion that any O.C. is a Mary Sue, period, end of discussion, no argument w/o flames).

Instead, the Library believes in presenting strong, capable, attractive, intelligent female characters (and some men, too ;)) whom we would love to see onscreen in an episode of our fandoms. After all, if  that were the definition of a Mary Sue, then that's what you would have to call characters like Aeryn Sun, Col. Sarah Mackenzie, Seven of Nine, or even Buffy. (Not to mention the incredibly multi-talented Sam Beckett!)

If you have any other questions on this topic, follow this link for a tongue-in-cheek look at Mary Sues, on the 'SunS' archive.

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