Thoughts about Mary Sues...

[agilebrit]

First, definition: To me, a Mary Sue is an original character that takes over the storyline at the expense of the canon characters. I've read plenty of fics where an OC didn't do this, but still managed to be a good character in their own right. I will leave it to others' determination if my OC is a MS--she's a Slayer, but not an especially or exotically pretty one; with an atrocious singing voice; she can read and write Latin; she eventually marries Spike...and then dies a tragic death in the sequel. That being said, I tried to keep the focus on Spike in those stories, and his reactions to what was happening, rather than having her take over the whole thing. Yes, she gets some scenes of her own...but it's a fine line we walk in trying to make our OC's *real people* and still not MSing them.

And I don't see people screaming "Mary Sue!" every time a show adds a new character. Gunn's a big hero with a tragic past (had to kill his vamped little sister after he couldn't save her). Fred is a mousy but cute woman with a big brain and also the tragic past (trapped in a Hell dimension as a cow for five years). But I'm not seeing anyone yelling at Joss for adding characters as he sees fit.

Of course, it is his show, so I suppose he can do what he wants with it; and I'm just borrowing, so the line in the sand is deeper and wider for me. But I don't think that every original character is a Mary Sue...not even every OC who bids to be a real person in their own right in a fic. As long as the main focus is still on the canon character(s), and the OC is used as a foil for the CC, then I think it's okay.

Your mileage may vary.

Comments

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

This is the very issue that's plagued me since I started writing. I had no idea what a MS was when I began my chapters ~ I was simply looking for another angle at which to explore established characters (among other things, certainly). I had no clue that such a format was vilified by the 'true' ff writers/community.

Because of this, I have become very timid and - okay, fearful - about how and what my OC says and does. I've posted two sets of disclaimers with many of my chapters ~ the standard 'ME owns the Universe/don't sue me', and a 'selfishness' one, in case I've overstepped the bounds of fanfic decorum in a selection.

More than once, its delayed my chapters, and caused me to temper my writing.

And you're right ~ TPTB can add whomever they please: make them tragic and attractive and smart and possessing of one indispensible talent/skill, and they're to be loved and accepted. Not so if its fan-created ~ its tainted.

::sigh::

There are days that I really like my OC. Days that I ponder when her spate is over, and how I'll miss her when she's gone...

But, she has to go sometime.

Me too!

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

When I first started my fic, all I wanted to do was give Spike someone who would love him and not treat him like crap. I didn't know what a Mary Sue was. But the fic was still about Spike...and that's where the difference lies. Same with yours, Deana. Your fic isn't about 'Belle. It's about Spike. Ergo, as far as I'm concerned, she isn't a Sue. She's a well-rounded OC that Spike plays off of, not that plays off of him.

And I'm well aware that fanfic "purists" may argue with me. However, if you're writing a fic that takes place between seasons, when a character may not be interacting with any other characters on the show, or a futurefic where none of the other characters may even be alive...what are you supposed to do? Or are we not supposed to write fics like that?

I understand the fatigue that people feel with Mary Sues. Lord knows I'm tired of them too. But classifying every OC as a MS is an oversimplification that does an injustice to the authors that work hard to make sure that their OC isn't a Sue.

Sometimes I wonder if I would have killed off my OCs in such a manner as I did in the sequel, if I wasn't *so* damb worried about Sue-ing them. And in fact, the male character really didn't serve any purpose in the sequel other than to get Dru pregnant, and then die. *grumble*

I think I'm going to start writing what *I* like, and not worry about what others think so much. I mean, okay, I'm definitely worried about the mechanics (because that's part of the "art" of writing)...but I'm not going to sacrifice good characterization on the altar of Not-Sue-ness.

[sticking tongue out] So there.

Re: Me too!

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

I might get to that point ~ the not caring about anything but being true to the concept and writing to the best of my ability. Not quite there yet.

And I agree ~ futurefic, missing months, separations... time doesn't stand still, even in the WhedonVerse. Stuff happens.

Still isn't helping the writer's block.

::grumbles off to bed::

Re: Me too!

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Sleep well! I'm still staring at my latest and going "Uhhhhhh...." I scribbled a few paragraphs today and may sleep on the next part. Because, fight scenes? Not my strong suit. And I have to decide if Spike is going to be a participant or observer in this....

And I think I may have just answered that question. LOL