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To those who know about writing and such: Does a Mary Sue/Gary Stu NEVER fail? or their failings are to minimal to take account on them? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by NONE_dc@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I'm writing a story and I'm worried that I might inadvertently turn one of my main characters into a Mary Sue. I'd like to know if it's enough to give her the odd flaw or imperfection or if I should be more drastic and make her screw up big time.

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[–] emergencyfood@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Being a Mary Sue isn't about how often you fail / succeed. Your character can win all the time if their victories are entertaining enough (Munchausen), if they are established as being the best in their field (Saitama) or if their wins feel 'deserved' (Sherlock Holmes[1]). When they win and the audience thinks 'ugh, not again', then you have a Mary Sue. Or if they win at something they should not be good at according to the rest of the story - like Holmes winning a poetry contest or Saitama landing a blow on a mosquito - without any explanation given, you have a Mary Sue.

[1] Yes, I know he fails a couple of times, but again, they're entertaining, which is the important thing.

[–] lukecooperatus@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 months ago

Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock is what I think of as an example of turning a good character into a Mary Sue. He's always pulling things out of his ass that he's inexplicably been planning all along, or surprise he's incredible at some random thing that just happens to be crucial at the moment.

Every Sherlock is like that to an extent, but that version was the worst.