I got to seriously thinking about some of the discussions around the internet about this movie character is or isn’t a Mary Sue, or this TV character, or this, or that, etc.
A pattern emerged quickly among the discussions that, according to these conversations, makes a Mary Sue test exceedingly short and simple. So I present one.
The Test
Instructions: keep 2 columns of tallies for answer a or answer b.
1) What is the character’s gender identity?
a) Male
b) Female
2) Is the character competent in more than 1 thing not traditionally a feminine role/activity/interest?
a) No
b) Yes
3) Is the character attractive?
a) No
b) Yes
Time to tally up!
For each tally in a = 0 points. For each tally in b = 1 point
Results:
0 = Congratulations! The character isn’t a Mary Sue! No one will have long conversations on forums, Reddit, etc. Talking about how horribly your character is, or you are as a person.
1 = Borderline territory. You may wish to make some changes, but you’re probably safe. While people may accuse of your character of Sue-ism, you’ll have defenders and the likelihood of them attacking you personally is not very high.
2 = Totally a Sue. Seriously, this character must now die a horrible death. No one can possibly believe the story. You are a hack writer who must be destroyed. Shame on you.
3 = Über Sue. The author must now die a horrible death, her pets, her children, and her car. How dare she commit such blatant Sue-ism upon the pristine landscape of life?!
Jaye Em Edgecliff 