|
Post by zevie on May 2, 2007 2:33:07 GMT -5
I've managed to escape it purely because I've never written any OFCs. But, BOY have I had some Mary-Sue thoughts... I think I might even Sue Dallas a bit sometimes - not Stu, actually Sue. I almost started what would have been a MASSIVE one, but I just lost interest. Years of escaping to the gangs' characters kinda made it boring, and a little stifling to be, well, a girl in the Outsiders world...which I am rethinking now that I'm older. It sounds like MASSIVE fun to write a Mary-Sue on purpose. But, I'm not sure...Mary-Sue thoughts are a hoot (like OFC-author insertion Dallymances - yeah that's a great word - and, conversely, fantasies where you own him with a fiendishly sharp wit) but I think actually putting it on paper for anyone aware of the stigmas and pitfalls would take a lot of guts, and a lot of talent. The writer would also probably have to be a little flame retardant. I think if the writer is heavy-handed with the humour it could be an enjoyable fic to read as well. Not necessarily an MS parody, just funny, lotsa jokes. And maybe try to answer "why" instead of randomness. She gets discovered by the entire gang and taken in, because maybe she accidentally gets handcuffed to, say, Dallas, and the policeman thinks it's a better punishment than jail. Or maybe she gets jumped by the Socs and needs a saving because she's had a terrible haircut and looks like a boy. Okay...well...it's just an example, heh. The short and short of it is, I think it can be done, with a humourous MS (I don't know about the serious ones - and they'd probably be a bore to write) and a lot o' courage. I had no idea how much I had to say in favour of Mary-Sues. But, mars, when Triangle is done you should totally do it.
|
|
|
Post by Rock on May 2, 2007 11:27:55 GMT -5
Oh, have I written a Mary-Sue. And a long, deranged one at that. I still love that story (although I realize its terribly cliche in almost every way). I think I love it so much because it was my first story, my first real character, and my first experience in Outsiders fandom.
However, that being said, I will move on.
I knew that this story was somewhat cliche at the beginning, but I don't think I knew HOW cliche. And as it went on, it became worse and worse. So, heres my warning. If you give Mary-Sue and inch, it will suck you in and take you for a 5 mile ride. DON'T DO IT!
*And if you do (we all know we think about it here and there) at least don't post it until you are done and you are sure you haven't been sucked in too far.* And by all means, write it to yourself. Sometimes that is fun, and can even help you keep the cliches out of your "serious" writing.
In short, I don't think it can really be done. I think that for me it was just TOO much fun to write a Mary-Sue. (But one time is definitely enough!)
|
|
|
Post by Keira on May 2, 2007 20:05:37 GMT -5
I agree with Rock. Said Mary-Sue story was a shared collaboration of ours (again, something I would NOT reccommend reading) - but during those few years when I was pumping put a chapter every other day or more, it helped to keep the cliches out of my good stories.
Everyone needs a "guilty pleasure" for themselves, and maybe a few select friends, but as a general rule, if that guilty pleasure is a Mary Sue they need to be kept away from the public, haha. No one wants to read someone else's guilty pleasure Mary Sue story. And if they do... well. I'm not going to say anything. I'd rather not say anything if I can't say something nice, lol.
But yes, I have a Mary-Sue. One that has not been touched in a good two and a half years... and should have been stopped far before then, haha.
|
|
|
Post by fairlane on May 3, 2007 1:21:07 GMT -5
My first story I ever wrote aged 13 centered on a girl who tamed a wild horse that no one else could ride and went on to win some horse show, while also wining the heart of the sexy bad boy blah blah. Need I add she was also an orphan lol.
Of course I'd never heard of Mary Sue back then, and actually thought my idea was pretty cool. It wasn't until a couple of years later that I re-read it and just cringed.
But for someone who has never written creativly before, writing a perfect character is a lot easier than writing a character who has faults yet is still likable, I think it's a learning experience. I am just glad that there was no ff.net when I was 13 or I'm sure there would be some cliche-ridden Mary-Sue/Dally with my name on it there!
eta - I think the parody idea sounds funny I would love to see how many reviews you get going "omg this is like the best story ever!!!"
|
|
|
Post by zevie on May 3, 2007 18:00:31 GMT -5
Hmm...I've already given my opinion on this too much Artemis (sorry), but seriously, I don't think Laura is a Mary-Sue. She's not perfect in the sense that everyone would want to be her, which is how I see most Mary-Sues. She's just a goody-goody, lol. She doesn't kick anyone's ass, she's not described as a raaaaavishing beauty, she doesn't turn Dallas into her b*tch. She may need work, that's really your call. But, sorry girl, Laura's just not a member of the Mary-Sue club.
|
|
|
Post by Tensleep on May 9, 2007 23:35:57 GMT -5
You know, I don't think I have ever consciously written a Mary Sue. I try to stay away from it, if I can, but once in a while my characters end up doing sue-ish things. Like baking and mothering them all. Maybe there's a Mother-Sue archetype...
For most authors, I think that Sues are either a very obvious implantation or they happen without notice until someone points them out and you have to go back and do a double take. One of my male characters was accused of this and I was pretty amused when he got a high score on an on line Mary-Sue test. Man, your subconscious comes up with some pretty awesome things when you let it.
As for wanting to write one, well, I think that would be an 'only if it was hilarious' type story. Serious Mary-Sues make me groan.
See ya in the funny papers!!!
Tens
|
|
|
Post by Tensleep on May 10, 2007 21:44:10 GMT -5
Oh, Mother!Sue, she's scary. Just fixing every d**n thing in the whole universe that author disagrees with and just basically crapping all over S.E.'s vision. Dude, she actually exists? Man...
|
|
|
Post by Tensleep on May 10, 2007 22:08:52 GMT -5
I think my Mother!Sue will stick to baking....
Thanks for the info! Perhaps you could add her description to the Mary Sue corner as well.
|
|
akanechan
New In Town
Pimp hat = Awesome :D
Posts: 16
|
Post by akanechan on May 12, 2007 0:45:31 GMT -5
Embarrasingly, I have. XD Especially in my first ever obsession, before I was introduced into fandoms, I would make my own little Sonic the Hedgehog stories (DON'T LAUGH D< I WAS LITTLE) with a human major Mary-sue! She's be perfect, unoriginally ripped from the original characters, have every single angst thing to happen to her, etc. Thankfully, I was introduced to "flaws". Ironically, I was introduced to "give your chararacter flaws" before the Mary-sue term. Mind you, I don't make ANY original characters anymore. Though I once made a female Outsiders original character, since I'm really bad at making males, but I killed her off a long time ago. XP NEVER REMIND ME OF THIS EMBARRASSING POST AGAIN. *hides under a random sheet*
|
|
|
Post by Ryker on May 14, 2007 11:30:51 GMT -5
I have written a Mary-Sue fic tons of times and even a SisterSue fic, but it when I first started out writing years ago. I had no idea what MS's were I just thought my characters and plots were different and 'original'.
Of course, it wasn't until I joined fanfic I realised I wasn't being different and I trashed every MS fic I wrote, lol.
|
|
|
Post by Maddiecake on Aug 22, 2007 14:37:16 GMT -5
When I first started out writing Outsiders fanfiction (I was eleven or twelve...) I had this "amazing" idea for a Rumblefish/Outsiders crossover where there was this sister of Rusty-James' and all that...
needless to say, when I re-read it, I cringed and wondered why I kept it up there.
|
|
|
Post by BlindedxxFalcon on Aug 25, 2007 20:50:06 GMT -5
Well, now that you mention it....
No. I won't even read one unless its a parody.
|
|
Des
Teeny Bopper
Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.
Posts: 107
|
Post by Des on Aug 26, 2007 21:36:40 GMT -5
I just cannot write a girl very well.
-laughs-
Flame in No Sugar Tonight is the closest I can come to writing a female character, and she's loosely based on my best friend of over 30 years, so it comes easy with her.
A Mary Sue will never even enter my thoughts, much less one of my fics.
|
|
|
Post by murderofcrows on Jul 7, 2008 14:43:13 GMT -5
when i first started writing, i wasn't very good...yeah, i wrote a few sue's [never published them online, thank god] and yeah, i wasn't very good at characterization...but when i re-read them and cringed, i learned what to do and what not to do, so in that way, it was actually kind of helpful
|
|
cooroo
Teeny Bopper
All we hear is Radio Gaga...
Posts: 171
|
Post by cooroo on Dec 28, 2008 19:07:56 GMT -5
Have I ever written a Mary Sue? No! And don't ask questions! *Backs off quickly, muttering* Ok, ok, yes, I'm guilty of Sue-ism. However, I am not guilty of posting a Sue. I wrote a fair few when I was younger. I hadn't discovered The Outsiders yet, thank goodness, so I didn't do anything with that, but I just know that I would've written a Curtis sister story. A horribly OOC one, too. Surprisingly, though, the first fanfiction I ever wrote wasn't a Mary Sue story. For a first attempt, I think it was pretty good. It was Harry Potter and, though it did have a OFC, she wasn't a Mary Sue. However, things just went downhill from there. From back up
|
|