I do tend to check the galleries of the people who fave this stamp. I'm going to laugh so hard if someone with a Sue faves this stamp, srsly.

I'm sorry, but in most cases that I've seen, people who support Mary Sues have them. They just don't want to admit that Sues are annoying, so they claim that "people should be allowed to create what they want!". I'm sorry, but no. Just...no. If you're going to make a character, give it some thought. Real people have flaws. Grow up and actually put some effort into your character.

I'm not talking about a character that needs work, I'm talking about the characters who are just so bad they need to be killed with fire and rise from the ashes as a different character.

To support a Sue basically the same as supporting a lack of creativity.

Characters should be balanced both in appearance and personality. Be realistic!

It's okay to have a powerful character, as long as they have flaws. It's okay to have a beautiful character as long as she isn't the love interest of every boy. It's okay to have a character with cat ears if it's a headband, or natural in their world.

Sue traits are all fine and dandy as long as they are used correctly and are balanced.

Please note that this doesn't apply to ALL people. Just some. I'm basing this off my own experiences.

[link] (Template)


EDIT:

I realize that some people make Sues for fun.
I realize that everyone made Sues at one point in their lives, I did too.

And if you're only argument for the support of Sues is "People can create what they want" or "You're not forced to look at it!" Then just don't even bother commenting. Those are weak arguments that I won't discuss.

Actually, I only sort of take that back.

=littlealiengirl made a good point:

"I am actually of the "people should be allowed to create what they want!" camp. They should be. However that doesn't mean that anyone has to like what they create. I think that's the distinction a lot of people don't get."

And she's right, I very much don't like the things some people create. To me, it doesn't make it less wrong or less annoying for people to make Mary Sues. Some Sue makers are just stubborn, easy to get defensive, and refuse to better their characters. That's something that bothers me, people who refuse to improve. I don't have to like it, and I'm not going to. If we're going to go the "EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINION" route, my opinion is that no. People shouldn't make Mary Sues. I never said they aren't allowed to, but they shouldn't. :/

Articles about what a Mary Sue is:
[link] by `salshep
[link] Wikipedia
[link] Encyclopedia Dramatica

Mary Sue Tests (Because I know you all loooooove them:

[link] Universal Litmus Test

I'm posting this test's rules because I want to make sure people ACTUALLY READ THEM. It clears up a lot of confusion and frustration. Now you've seen the rules two different places. :/

How to use this test:
Answer all questions for which the answer is 'yes' or 'technically yes' unless the item mentioned is commonplace in the universe you are writing for. If most people in your story's world have wings, skip the question about flying. If it's established that anyone can have technicolor hair (as in many Japanese cartoons) pink coifs don't apply as "unusually" colored hair. If your character had an exotic name because you make up most of your characters' names, you would not answer yes to having an unusual-sounding name that you made up. Sue-ness is relative.

If your character is a role-playing character and the only reason you can answer 'yes' is because of other players acting of their own free wills (IE, everyone has their characters throwing themselves at your character's feet and you've done nothing to force this) do not answer yes to the corresponding question.

Make sure that you answer the questions properly depending on what type of universe your character is in:
Fanfiction - a story set in a world you didn't make up.
Original Fiction - a story set in a world you made up yourself.
RPG - Role-Playing Game.

If you see a question that looks like it's been linked, rest your cursor over it - it contains a tool tip, which should contain further information on the subject.

Please, please, please remember that these are the symptoms, not the disease. I am not implying that each of these traits is inheirently bad and should be avoided at all costs. Think of them as being like salt or spices - they serve to enhance the dish when used in the right amounts, but when used too liberally, the result tends to be quite unappetizing.

While it is true that some writers are skilled enough to pull off characters that fall into the 'Sue category, do not assume that you are one of them. I've seen plenty of Sue-authors fall into this trap. Instead, go out and get feedback from people more experienced in reading/writing, preferably adults. Not teenagers. Adults.

Furthermore, this test has never been nor probably will be perfect. At best, I can only offer it as a guide, not an instruction manual.

UPDATE: Many people who have taken this test have claimed it's impossible to get a non-Sue unless your character is a plain ordinary human, or that my test is biased against fantasy characters. I've used this test on several fantasy characters, including characters from certain popular video games and other media, and they came out just fine. So perhaps your character is a bit more of a Sue than you want to admit.


[link] The Original Fiction Mary-Sue Litmus Test

If you think the test is bullshit, please take the Universal Litmus test for one of your OCs/FCs/RPCs and tell me the results. I want to be sure you're not just butthurt that your character is a Sue according to the test. Don't cheat!