I am writing an original fiction as well, and I want to be sure my main character is not too Sue-ish, even though she can't be a Sue because it's not fanfiction. Anyway, I have been going through the Sue checklist...
-the hero is a girl
Yes, this is true.
-she has an exotic name
Again true, but her name is somewhat important to the plot. I have a reason for her to have an exotic name.
-her eyes, hair or both are an unusual colour
Maybe so, but only if there aren't too many more things checked off on this list. Again, I have a reason.
-the writer’s favourite character falls in love with her
Who is my favorite character...Nope, that's not going to happen!
-she has all the good characteristics the writer would like to have herself
Um, no. She's got a rather bad attitude. I find her quite bratty.
-she has none or very few flaws in her personality: she is kind to everyone, brave, beautiful, sickeningly sweet…
As I just said, she's bratty. She's also a bit of a coward.
-she often has immense supernatural abilities
Nope, none of those.
-everything in the story is centred around her
Well, she is the main character!
-she makes other characters behave uncharacteristically
They can't, as they come from my head. They behave however I want them to.
-she often sings (but not all singers are Mary-Sues)
She can sing when she wants to, but doesn't think she can, therefore doesn't very often.
Do not make her royalty of any type.
I haven't decided yet if she's royalty, but there's a good chance of it.
Do not have her die and have everyone cry over her loss.
Nope, she's not dying!
Tortured pasts are forbidden.
No tortured past.
As are mystery pasts.
Oh dear! Not good! She doesn't know anything about her past...but she doesn't know she doesn't know.
So, that's 3 definate yesses, 6 definate nos, 3 maybes, and 2 non-applicable to original fiction. I guess that makes her not too Sue-ish. Whew!
<font size=1 color=339966>[ 7:25 PM January 31, 2004: Message edited by: Elennar Starfire ]
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