Text Help Keep the Mary-Sue Out of My OC

[Morgana 1]

Hello, I am new to this site and hope I am posting this is the correct section. 

 

Just recently I had an idea for a new OC and I would like everyone's opinions to help make sure I am not making a mary-sue due to the backstory I have for her. This idea is still very fresh so I apologize if I do not have enough information to help form a solid opinion.

 

My OC is from an original world that is taken by the heartless when she is about 9 years old. While most refugees end up in Traverse Town or a second world of my own creation, this character ends up at Olympus Coliseum, more specifically the outskirts of the playable area and near Medusa's Grove. This Medusa is based off of the one from the Animated Hercules series; a benevolent, lonely young gorgon around Herc's age who just wants friends. 

 

Basically my idea was for my OC to be brought up by Medusa and otherwise live a somewhat secluded life with her. They look out for one another and develop something of a sisterly bond. Now in the animated series, Medusa is given sunglasses that prevent her from turning mortals to stone when she looks at them. Whether or not the animated series canons are in the Kingdom Hearts story I ultimately got rid of the glasses (having them broken in a battle or something along those lines). I did this because I wanted to make it an important plot point to Medusa and my OC's relationship that Medusa can not look at her. This really builds up the trust between them and prevents my character from learning or really developing certain skills (such as reading and writing which she never learned on her home world).

 

So my concern is that, even though Medusa is a minor character and non-existent in the Kingdom Hearts universe thus far- does it make my OC a Mary-Sue to basically be brought up by her? My character has no real influence to the canon story or plot of any of the Kingdom Hearts games, she's more a less just a character who goes with the flow of things and never really interacts with any of the major characters. 

 

Please share with me your thoughts and opinions, thank you.

[Stray Reaper 143]

As long as your character has flaws it really can't be a Mary Sue. A Mary Sue to means a character who is absolutely perfect at everything they do and due to your character's upbriging there probably will be quite a few. Choosing to bring in minor characters to light is actually pretty cool and lets you deal with less of the cannon associated with the world. That is just my opinion on the matter though.

[Oishii 3,987]

Screw the Mary Sue thing.  Honestly.  It's just immature name calling within the fanfiction circle.  If you have an idea you like, write it and take "constructive criticism" to improve, not childish name calling.  I think your idea sounds good, and as long as you write it well it will make a good story.  

 

Really what you want to looks out for is making sure the characters fits the environment of the story (are the characters realistic and believable within the context of this story's universe?).  Also, the side characters need to carry their own personality, needs, and biases separate from the main character.  I think this is where a lot of writers fall short because they spend so much time on the main character that other characters fall flat, or their actions revolve around the much more developed main character.  If you keep those things in mind you'll be fine.  

 

Just don't let the Mary Sue thing keep you from writing what you want to write.  That's the thing I really think is wrong with throwing around that term because it scares people from writing, which is a terrible thing.

[Grotesquery 603]

More specifically, a Mary Sue is a character with no personal issues to work through, someone who is only in the story for the sole reason of wish-fulfillment. These characters only receive flack because they are generally boring to readers who want something more dynamic. Your character does not seem to fit this description, so long as you build a small character arc around her growing up. For example, giving her a chip on her shoulder from the way she was raised which makes her shy and unable to look at people directly would give her a unique problem to deal with. This does not make her a Mary Sue because, even though it gives her more focus in the overall narrative, it is an understandable character flaw that needs to be conquered.

 

That being said, I agree with Oishii. When you're first starting out it's best to just forget your worries and write whatever you feel passionately about. Share it with others, and if they say that something could have been done better, take it into consideration and maybe revise your early work if you feel they're right. Don't be afraid to fail; failure is just a part of the process.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Arcmin

[LeYenrz 276]

As a writer myself, your character being a Mary Sue does not make any sense at all. The definition of a Mary Sue is someone who's pretty much static in characteristics and nature. They take up the majority of the plot by doing mostly nothing and have no flaws whatsoever. Your OC seems to be just a regular minor character. Just because she's being brought up by a disney character would not mean that she's a Mary Sue at all. In fact, within the description you gave me, there isn't sufficient enough information for me to tell whether or not she is a Mary Sue anyways. By the definition I stated previously, if your character was perfect all around and just went around boo-hooing about her troubles the majority of the story and does nothing in particular, then she would be a Mary Sue. You have to tell me her personal characteristics if you want me to tell you whether or not your OC is a Mary Sue.

 

Not to mention that minor

 

And as Oishii said previously, the term Mary Sue is pointless anyways. It's a weak term that is just nonchalantly tossed around the internet that is often misused. It should hold no real value or salt. So don't use it Seriously.

 

Happy Writing^^

Edited August 10, 2014 by khdayskh1314

[Morgana 1]

Thank you to everyone who posted their thoughts and views on my idea. My main worry was that her being looked after by a Disney character, however minor, would be frowned upon by others. I definitely do intend to give her some flaws to make her seem like a more fleshed out person. But with all the great feed back it looks like I don't have much to worry about after all aside from coming up with a good name, lol. Again, thank you all!