Is "Wall of Twilight"'s Regina a Mary-Sue? Here is The Original Fiction Mary-Sue Litmus Test. Check out this great page, because I have copied only the pertinent questions, and because it also has a quick clickable version... but writing down the comments is much more fun! NAME Is the character named after you (this includes your first, middle, and last names, and any nicknames or online names you use)? [20 points] No. Is the character's name an unusual spelling of a more common word or name? [3 points] Is the character's name a noun or adjective not normally used as a name? [2 points] Does the character's name contain unnecessary hyphens, apostrophes, or other punctuation? (e.g. M'chelle, Gloria-Angelica, etc.) [4 points] Does the character have more than one first, middle, or last name, without reason? [3 points] No, it's a normal German (and East European) name. Does the character have a name you really, really like? [1 point] Not really, I took a lot to choose it and it still doesn't do much to me. Does the character's name describe her/his personality? (e.g. Tristan means sad, Darcy means dark, Charity means charity, etc.) [1 point] In a way yes. 1 point. Is the character's name unlikely or highly unusual in relation to the time or place where she/he lives or grew up? [1 point] No. Does the character have a nickname or pseudonym? [1 point] She has an alias. 2 points. Is the character's name foreign, even though the character isn't? [1 point] No. She IS German, alas. Does the character have a name or nickname that corresponds to a mythological/literary/historical/etc. figure (e.g. Venus, Faustus, Bonaparte)? [1 point] No. APPEARANCE Does the character appear to be much younger than she/he really is? [3 points] No, if ever she looks older. Is the character highly attractive? [3 points] [Add only 1 point if the character has to work hard to maintain her/his physical beauty.] Yes, despite the fact that she does absolutely nothing for her appearance. 6. Are one or more other characters attracted to her/him? [1 point] Yeeees... 7. Even though they are involved with someone else? [1 point] Yeah. 8. In defiance of sexual orientation? [4 points] Uh, no. Is an otherwise chaste or stoic character immediately attracted to her/him? [3 points] Yes, the protagonist!!! 10. Does the character have an unusual eye color, or otherwise exceptional eyes? [3 points] No, plain blue. Does the character have eyes that somehow "reflect hidden depths or experience or sorrow"? [4 points] I don't think so, she's quite enigmatic. Does the character have an appearance unsuited to the time or place (e.g. perfect hair prior to the invention of shampoo, a woman wearing pants in 1805, etc.)? [3 points] No. She wears stolen or borrowed stuff from the Forties. Does the character get a disproportionate amount of physical description compared to the rest of the characters? [2 points] No, quite the contrary. Who cares about describing women? :P Does the character have unusual or exceptional hair, or does her/his hair get a disproportionate amount of description compared to that of the other characters? [3 points] No, she has badly cut hair and I think it's normal for the circumstances. Is the character a fashion plate (this applies to any style of dress, from preppie to goth to Western to Elvish, and so on)? [2 points] No. Does the character dress in a manner you find particularly attractive, sexy, or cool? [1 point] She wears a skirt, so, no. (Bothersome skirts.) Even though it's illogical for the character to dress this way (for monetary reasons, for instance, or because it interferes with her/his job)? [3 points] No, see above. Is the character ever described as "thin enough to be anorexic," where this is intended as a compliment? [1 point] Certainly not! [Subtract 3 points if the character is over 20 and appears much older than she/he really is.] She IS over 20, but she does not appear THAT older. [Subtract 3 points if the character is overweight for the full duration of the story. "Buxom" does not count.] Overweight in the middle of WWII? I don't think so. CHARACTER Does the character have a clone or identical twin? [7 points] [Add only 1 point if there are a large number of clones in your story, and your character is neither the original nor above average in prowess.] That's just what this story lacks, clones and zombies! Is the character of above average intelligence? [1 point] Yes, she needs to be. 11. Is she/he a genius? [1 point] Not really... Is the character related to royalty or nobility? [4 points] Define "related" and "nobility". I'd say no. Is the character rich or well-to-do, although she/he doesn't work? [1 point] No. Is the character heir to a large fortune? [1 point] The sole heir? [1 point] Not at all! Is the character the last surviving member of a family/clan/race/species/etc.? [2 points] Yes, a family. 13. Was the character ever the sole survivor of a calamity? [4 points] No. Was the character ever estranged from her/his family/tribe/country/etc.? [1 point] Was the character ever forcibly banished from her/his family/tribe/country/etc.? [3 points] No to both. She will be, but I'm not making this count. Does the character have amnesia? [4 points] And does she/he still retain a trinket of some kind from her/his past? [4 points] [Subtract 3 points if the character never remembers any of what she/he has forgotten.] She has battle fatigue, but not full amnesia. Is the character a minority, a woman, or a member of a lower caste, who succeeds or makes a contribution in spite of her/his social disadvantage? [3 points] She's an utter failure, so no. Does the character have an angsty childhood, or an angsty past? [1 point] Yes. 14. And does she/he angst about it during the story? (Angsting does not necessarily include simply relating events to an interested third party.) [2 points] No, she's close-lipped about it. Does the character have angst in the present? [1 point] Yes, she's in love with a married enemy soldier. 15. Was the character an illegitimate birth? [1 point] Was the character ever abducted? [1 point] Was the character abandoned by her/his caregivers? [2 points] Was the character born into slavery, or forced into slavery or prostitution? [1 point] No, no, no, no. Was the character born/raised in extreme poverty? [1 point] Yes. 16. Did the character run away from home (for more than just a few days)? [1 point] No. Did the character ever suffer physical or emotional abuse [2 points] Yes. 17. Did the character ever suffer sexual abuse [2 points] No. Does the character feel guilty about something terrible that happened in the past? [1 point] Even despite overwhelming evidence that it wasn't her/his fault? [2 points] No and no. Does the character consider her/his beauty/talent/skill/etc. a curse? [3 points] No. [Subtract 2 points if the character is a protagonist but ever freely, willingly, and knowingly worked for the villain/evil regime.] A-HA! Yes. 15. MORE ON CHARACTER Is the character unusually accomplished for her/his age/species/etc.? [2 points] Yes. 17. Is the character fluent in more than two languages? [1 point] You bet. 18. More than four languages? [2 points] Come on, now... Has the character traveled extensively? [1 point] Is Poland-France "extensive"? 19. Does the character collect things you consider intellectual or cultured? [1 point] No, she has no place where to put them. Does the character have a faithful pet or animal familiar? [1 point] That isn't a dog, cat, horse, or bird? [3 points] Yes, she has Marija. OK, this was mean. Is the character educated despite living in a time or place where education is not widespread? [2 points] [Ignore these points if the character is a scribe, monk, priest, scholar, etc.] Hard to answer. Women could be fairly educated in the Forties. I say no. Is the character consistently irreverent or radical, without repercussions? [1 point] No. Does the character ever easily learn a difficult skill (e.g. learn to play guitar in a matter of weeks)? [3 points] Not easily. Does the character have an amazing singing voice? [1 point] Never heard her sing. [Subtract 3 points if the character has ever fairly lost in any kind of duel, fight, or competition against someone of equal or lesser ability, and the winner was not the character's rival.] Huh? Does the character play a musical instrument well? [1 point] No time for it. Does the character use a katana or any other Asian weapon [1 point] Despite being of non-Asian heritage? [3 points] No, she uses a German weapon. Does the character "just know things"? [5 points] No, she's pretty thick... Does the character have an accent relative to her/his country of residence? [1 point] Didn't I answer this one already? 20. Does the character have a major quirk or habit in common with you? [2 points] Probably, but nothing comes to my mind at the moment. Does the character have a physical handicap that does not hinder her/him significantly? [6 points] [Subtract 4 points if the character is significantly physically handicapped.] [Subtract 10 points if the character is significantly mentally handicapped.] No and no and no. Do animals or children instinctively like the character? [3 points] Does Bill count?... [Subtract 1 point if the character is a smoker.] I should think about it. Right now, no. [Subtract 2 points if the character has a dependency or addiction that is or would be very hard to break (e.g. alcoholism, drugs, gambling, sex addiction, etc.)] [Subtract another point if the character never overcomes this vice.] Mmmm... no. [Subtract 2 points if the character has a significant personality flaw (e.g. she/he is a spoiled brat, is horribly judgmental or biased, is irrationally violent, is naive and easily manipulated, etc.)] [Subtract another point if these flaws persist until the character's death, OR subtract another 2 points if these flaws persist beyond the end of the story.] [Subtract another 2 points if these flaws get the character in serious trouble (e.g. she/he gets fired, gets killed, gets someone else hurt, etc.)] Naive and easily manipulated, check. Down at least 4 points. 14. Does the character have a special birthmark or other marking? [4 points] Does the character have a physical "flaw" that does not actually detract from her/his beauty (e.g. lips too full, white strip in hair, etc.)? [2 points] No and no. Does the character have wings (this counts even if she/he is an angel, only has wings sometimes, can't fly, etc.) [10 points] HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA [Subtract 1 point for each of the following that applies to the character: She/he remains in a committed relationship for the full duration of your story. She/he has a child or children for the greater part of your story. She/he does not learn from major mistakes. She/he has very little or no empathy for other people. She/he is selfishly manipulative or sadistic (e.g. threatens self-harm, lies, blackmails, etc. in order to get her/his way).] Committed relationship... er... no. WORK AND PLAY Is the character astonishingly good at something that is not her/his profession? [1 point] No. Does the character have any particular skill at which she/he the best or among the best? [2 points] She has to. 16. And is she/he widely known for this skill? [2 points] ARE YOU JOKING? Does the character have any particular area of study/information/etc. in which she/he is the most knowledgeable or among the most knowledgeable? [2 points] Isn't this the same as above? 18. And is she/he widely known for having this knowledge? [2 points] Lagarde would have apoplexy... Is the character the sole or last practitioner of a particular martial art or magic? [3 points] Is the character one of only two practitioners of a particular martial art or magic, in a master/student relationship? [3 points] Does the other practitioner die during the course of the story? [2 points] No, no, no. Does the character hold your job? [2 points] Thankfully for her, no. Does the character hold your dream job? [3 points] Thankfully for me, no. Even though sometimes working for Hitler sounds more attractive than many other things... Is the character a female in a role not suited for women in the place/time period (e.g. a female cop before 1900, a female soldier in the US army before 1970, etc.)? [5 points] Damn. 23. Is the character a secret agent? [1 point] It's the point of the story. 24. A double agent? [2 points] She's barely able to spy for one side... And wears high heels or leather? [5 points] NO!!! Is the character, or was she/he ever... (add points for all that apply) An assassin? [1 point] It's the only thing that applies. 24. [If your character exists in an otherwise normal universe, add 2 points to her/his score for *each* of the following abilities that your character possesses (with or without the aid of charms, spells, etc.). If, however, possession of these abilities is considered normal in your character's universe, add only 1 point each.] The ability to kill people with her/his bare hands Skill in martial arts or hand-to-hand combat Sharp-shooting She's supposed to do these things. 27 Does the character share more than one of your hobbies or interests? [1 point] And is she/he better at these hobbies or more knowledgeable about these interests than you are? [2 points] No idea. Does the character have the same taste in music as you have? [1 point] In books? [1 point] In movies? [1 point] [Add another 5 points if you said yes to all three.] See above. Although she's obviously seen "Casablanca". Does the character have what you consider better or more refined taste than you have in music? [1 point] In books? [1 point] In movies? [1 point] See above. Does the character have the same religious or spiritual beliefs as you? [2 points] [Subtract 3 points if her/his beliefs are radically different from yours for the full duration of the story.] I don't know, she never talks or thinks about it. [skipped] THE PLOT Has everyone significant heard of the character? [2 points] Nobody but Lagarde. Do all of the important characters end up liking/respecting/fearing her/him? [3 points] Did they all like/respect/fear her/him from the beginning? [1 point] [Subtract 2 points if everyone liked the character at first, but ends up disliking her/him by the end of the story.] Hmmm... no. Some are basically indifferent to her. [Subtract 1 point if the character's problems continue after the end of your story without hope of respite (i.e. she/he neither dies nor gets a happy ending).] Yeah! 26. Is the character repeatedly rivalled by the same person? [3 points] That would mean Wickham? Not sure. Is your character a member of The Resistance or a band of freedom fighters? [1 point] Is your character the leader or a lieutenant of The Resistance or a band of freedom fighters? [2 points] A-ha, close but no cigar. Does the character suffer punishment for a crime she/he did not commit? [2 points] No, she did commit it! [Subtract 2 points if your character ever willfully commits rape or murder.] Yeah! 24. (Murder. Not rape. Shut up, YOU. She didn't try to rape you. And don't laugh.) [Subtract another 2 points if the character goes to prison for the crime.] Does being almost shot in the head count? Does the character reform a villainous character? [3 points] And does the villain become evil again after the character dies or leaves, but retain some last vestige of goodness from his/her interaction with the character? [2 points] No. Lagarde does not count. Does the character fall in (reciprocated) love with, or have sex with, a character you would like to fall in love with or have sex with? [3 points] YES!!! Why would I be writing. otherwise? 27 Is the character someone you would like to fall in love with or have sex with? [3 points] Er, no, she's not my type. Does the character effect a major change in her/his love interest to make said love interest a more appropriate partner? [3 points] Yes, she tries to kill him. Just joking. Has the character ever been nursed back to health from serious injuries by a warm, kind, and loving person? [3 points] Was this person the character's love interest? [2 points] No and no. Kind and loving persons slam her against walls or tell her to get lost. Does the character die a romantic death (e.g. suicide, execution, battle wounds, broken heart, etc.)? [2 points] Eeehhh... hard to say... I'll add 1 point. 28. Does the character die in her/his beloved's arms? [3 points] Lagarde would cringe at being called "beloved". Does the character's beloved die in her/his arms? [3 points] Almost, but not quite. Does the character sacrifice her/himself for love, or so that two other characters can be together? [4 points] Hmmmm... no, she's just dumb. Have you ever written a fight scene in which you described with needless extravagence everything your character did? [2 points] Was this scene inspired by a movie, show, or game? [2 points] Did you actually reference the movie, show, or game (e.g. "He jumped up and hung in the air, like Neo in The Matrix"? [15 points] I suck at fight scenes. YOUR CHARACTER AND YOU Do you draw the character, or ask other people to draw her/him for you, more often than any of your other characters? [2 points] She's not interesting enough. Did you base the character on your favorite previously existing character or person? [4 points] Not this time. Is the character someone you would want to be friends with, assuming she/he would be receptive to friendship with you? [1 point] I guess so. 29. Would you be very surprised if someone did not like the character? [1 point] No, she's just not that likeable. Do you take any negative feedback about the character as a personal affront? [4 points] Not this time. She's not Elita Prime... Is the character a mouthpiece for your own beliefs or views? [3 points] Hard to say. 30,5. Do you have a character journal for her/him? [4 points] No. Do you ever wish you could be like the character? [4 points] No. I wish I could shoot like her, but we never see her shooting. RESULTS: 0-10 points: The Anti-Sue. Your character is the very antithesis of a Mary-Sue. Why are you even taking this test? 11-20 points: The Non-Sue. Your character is a well-developed, balanced person, and is almost certainly not a Mary Sue. Congratulations! 21-35 points: Borderline-Sue. Your character is cutting it close, and you may want to work on the details a bit, but you're well on your way to having a lovely original character. Good work. 36-55 points: Mary-Sue. Your character needs some work in order to be believable. But despair not; you should still be able to salvage her with a little effort. Don't give up. 56-70 points: Über-Sue. You've got one hell of a Mary-Sue on your hands here, and it's not going to be easy to set things right. But do your best. There may be hope for you yet. 71 point or more: Irredeemable-Sue. You're going to have to start over, my friend. I know you want to keep writing, but no. Just no. Interestingly, when I did the clickable version, I got 56... |