Is she a Mary sue?

So I was talking about Mary Sue traits in a chat and I mentioned I have a (main) character in another planned project who has the same nickname as me (though a different full name).

Another person mentioned that was Sueish but I pointed out that she has flaws, makes mistakes , has help leading her group from another girl, and grows throughout the story. Her flaws cause major problems for her and some people who don't like her are actually justified in feeling that way.

Does the fact that she has the same nickname as the author , and plays a role as a major (main in the first part) character alone make her an automatic Sue?

(and technically her nickname isn't based after me it's based after an (imo) underrated character in a show I like that happens to share the same name.

edited 7th Jan '11 7:46:21 PM by JewelyJ

I don't think so.

Not related to the topic: Josieph Sandlot (the red head in my avatar) is a reverse Sue: I created him first then I took on his personae.

Given that across the internet 'Mary Sue' has NO concrete definition I would say do not worry about it.

^ Only people that write Sues would make claims like that. Mary Sue has A LOT of concrete definitions, the only problem is that one of them has yet to be "officially" picked

One Sueish trait doesn't make her a Sue. You should be fine.

When it comes to Mary Sues, key point is execution, execution, execution. Things like fancy names or superpowers or pretty hair are merely potential signs and symptoms. The most super-powered beautiful princess of a doll can be written marvelously, well-loved by most readers, and the most weak, flawed blandy-Mc Jane can be a screeching spot-lighting stealing Sue.

At some point, I think you'll be able to look at your characters and have the confidence to know that they are well-rounded characters and not Sues, without taking any tests or asking anyone if they are or checking their lists of traits. But always remember, EXECUTION, EXECUTION, EXECUTION. It's never the fault of the character. It lies in the hands of the author to handle them right.

<3 ali

That.

Personally, I think that the fear of Sue-ness is very overhyped among the tropers, to the point where it cripples your creative efforts. IMO if you know about the dangers of having a Mary Sue on the cast and fear them, you are pretty much guaranteed to avoid writing one. You may end up writing a Sue-ish character, but hey, fictional heroes have been Escapist Characters to varying degree ever since the invention of fiction itself. Plus, there will always be some readers who'll unconditionally hate everything you write and call it names, so don't take everything you hear at face value.

edited 8th Jan '11 5:30:13 AM by Koveras