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Post by penne on Dec 13, 2012 7:24:20 GMT -5
911 (Better, Terry?)
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Post by Skelly Craig on Dec 13, 2012 13:11:41 GMT -5
Yeah, I'll probably have to call it because I might die if I don't get Lemona's number  PS: The emergency number over here is actually 999. |
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Post by penne on Dec 13, 2012 16:25:43 GMT -5
Well I don't know where you live. I just said 911, because it's more well known.
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Post by Tryina Denouement on Dec 13, 2012 22:30:25 GMT -5
I don't really remember, I think the number is 901 in my country. Probably, because it's been years ago since someone told me.
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Post by KlausBaudelaire833 on Dec 13, 2012 23:11:20 GMT -5
Pop quiz! Answer or DIE!!!
1. What is cat?
2. Should people lick doorknobs on other planets?
3. Help! Earth is being conquered! What must you do?
4. If I had four apples, then later I ate one, how many pandas does it take to change a lightbulb?
5. 1+1=?
6. Is this a trick question?
7. What is fly fishing?
8. I know where you live...
9. How many videos does Youtube have?
10. If a leaf falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it, does it dance?
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Post by Tryina Denouement on Dec 14, 2012 5:20:56 GMT -5
I earned this from dA.
OC Mary Sue/Gary Stu Test
This test is designed for Original Characters. Questions for Role Play Characters and Fan Characters will be added soon.
Now, this tests for both the traditional Mary Sue/Gary Stu, and for 'gloomdog' style characters, which I suppose is a sub-category of the Mary Sue, but is often over-looked in this kind of test.
------------Instructions------------
Further down this test, there is a list of traits and characteristics, each one stating how many points that particular trait is worth. Simply read through the list, and give your character the appropriate number of points for each of the listed traits/characteristics displayed by your character.
When you reach the end of the list, add up all of your character's points and refer to the results at the very bottom of the test to see (approximately) where your character is on the Sue Scale.
Now, while you're taking this test please also take into account the world/realm/reality your OC/FC lives in. For example, if your character can fly, but they live in the real world, this would of course give them a point. But if they live in a world where having a pet dragon is commonplace, do not give them a point. Basically, just use your common sense. If they are a Naruto Fan Character, don't give them a point for having special powers because that is common in the Naruto world, etc.
Also, I would like you to remember that none of these points on it's own makes your character a sue. It is only when your character begins displaying lots of these traits that we are getting into Sue territory.
------------Examples and Advice------------
Let me just give you a few examples of some characters I made up on various points of the Sue-Scale. This is mainly for new writers, or writers that are not as confident, or feel they need some guidance and advice to help them judge their character. Experienced writers may want to skip this part.
Let's say we have a character called Jamie. Jamie is 15 years old, and attends Secondary School. His heart is in the right place, but he often loses his temper, resulting in many arguments and detentions. As far as looks go he is fairly average, although unbeknown to him one of his classmates has a crush on him. As well as being a schoolboy, he is also secretly part of an underground society of mages, due to the fact that his father is also a member.
His father cares about him a lot- sometimes too much- and his mother loves him too, although she does not know his and his father's secret. He sometimes has a hard time balancing training as a mage and doing well in school, resulting in some tricky situations and escapades.
Okay, let's analyze this character. Jamie in his personality is nicely balanced. He is not too roguish, and not too perfect. He isn't a girl-magnet either, which is a trap many new writers fall into (making their characters overly-attractive). Now, he lives in an alternate version of the real world where magic exists, albeit only in secret. Since he is one of a rare group, and gifted with a rare power, that would push him up the Sue Scale a bit, but he's still nowhere near being a Sue. Another factor that stops him getting too many points over the whole magic thing is that he is not the ONLY mage, and he has a reasonable explanation as to why he is being trained as one (his father). So overall, this character is fairly well balanced, he is not a Plain Jane, but he's not anywhere near being a Sue either, although it wouldn't take much more to push him up there. One more point I feel I have to make is that there is a difference between 'Generic' and 'Mary Sue' this Jamie character is generic and pretty unoriginal (mainly because I made him up on the spot) but he isn't a Sue. A character can be generic without being a Sue, and a character can be a Sue without being Generic.
Our next character is called Olivia. Olivia lives in the real world, with no 'added extras' (magic etc). She is a student who has just moved out of home. She lives with her two friends, and overall is doing fairly well at University, even though she is missing home. In her personality, she is studious and kind.
Well, there isn't really much to say on this character, because there isn't really much to her as far as being good in a story goes. She is what you'd call a 'Plain Jane', a character that although they are very plausible, probably won't provide much interest in a story. (Although this is assuming she stays that way, and nothing major to change that happens). But, you could could still do some good writing with her. SInce she lives in a 'no added extras' real world, we can't have her develop magic powers, or uncover some supernatural talent. But, with a reasonable amount of skill she could make a good character in a romance or crime story. Just because she lives in the real world, doesn't mean her personality and views can't change throughout the story.
Remember, it's better to have a Plain Jane than a Mary Sue.
Our next character is called Valkyrie. She lives in the real world, but she is beginning to develop magic powers. She can read people's minds, and sometimes control what they do. She thinks of these powers as a curse, and it scares her sometimes. Both of her parents are dead, but it is later revealed that this is because they were demon-hunters, and Valkyrie's powers are because when demons came to kill her and her parents when she was only a toddler, the demons could not kill her her, instead she ended up taking some of their power. This is because she is a special child, only one like her is born is born every 1000 years. She is destined to bring down the demon world once and for all, but for now she is just struggling with school and having all the boys constantly checking out her perfect figure, which she hates because she thinks she is ugly. In her personality she is kind, always helpful and excels at school, even though she thinks she isn't good enough. She lives with her grandparents, who are very restrictive over her because they don't understand teens these days.
It pained me to write that. Valkyrie is a blatantly obvious Sue, heck, just look at her name. She has a strange out of place name, she has magic powers, her parents are dead, she is some sort of 'chosen one', she is very intelligent but doesn't think she is, she is very attractive but doesn't think she is, her grandparents are ever so cruel to her, and she has a heart of gold. Look, if your character is anything like this, you're going to have a hard time toning them down. I recommend starting again.
------------A Few More Tips------------
Here are just a few more tips that might help you avoid the dreaded Sue:
-Don't give them a really terrible past. It's cliché, over-used and often used as an easy way out for justifying your character's personality and traits.
-Don't give them any kind of disorder such as bi-polar or OCD. Of course it is possible to pull it off very well (such as the widely acclaimed book 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' but I think it's a bit too difficult to pull off without being offensive and Sue-ish for a novice writer, it requires a great amount of skill, which hardly any young writers possess. I'm generalising here, but I would say to just leave that one to the pros.
-Don't make them super-attractive, unless this is going to be used for a purpose other than simply having all the other characters fall in love with them. It's better to leave this trait for supporting characters and comedy stories.
-Try not to self-insert. For those who don't know what that is, a self-insert is a character that is either very much like the writer, or how the writer wishes they were. If your character is a self-insert it's hard to make them balanced, as we tent to either look past or fail to see out own faults, and tend to get particularly defensive when our self-inserts are analyzed, as we feel like it is personal attack on us, not the character.
------------Without Further Ado...------------
FInally we get to the actual test. It may not be wholly accurate, yada yada yada. Don't flame me if your character scores as a Sue on this test etc.
The Test
Their name is unusual for their world/time/country (3 points)
...It's your name (1 point)
...It's a normal name, just spelled differently, such as 'Dayve' (1 point)
...It's a random name you just made up, such as Ulionaka (1 point)
..It has some special significance (1 point)
...They also have a really cool nickname (1 point)
Their eye colour is unusual for their world/time/country (2 points)
...This colour happens to be red (1 point)
...Their eyes change colour/have any other unusual traits (2 points)
...They have odd-coloured eyed (e.g one is blue one is brown) (1 point)
...They have a 'haunting' or 'powerful' gaze (2 points)
...They are outcast/discriminated against because of it (2 points)
Their hair/fur colour and/or style is unusual for their world/time/country (3 points)
...Their hair/fur changes colour (2 points)
...They are outcast/discriminated against because of it (2 points)
They are highly attractive to others (4 points)
...But they don't think they are as attractive as others claim (2 points)
...They look like you (1 point)
...They look how you wished you look (2 points)
...They look similar to a celebrity (1 point)
...They look similar to an anime/cartoon character (2 points)
...They have had children, yet still have a perfect figure (2 points)
They are currently in a relationship (2 points)
...Their lover has eyes only for them (2 points)
...Their lover is abusive (-2 points)
...Thier lover is a lover you would want yourself (2 points)
They dress according to a certain sterotype (Punk, Emo, etc) (3 points)
...They dress unusually/unacceptably for their setting (2 points)
...They dress how you dress (2 points)
...They dress how you wish you could get away with dressing (3 points)
They have a noticeable scar (1 point)
...That does not detract from their overall appearance (make them less attractive) (3 points)
...In fact, it makes them seem more 'cool' or 'badass' or 'mysterious' (3 points)
...The scar has left them disfigured/undesirable (-4 points)
(For girls only) They are thin, and yet still have a large bra size (unless they have implants) (3 points)
...They have fake breasts (-2 points)
They are very strong and/or muscular, yet never work out/have a bad diet (3 points)
...Their figure does not reflect their eating habits (e.g. All they eat is junk food, they they are still in great shape)(2 points)
They are disliked/hated by jealous people for their looks (4 points)
They are of a race/species that is discriminated against (2 points)
...They are a half-breed/mix (1 point)
...They are discriminated against because of this (2 points)
...They campaign against this discrimination (1 point)
...They eventually abolish this discrimination (3 points)
...They try to abolish this discrimination, but fail (-3 points)
They are a half-breed, and get the best of both sides (3 points)
...They are a half-breed and get the worst of both sides (-3 points)
They have animal ears and/or claws and/or a tail (ignore if you character IS an animal) (3 points)
...They only have cat/wolf/fox ears (3 points)
...They are some kind of mutant (2 points)
There are some kind of/partly some kind of mythical creature (e.g. Vampire, werewolf, elf etc. Ignore if they live in a world where this is common, e.g. being an Elf in the Eragon universe) (4 points)
...And they consider this to be a curse (4 points)
...But they are immune to that creature's weaknesses (e.g. A vampire immune to garlic) (3 points)
...They were made into this creature by a lover (e.g. Bella Swan from Twilight) (4 points)
They can summon any kind of creature or object at will (2 points)
...They cannot control when said creature/object appears (-1 point)
They are possessed/inhabited/bonded to a supernatural being (e.g an angel or a demon. Ignore if this is common, such as having a daemon in the Golden Compass universe) (4 points)
...This gives them special powers/abilities (3 points)
...They consider this a curse (3 points)
...The being gives them advice/protection (2 points)
...They willingly give up this being, even though they were benefiting from being joined with them (-3 points)
They have an unusual pet for their setting (3 points)
...This pet is a wolf/big cat/fox/bird of prey (3 points)
They have unusual/opposed opinions and ideas (2 points)
...They share the same views as you (2 points)
...They are discriminated against for these views (2 points)
...Their opinions are scientifically/morally 'correct' (e.g. A person living in the middle ages who believes the world is round, a rich white man in the 1700's who is opposed to slavery) (2 points)
...They eventually give in and change their views/abandon their ideas (-3 points)
They begin/inspire/lead some sort of revolution or uprising (4 points)
...The revolution/uprising is successful (2 points)
...They die in the process (3 points)
...The revolution/uprising is not successful (-3 points)
They can fly (2 points)
...They have wings (2 points)
...They can fly without wings (2 points)
...They fly using a machine they created/invented themselves (2 points)
...They cannot fly in a world where flying is common (-3 points)
They disrespect/dislike authority figures (2 points)
...Because they are just a rebellious character (2 points)
...Because of something that was done to them/a friend/a family member by said authority figure/s (2 points)
...They have good reason to dislike them (-1 point)
...They openly voice their opinions about said authority figure/s yet never get into trouble (3 points)
...They openly voice their opinions about said authority figures and are punished much more harshly than necessary/is usual (3 points)
One of their parents is dead (2 points)
...Both of their parents are dead (4 points)
...Their parents were murdered/their death was unjust (3 points)
...Your character is out to avenge their death/s (3 points)
...But they do not succeed in avenging them (-3 points)
...They never knew their parents (1 point)
...They don't know it, but they are actually royalty/heir to a fortune etc (4 points)
The people they live with/the people who look after them are unkind/irresponsible (3 points)
...The people/person who looks after them dislikes/hates them (2 points)
...This hate is unjustified/unfair (3 points)
In the past has your character...
...Been abused? (2 points)
...Neglected? (2 points)
...Bullied? (1 point)
...Tortured? (2 points)
...Abandoned? (2 points)
...Run away from home (without going back)?(2 points)
...Unjustly accused/punished for a crime/scandal? (2 points)
...Witnessed/caused the death of a family member/friend/lover (3 points)
Children and/or animals instinctively like them (3 points)
...Because of some power they possess (2 points)
...Because they are 'special' or ' chosen' (2 points)
...But your character dislikes children and/or animals (-3 points)
They are intelligent (2 points)
...They are top of their class/profession (2 points)
...They are very modest about it (1 point)
...Their intelligence makes them feel isolated (2 points)
...They are a genius/prodigy (3 points)
...They are disliked/hated by jealous people for their intelligence (2 points)
...They are an inventor (3 points)
...They make a groundbreaking new discovery (3 points)
...They are famous/well respected for their intelligence/work (2 points)
...They have a big ego/are a show-off about it (-3 points)
...You would describe them as a 'troubled genius' type (5 points)
They are the best as what they do (3 points)
...Even though they are young/fairly new to it (3 points)
...They learnt a new skill that normally takes a long time to master very quickly (3 points)
...They can beat the professionals at their own game (3 points)
...They are always very modest and don't accept compliments (1 point)
...They have a big ego/are a show off about it (-3 points)
...They had to work hard for many years to become the best at it (-2 points)
They can shapeshift (2 points)
...They can shapeshift into a wolf/big cat/bird of prey/fox/cat (2 points)
...Then can shapeshift into anything (3 points)
...Including inanimate objects (1 point)
...But they lose this power during the story (-3 points)</b>
...They cannot shapeshift but live in a world where it is common (-3 points)
They possess healing powers (2 points)
...These powers are strong enough to cure serious, life-threatening injuries/illnesses (3 points)
...They use these powers to save a lover/friend/family member/other important person from death (3 points)
...Although they possess these powers, they are unable to save a lover/friend/family member/other important person (-1 point)
</b>...They live in a world where healing powers are common but do not possess them themself (-3 points)
They are telekinetic/pyrokinetic/clairvoyant/have sixth sense etc (3 points)
...They are strong in this power (2 points)
...They use this power to protect save someone important (2 points)
...They live in a world where these powers are common, but do not possess them themself (-3 points)
They can communicate with the dead/otherworldy spirits/other supernatural beings (2 points)
...They consider this to be a curse (2 points)
...They communicate with a dead lover/family member/friend (3 points)
...They gain advice and insight from the spirits/beings (2 points)
Their power/s appeared suddenly at a critical moment (3 points)
They look younger than they really are (2 points)
...They never age (3 points)
...They are immortal (3 points)
...They look older than they really are (-3 points)
...They are aged between 10 and 18 (2 points)
...They are aged between 19-30 and look (1 points)
...They are aged between 31-50 and look their age (-1 point)
...They are aged over 50 and look their age (-2 points)
...They only look younger than they should because of plastic surgery (-3 points)
They have a disorder (such as bi-polar, split-personality, OCD, etc) (8 points)
...This is used to excuse much of their behaviour (5 points)
...This is used to try and gain sympathy for this character (5 points)
...They end up hurting a friend/relative/lover due to their disorder (5 points)
They have amnesia (can't remember their past) (4 points)
...They slowly begin to remember throughout the story (1 point)
...And they don't like what they remember (2 points)
...They remember that they did something terrible/something terrible happened (3 points)
...It takes one key event/person/place/etc an they remember everything (2 points)
...They never regain their memory, and never find anybody who can tell them what happened (-4 points)
They have a very good/photographic memory (3 points)
...and this does not serve any purpose in the plot (3 points)
They suffer from insomnia (2 points)
...although this does not affect their grades at school/performance at work (3 points)
They have a very bad phobia of something (2 points)
...This is due to some event in their past (3 points)
...They eventually get over it (1 point)
...It vanishes at a critical moment (3 points)
...It affects their everyday life and they never get over it (-3 points)
You would describe them as quirky, unique, different, weird, individual etc. (4 points)
...They never follow the crowd (2 points)
...They reject all popular music, fashion etc (3 points)
...They have weird habits that are supposedly endearing (3 points)
...Some people think they're crazy (3 points)
...They are very 'individual' (3 points)
They are good at art (4 points)
...They paint (2 points)
...Their paintings/drawings/carvings etc are good enough to sell (3 points)
...They are very modest about their skill (2 points)
...You would describe them as a 'troubled artist' type (5 points)
...They are utterly hopeless at art (-1 point)
...They are a show-off (-1 point)
...They had to work hard for a long time to become good at art (-2 points)
They are good at music (4 points)
...They play a musical instrument to a high standard (2 points)
...They play more than one musical instrument to a high standard (Ignore if these are similar instruments such as a Trumpet and a Flugelhorn, or a Guitar and a Ukelele)(4 points)
...They play the flute, harp, drums, and/or the guitar (2 points)
...They sing in tune, with a nice voice (2 points)
...They are a virtuoso (4 points)
...They compose music/songs (2 points)
...These compositions are good enough to be published(4 points)
...They are very modest about their skill (2 points)
...They are a show off (-1 point)
...They had to work hard for a long time to become good at music (-2 points)
They are good at writing/poetry (4 points)
...They are writing/have written a novel (2 points)
...This novel is good enough to be published (4 points)
...They write poems (2 points)
...These poems are 'emotional' and 'deep' (3 points)
...These poems are good enough to be published (4 points)
...They are modest about their skill (2 points)
...They are a show off (-1 point)
...They had to work hard for a long time to become good at writing (-2 points)
(ignore these next few questions if your character does not attend school)
They are top of their class at school (2 points)
...Even though they do not try/work very hard (2 points)
...They are top of their class, but have to work hard to get/stay there (-2 points)
...They could be top of their class, but don't try art school (-1 point)
...They do badly at school (-2 points)
...Even though they try (-2 points)
(ignore these next few questions of your character does not have a job)
They have an exciting and/or unusual job (2 points)
...They have a job you wish you had (2 points)
...They hate their job (-3 points)
...They did not willingly choose their job (-2 points)
They have a curse upon them (3 points)
...They never manage to break the curse (-3 points)
They are part of a prophecy (3 points)
...They are central to said prophecy (4 points)
...They never fulfill the prophecy (-2 points)
They were born on an important date (e.g. The Summer Solstice, New Year's Eve etc) (3 points)
...This has significance in the story (2 points)
They have a sibling from whom they were separated at birth (2 points)
...This sibling is an identical twin (3 points)
...This sibling was separated for a reason (2 points)
They have a 'special' or 'different' type of soul (3 points)
...They have the wrong body for their (e.g. A human with an animal soul) (3 points)
Their parents/guardians are very restrictive (2 points)
...For no apparent reason (2 points)
...Because they have outdated views/do not 'understand' your character (3 points)
They are 'random' and/or 'hyper' (5 points)
They smoke/chew tobacco (-1 point)
...And never break the habit (-2 points)
...But never get any of the bad health affects such as yellow teeth and fingers, emphysema and cancer (3 points)
...They do get these bad side effects (yellow teeth, cancer etc) (-3 points)
They are an alcoholic (-2 points)
...They spend more than they can afford on alcohol (-2 points)
...Their habits drive away their relatives and friends (-3 points)
...And they suffer the ill-health affects associated with excessive drinking (-2 points)
...Depsite their alcoholism, they do not lose any friends or suffer side-affects (4 points)
They are overweight (not just a little bit chubby, I mean properly overweight)(-2 points)
They are obese (-4 points)
They stay overweight/obese throughout the whole story (-3 points)
They are addicted to either legal or illegal drugs, or solvents (-3 points)
...They spend more than they can afford on these drugs (-2 points)
...They lose friends and estrange relatives because of their habits (-3 points)
...They suffer the side effects of these drugs (-3 points)
...They remain addicted throughout the story (-2 points)
...Even though they are addicted to these drugs, they don't lose any friends or suffer side-effects (4 points)
They are irritable, grumpy and have a short temper, and remain this way throughout the story (-3 points)
They are a bully (-2 points)
They are emotionless (-2 points)
------------Results------------
30 or Less- In the Clear
If your character scored here, then well done! Your character is most likely well-balanced, and believable. If your character is scoring in the upper end of this category you may want to just adjust and tone down a few aspects, but overall it should be fine. Don't worry about your character scoring too low; there's nothing wrong with that.
31-41- Borderline Sue
If your character is scoring around here, you've got some work to do. Your character is getting into Sue territory here, so I would advise a critical look at your character, asking yourself if each trait they have is really necessary, and looking for places where you can tone them down. But they're not a hopeless case, and with a good amount of critical analysis and toning down, they should be ok.
42 or More- Mary Sue
Now, there are varying degrees of Sue above this, but the fact that your character has fallen into the category is the main issue. Of course to get a good, believable and interesting character you have a long way to go. Depending on how far gone your character is, they may not even be recognisable as their former self when you have worked on them sufficiently. My advice would be to take good, very harsh look at your character. Get rid of and re-do as many things as you can without ruining the plot, and then re-take the test and see where they fall. If they are still classed as a Mary Sue or as a Borderline Sue, you may also want to reconsider your plotline and the world that they live in. Failing that approach too, I would just start again.
Some example Scores:
Bella Swan (From Twilight)- 48
Naruto Uzumaki (From Naruto)- 45
Harry Potter (From Harry Potter)- 43
Katniss Everdeen (From The Hunger Games)- 26
Eragon Bromsson (From Eragon)- 30
------------Some Final Words of Advice------------
Now, here is just one major flaw I fell I should point out that applies to pretty much all Mary Sue tests, not just my own- remember how you were supposed to ignore a question such as 'they can fly' if your character lives in a world where flying is common? Well, just listen to this scenario. Let's say we have a character who can fly without wings, but has wings anyway, has colour changing eyes, colour changing hair, si connected to an angel and a demon at the same time, has three pet dragons and it telekinetic, pyrokinetic, clairvoyant and a dream walker. Sounds ridiculous right? Well, technically this character could fall into the 'balanced character' or even 'Plain Jane' category on this test, and they could also score low on any other Sue Test, because everyone in their world can fly without wings but has wings anyway and has colour changing eyes etc etc etc. You see how it could happen? Well, this is why I ask you before you go to just think about that. Of course it is a very exaggerated example, but it could still easily happen. Your character may score as a Balanced Character, yet still be ridiculous and unbelievable. That is the difficulty with Mary Sue tests like this; although they can provide a good measure and give advice, they just don't beat a good critical analysis by a human being.
So if you are still unsure of your character after taking this test, or would like any further advice, either leave a comment here telling me about your character, or note me telling me about them, and I will give you a fair, honest critique of them, and some advice, for free.
Thank for taking to time to read and use this test, yours sincerely, Snowy.
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Post by Cafe SalMONAlla on Dec 14, 2012 9:25:12 GMT -5
Yeah, I'll probably have to call it because I might die if I don't get Lemona's number Let's try again: 963174258. (Getting in fast before Trag can). |
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Post by Skelly Craig on Dec 14, 2012 10:35:32 GMT -5
I feel Strangely cold Today and I can't stop THinking about lasagna.
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Post by Tryina Denouement on Dec 14, 2012 10:46:05 GMT -5
The clock faces west to be concise......
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Post by Songbird on Dec 14, 2012 10:50:48 GMT -5
Okay warning to Lucas for double posting. This game may not have rules but the forum still does.
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Post by Tryina Denouement on Dec 14, 2012 10:52:04 GMT -5
Okay warning to Lucas for double posting. This game may not have rules but the forum still does. Miss Songbird is the most strict mod ever. |
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Post by Hermedy on Dec 14, 2012 10:57:15 GMT -5
Okay warning to Lucas for double posting. This game may not have rules but the forum still does.  |
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Post by penne on Dec 14, 2012 12:42:30 GMT -5
I feel Strangely cold Today and I can't stop THinking about lasagna. STTH? ISTITH? |
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