[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
A few years ago we did a little chatting and writing on the topic of Mary Sue, the legendary female impersonator who shows up in stories disguised as a genuine character.  Harsh? I hope not, we've probably all written her, but hopefully that phase ends quickly.
A discussion with [livejournal.com profile] fiorenza reminded me of the topic, so here again is the Round Robin that came about as a result of all of our chatter.
Mary Sue Was Here

[identity profile] mrua7.livejournal.com
Back in 2013 glennagirl posted regarding the "Mary Sue" phenomenon in writing. After a great discussion on the topic, a few of usdecided to do an impromptu Mary Sue round robin using a prompt by [livejournal.com profile] reapermum



Well, actually she (Mary Sue) is here, the inspirational starting point, and you can follow her exploits by staying on section7mfu and just use these links: Reaping Mary Sue part I, part II, part III, part IV, part V, Epilogue

The participants : [livejournal.com profile] glennagirl reapermum, mrua7, avirra and avrovulcan



[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
Canon(fiction) on Wikipedia ...( ManfromUNCLE.org is another source of information that can be helpful.)
This article might be helpful to those still in the formative stages concerning writing fanfiction.  We all strive to make things as realistic as possible within the context of MFU, and this explains the concept of canon.  Section VII was created to encourage and house stories based around the original series, with an eye to details that hearken back to what the writers gave us in Seasons 1-4, The Return Movie and the ACE books.  The Return Movie continues to spark controversy, and is the singular exception to canon accuracy.  Two camps do exist, and both are accepted as legitimate.
Another interesting discussion that we had here on Section 7 concerned Mary Sue.  The invitation is still open to post an obviously MS story, carry on the conversation or make a comment.  Use the tag Mary Sue to find more on this incredulous creature.
Writing is a fun and fulfilling endeavor, and MFU is still a viable subject.  I'm so proud to know we're adding stories daily to this great tradition.
mlaw: The Man from UNCLE artwork- my user (Default)
[personal profile] mlaw
 In case you missed it, Mary Sue was here...
glennagirl
Well, actually she was here, the inspirational starting point, and you can follow her exploits by going to section7mfu and just following the arrow to the right.  Or use these links: Reaping Mary Sue part Ipart IIpart IIIpart IVpart V, Epilogue
Thanks to reapermummrua7avirra and avrovulcan for their excellent entries.
 
[identity profile] avrovulcan.livejournal.com
Original Plot Summary reapermum -
Part  Imrua7 -
Part II glennagirl
Part III avirra
Part IV [livejournal.com profile] glennagirl -


Haylan, Marta and Britta Kullberg along with Maria Slate walked down the QE2’s ramp to the dockside.

All were excited and apprehensive in equal measures, not knowing how this reunion would pan out. Maria especially so, as she knew Illya had developed feelings for her and she had to break the news she was in love with Haylon, the brother he never knew about.

Illya stood on the dockside, waiting to meet a family he never knew he had. He searched his memories; he knew he was very young at the time he’d been separated from them, but unsurprisingly, still couldn’t dredge up any images, even vague ones.

A smile touched his lips as he caught sight of Mark's sister coming towards him, a tall blond male walking close on her right, the two women, his mother and sister, on her left.  The smile dropped slightly as he noted the stranger, who he guessed must be his brother, had his arm around Marie's waist, but this was temporarily overshadowed by the sight of his family hurrying towards him.

Britta had tears in her eyes as she hugged him close to her; she knew, as only a mother could, this was her youngest son who stood before her, she was saying his real name ‘Niklas’ over and over again, a name unfamiliar to Illya’s ears, briefly he wondered what his name would be now.

After a while his mother gathered herself together and stepped back. “Niklas, I am so happy you are alive, I never believed I would see you again. We are so grateful Maria saw you and told us about you.” She beckoned her daughter forward, “This is your sister Marta.”

His sibling smiled and hugged him, her eyes overflowing, “hello little brother, I always believed you were around somewhere, but never thought I’d ever see you again. We owe Marie a great deal,” she sniffed

Illya started to feel a little uncomfortable with all the attention, not being the kind of person who liked all the physical contact, but glad to know he was now a part of a family. He turned towards Marie Suzette and Haylan.

“I believe you must be my brother Haylan?” He offered his hand to the man.

“Yes, I am, and I’m very pleased to meet you.” He took the hand and pulled the slender younger male into a bear hug, slapping his back before releasing him.

Marie stepped forward, knowing she had to break the news of her engagement to Haylan. She gave him a quick hug and made sure Illya noticed the ring on her finger. Catching her hand he looked at the diamond nestled on her finger, before quickly masking his disappointment.

“I believe congratulations are in order Marie?”

She gave a nervous smile, “yes, It was because you looked so much like Haylan that I was drawn to you and after I went back home, I realised I was in love with him.”

“I am pleased for you. I hope you will be happy together,” Kuryakin smiled, hiding his feelings.

As they spent the rest of the day all together and learning about each other, Illya watched the interaction between the couple and smiled to himself, maybe it was a lucky escape after all; he found some of her mannerisms, he’d at first thought sweet, increasingly annoying as the day crept on….

Well done!

Feb. 17th, 2013 02:34 pm
[identity profile] mrua7.livejournal.com
Glennagirl started a rather interesting conversation about the Mary Sue character, and thanks to everyone who posted opinions and story links in reference to this, at times, enigmatic character.

Congratulations and a job well done to everyone who participated in this impromptu Mary Sue round robin. And most of all, thanks to Reapermum (the other Linda)  for posting her story line and inspiring us to explore the world of the Mary Sue character.
[identity profile] mrua7.livejournal.com

After all was said and done, Illya Kuryakin was left in a daze.  He’d been told his real name was Niklas Kullberg, and suddenly he had a family. A brother Haylan, a sister and a mother, Marta and Brita. He couldn’t believe it at first, and it was all thanks to the selfless efforts of Marie Suzette Slate.

The initial meeting with his newly found family was awkward, once it had been verified they were indeed his siblings and mother; they wanted to embrace him with all the love they had for their long-lost brother and son.

Illya on the other hand stepped back warily. These were strangers, and no one ‘lost’ to him, as he never knew of their existence.  It would take him time to warm up to them, and to deal with the bitter pill he had to swallow, knowing that his beloved Marie Suzette was in love with Haylan and to be married to him. Though there were things he did find annoying about her,  Illya could still feel his heart breaking after all, when he mistakenly thought he'd somehow escaped Marie, but instead he was caught like an insignificant thing in the web of her magnificence.

Haylan was brilliant in his own right, and worthy of Marie, but still Illya was hurting, thinking it was he who should be at her side;  he would have even left UNCLE for her. Yet he held no ill-will against his newly found brother, after all Marie loved Haylan; that made him the luckiest man in the world.

There were too many emotional highs and lows for Illya Kuryakin,  and his new-found identity had him suddenly feeling very adrift.  He was dealing with the loss of his 'self', essentially, as well as the loss of the most magnificent women he’d ever met, and loved.

He was in fact not a Russian, his melancholy Russian soul was no longer his by birth. That, his identity...who he was, and his stoicism were gone. He was now....Swedish? It was going to take time for him to wrap his head around that fact.

He was Niklas Kullberg  the Swede, and not Illya Kuryakin the brooding Russian. Well, at least he spoke Swedish, and that would help him to create his new persona.  He felt he needed to be true to his family and the country of his birth.

But Illya Nickovich Kuryakin a Swede? “Tsk.”  Well it would make a positive change perhaps as to how he was treated, since no one liked ‘Russians...”
.

Many months passed, and he was finding solace in his new identity, learning about his family and his country over and above the peripheral knowledge he had about Sweden.

His yearnings for Marie, who was now his sister-in-law, were still ubiquitous, but safely sequestered in his psyche. Like so many other emotional things, he locked them safely away from prying eyes.

“Perhaps,” he thought. “his stoicism was intact after all”... Yet a stoic Swede just didn’t sound right.

The telephone at his desk rang, startling him.

“Kuryakin, ” he answered impassionately. He still hadn’t made the change to using Kullberg.

“Illya...I mean Niklas, it’s Marie, hello luv!”

In his current mood, she was the last person he wanted to hear from, yet her voice was so cheerful and inviting, like a ray of sunshine, or perhaps food to a starving man. Marie Suzette  always made a room light up when she walked into it, and even her voice on the telephone did the same thing.  He missed her so much.

“Yes, hello Marie how are you?” He kept his voice even, holding back his emotions.

“I just had to call you and give you the news!” She spoke excitedly.

His first thought jumped to the presumption that she was pregnant.

“Do not go there,” he told himself. “And what is that Marie?” He bravely asked.

“I’ve been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for my work in cancer research...”
[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
Well, actually she was here, the inspirational starting point, and you can follow her exploits by staying on [livejournal.com profile] section7mfu and just following the arrow to the right.  Or use these links: Reaping Mary Sue part I, part II, part III, part IV, part V, Epilogue
Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] reapermum, [livejournal.com profile] mrua7, [livejournal.com profile] avirra and [livejournal.com profile] avrovulcan for their excellent entries.
[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com

Doctor Haylan Kullberg was so completely taken aback at the shocking news that his little brother, Niklas might still be alive, that he collapsed onto the chaise longue that was situated artfully in front of the paladian window that graced Maria's office.  It was this beautiful view of the city that provided much of the inspiration for the sensitive woman, she being such a lover of beautiful things.

Haylan, meanwhile, was trying to recover from this revelation that had come from the rose petal lips of this exquisite and kind colleague.  With the happy news of what might prove to be a glorious family reunion, the handsome scientist realized that an even greater realization had emerged: he was in love with Maria Suzette Slate.  He knew for a certainty that nothing was more important or life changing for him now than the pursuit of her heart.

Plans were made to reunite Haylan's still grieving family for an ocean voyage to America, to the New York that was now home to who Maria believed was the long lost baby, Niklas.  Illya Nickovitch Kuryakin was most certainly that missing child, and if looks could be believed, she now realized it was the stunning resemblance that had drawn her to the faux Russian in the first place.  It would be a crushing blow to Illya, to lose Maria to his previously unknown brother, but the fates had spoken and Haylan was Maria's true love.  Illya would take some solace in the discovery of his long lost family, perhaps, although losing Maria might be a blow not easily covered, even by the love of a mother and brother and sister... It was worth a shot, however, and Maria felt obligated to at least try and paint a pretty picture against a crushing loss.

Maria and Haylan enlisted the young man's sister, Marta Kullberg, and between these three brilliant researchers the task of rewriting the family's tragic history became instead the discovery of a truth that would change their lives.  With the addition of Britta Kullberg, the QE2 would now carry the hopeful quartet to the shores of a new world in which their greatest loss would be transformed into their greatest, most unexpected joy.  Perhaps the only thing that would eclipse this great event was the approaching nuptials of Haylan and Maria, because truly she was now more precious to the Kullberg family than any member by birth.  Each of them loved the stunning Maria more than the next, and now looked to her for the happiness she could so easily provide.

As New York Harbor welcomed the transatlantic travelers, Illya Kuryakin waited alone for an arrival, the impact of which he still did not understand in full.  Would it bring him happiness or a broken heart?

[identity profile] reapermum.livejournal.com
[livejournal.com profile] mrua7 and I were chatting to sort out ideas about Mary Sue, and where you draw the line between a MS and a useful Original Character. The way I see the difference is that a MS is an intrusive character, who takes over a story drawing attention from the main characters and doing the things that they should do to move the plot along.

And though I can't write stories I can sometimes come up with a plot summary. So here's what I came up with as a MS plot. You'll have to add the pretty words yourselves.

Mark's sister, Mary Sue, comes over to NY for a visit. She is a ravishing beauty and fiendishly intelligent. Illya falls for her (Napoleon makes a peripheral appearance in the story to decide she's too good for him and leaves her to Illya) and takes her out to dinner and the theatre. But nothing beyond hand holding and gentle kissing because she's a respectable girl.

Illya tells her about his childhood in a Russian orphanage, which he has not confided to anyone else before, and shows her the medallion which is the only memento he has of his lost family. She then returns to her work in Europe as her holiday is over. Illya is heart broken but realises it has to be. Mr Waverley would like to ask her to join UNCLE but knows that her work is more important than theirs (she's going to eliminate world poverty or find a cure for cancer).

Mary Sue thought she had seen a medallion like Illya's before, but doesn't say anything to him about it. She wants to confirm her suspicions first, before she says anything. Back in Europe she goes to see her colleague who has a similar medallion and gets him to talk about his family. When he was small his family were on a diplomatic mission to Russia, but were caught up in one of Stalin's purges. The family managed to flee the country back to their native Sweden but in the chaos the baby was lost and left behind. They never managed to find the baby or learn what had happened to him, and their mother still mourned his loss.

Mary Sue arranges for the family to go to NY where she reunites them all. "Oh, Mary Sue, how can we ever thank you." Illya now becomes Swedish (a much better nationality than Russian, cos nobody likes Russians)
[identity profile] avirra.livejournal.com

Original Plot Summary (reapermum) - http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/240285.html
Part  I (mrua7) - http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/240765.html
Part II (glennagirl) -  http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/241142.html

Part III

The flight back to London had passed quickly. One of the top designers of Paris' most renown haute couture lines had spotted Marie coming aboard and immediately offered to upgrade her to the first class section so that he could have a chance to talk to her about building a new line around her.

She was, of course, flattered, but explained to him in her perfectly accented French that she couldn't possibly abandon her research when she was so close to eradicating the threat of cancer. He was so impressed by her obvious intellect and determination that he immediately offered to sponsor her research with a donation large enough to fund the research center she worked from for a year. She accepted the generous offer and agreed to consider the idea of the fashion line again once her cure was fully tested and vetted.

There was a bit of a delay at the airport as Marie was mistaken for a Princess that was supposed to be visiting Buckingham Palace as a potential match for Prince Charles. Marie was gracious (it was the third time she'd run into a similar problem this year) and the photographers present were disappointed as she was so much more photogenic than the actual Princess proved to be.

Finally free of the airport, Marie headed directly to the research center to look up one of her fellow researchers there, Doctor Haylan Kullberg. Her flawless memory had recalled that Haylan always wore a medallion, but she had never gotten a clear look at it as it had always been half-hidden by the shirts he wore.

"Doctor Kullberg? Could I have a moment of your time?"

As he turned to face her, his blue eyes reminded her strongly of Illya's. Or of how Illya's would be without the lingering shadows that seemed to haunt their blue depths.

"I have all the time for you that you need, Miss Slate. How can I be of assistance?"

"I know that this is an odd question, but that medallion you're always wearing intrigues me. Could you tell me something about it?"

"Why, of course. My mother bought it for me along with matching ones for my sister Marta and my baby brother Niklas."

"You introduced me to your sister at the Christmas party last year. She's the one that's a nuclear physicist, isn't she?"

"Yes - took her beauty and brilliance from our mother. Not that our father isn't a genius in his own right. When he left the diplomatic corps, he went back to teaching and Cambridge was thrilled to be able to snap him up as a professor."

"Your brother wasn't able to make it to the party?"

Haylan's handsome face fell into an expression of grief.

"My brother was lost to us when he was only two."

Marie's tender heart hated to press for any further details from the stricken man but consoled herself with the thought of what it would mean to the family if her suspicions were proven to be correct.

[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
The original plot summary is here.  The first chapter by [livejournal.com profile] mrua7 is here
If you write a chapter please use the title Reaping Mary Sue, and insert the tags mary sue, reapermum and round robin.  Also make certain that you're writing in sequence to the previous post.
Thanks and have fun.
~~~~~:

That first fateful meeting between the stunning blonde couple produced a week of romantic nights that included dining in New York's finest restaurants and taking in Broadway shows.  Marie was conversant in so many subjects that even the supremely well educated Russian, Kuryakin, felt slightly intimidated in her presence.  Marie shared her travels throughout Europe and the Orient, demonstrating her talent by describing each city in  whatever language was spoken there.  Illya was completely and hopelessly infatuated with the beautiful Londoner, and not in the least embarrassed to admit that he had finally met someone of superior intellect and untainted ethics.

It was at the end of this week of extraordinary companionship and exemplary self control that Illya found himself narrating his own story of abuse and lack while a child in Russia.  The ethos of his account as well as the saint like reception by Marie Suzette created an ethereal atmosphere as the two contemplated how his suffering had led to a life devoted to helping others.  Marie noted with satisfaction that her own work was of the same altruistic nature, something else that helped to strengthen this new bond she had with the handsome agent.

Napoleon thought the beautiful sister of his equally important friend Mark Slate to be somehow less attractive than everyone else.  It was, perhaps, his lack of interest in someone so much like his partner.  One charismatic and over accomplished blond was quite enough for the handsome American.  He'd leave this one alone and give his monk like friend a break for once.  It was the least he could, and besides he had a date for every night this month.  He could only stretch himself so far.  Napoleon had to laugh at his own little joke.

On the last night of the magical week that had been, Illya desired more than a passionate kiss from the beautiful Marie.  And of course her kisses were passionate in spite of her ladylike decorum, and should have been enough considering they were more satisfying than sex with most women he'd known.  Illya wondered about that, although he didn't dwell for long.  Just holding Marie's hand was enough to send him home happy and content.

On their last night together, Marie noticed a gold chain and medallion around Illya's neck.  Instead of his usual turtleneck sweater the blond had worn a silk crew neck tee shirt atop his usual black jeans.  Marie, being an astute fashionista in her own right, had been impressed by his choice of clothing before her eyes landed on the mysterious medallion.  She held a picture of it in her eidetic memory as she flew home to England, a seed of intrigue now sown into her spirit of goodwill, as well as a parting offer from Mr. Waverly to join his organization.  She was, after all, the prototype of all that he envisioned for the Command.
[identity profile] mrua7.livejournal.com
Mark Slate waited at the international arrivals at Kennedy airport, looking for his sister Marie Suzette. Her flight from London had arrived and he couldn’t understand what was taking so long.

He spotted her, walking alongside a gurney with a pair of paramedics.

“Marie!” Mark called out her, waving his hand.”

She turned her head, whipping around her full mane of shinging blonde hair, like one of those models on the telly, moving in slow motion.

“Oh Mark luv!” She ran to his arms, and he lifted her in a great bear hug.

“Hey sis, it’s really fab to see you again,” Mark planted a kiss on her cheek. "I swear you're getting more gorgeous every time I see you... say what was that all about with the stretcher?”

“Oh a fellow passenger had a heart attack and I helped with chest compressions and mouth to mouth until the medics arrived.  They said my actions saved the blokes life. And thanks for the compliment, but it's just natural beauty," she laughed softly.

“Ah that’s my little sister,” Mark wrapped his arm around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. "So how’s work going at the research center?”

“It’s all right. I think I’ll have that cure for cancer sooner than later. My test results are looking good.”

They retrieved her luggage and Mark led her out to a dark sedan parked cub side.

Behind the wheel sat a blond man, and as soon as Marie Slate sat in the front seat of the car beside him, their eyes met.  His were limpid pools of blue in which she could easily lose herself. There was instant attraction, like two magnets being drawn together.

“Hello, my name is Illya Kuryakin,” he smiled at her.

“Yes it is,” Marie sighed, staring at his handsome face.
[identity profile] st-crispins.livejournal.com
This is the only story I ever wrote that I intentionally considered the character a Mary Sue. No, she's really not modeled on me. But I'd served as the editor of a corporate newsletter once, so I thought it might be fun to write Mary Sue in that position. In the first draft of this story, I even named her Mary Sue. But then, I was afraid it would detract from the story itself, so I renamed her Maryanne.

I like creating and writing women characters and I'm sure they all have a piece of my own self in them. I did write a Mary Sue ---painfully so ---when I was writing MFU at age 14. I still have those handwritten stories somewhere. But since I came back to writing MFU in my 30s, my Mary Sue identity character has always been Solo.
[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
I'm referencing this site today: Mary Sue Classifications
It's Thursday, so as good a day as any to continue our discussion on Mary Sue and her appearances in fan fiction.  I'll admit that I'm not completely schooled in the subject, and was totally unaware of her for quite some time after I ventured into the waters of the MFU fandom.  I don't know if we should go over everything with a fine tooth alabaster comb, but since we've agreed to embark on a little writing venture featuring this oft maligned character, I think we could spend a little time talking about her.  
Since we're not into the fantasy genre, I guess I'll skip over those descriptions.  Feel free to offer examples, educate and enlighten us with whatever you know about the subject.
The ones that seem to inhabit our particular fandom would be the following:

mary sue incarnations... )
glenmered: (Default)
[personal profile] glenmered
 “I see April is preparing for her undercover assignment.”

Illya glanced at Miss Dancer, glad to know her actions were the result of a mission requirement, not a personality default.

“What sort of mission would require her to act like … that?”

The Russian pointed towards a circle of men surrounding Agent Dancer as she laughed in an unnatural key.

“Mmm… something called the Mary Sue Affair.  I think she’s going in as an imitation of herself.”

The blond glanced sideways at his partner.

“Napoleon, please explain what that means.”

“I don’t know. But, I’ll be glad when it’s over.”

[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
A fledgling ode to Mary Sue...
~~~~~:

“I see April is preparing for her undercover assignment.”

Illya glanced at Miss Dancer, glad to know her actions were the result of a mission requirement, not a personality default.

“What sort of mission would require her to act like … that?”

The Russian pointed towards a circle of men surrounding Agent Dancer as she laughed in an unnatural key.

“Mmm… something called the Mary Sue Affair.  I think she’s going in as an imitation of herself.”

The blond glanced sideways at his partner.

“Napoleon, please explain what that means.”

“I don’t know. But, I’ll be glad when it’s over.”

[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
Yesterday we opened a conversation about the ubiquitous Mary Sue: who she is and why she shows up at parties.  [livejournal.com profile] st_crispins added  some literary advice and hopefully an offer to keep an eye on the proceedings ;)  Her post is here
The original post that prompted so many interesting comments is here
So, there will be a Mary Sue Challenge, and I think we'll call it Mary Sue Slept Here.  Based on your responses (I'm listening [livejournal.com profile] rachaeljurassic), I'm thinking this will be open ended, an on-going challenge with no actual parameters of dates or content.  Simply utilize the Mary Sue tag when posting, and it will be welcome whenever it shows up.  If a writer is not really familiar with this literary figure then consider reviewing the articles listed in the first post, as well as reading the entry from St. C, that should be helpful.  We also would love to see any expository posts in which a story that matches the Mary Sue profile is taken apart for our benefit :D  Learning is a good thing.

[identity profile] st-crispins.livejournal.com
Because Glenna asked:

It always amuses me when the topic of Mary Sue comes up. Sometimes, the discussion can drip with vitriol and turn into flame wars. To me, after teaching writers in various venues for over 30 years, there's a pretty simple answer: Mary Sue (originally coined, BTW, by my good friend and publisher, Paula Smith)is a stage of development in writing. Everyone --- repeat *everyone* ---goes through it, just at different times. Years ago, before the internet, before anyone could publish anything in public and thereby embarrass themselves needlessly, this developmental stage was accomplished in relative privacy (a very good thing, BTW).

If you start writing stories in the preteen years as I did (I think I started even before that) you can write your Mary Sues to your heart's content, write characters based on yourself and your friends, and get it all out of your system. And if your parents keep you off the internet, no one need witness you taking your first baby steps into writing except your squeeing buddies, your parents and a supportive teacher or two.

If you don't start writing until later, you'll still have to go through a Mary Sue period at whatever age you start. Granted, after 25, it can be a little embarassing, but hopefully, because by now you're also mentally mature, it will pass quickly. (And don't tell me, oh experienced writer, you *never* did. You *did*, believe me, you just didn't know it or it went by pretty fast.) If you're older, your approach may be more sophisticated, but your main character will still be a sort of biographical stand-in for yourself until you work out your issues and make the shift/jump to writing *the other."

You won't stop writing about yourself --- pieces of a writer's self will be ---and should be, actually --- found in all his or her characters. But you'll learn to expand the psychic space within a character to widen beyond your own self, which allows your readers to climb in beside you as well.

So, like Piaget outlined for children's physical/mental development, writers go through stages as well. The problem is, that unlike real life children, writers can get stuck at stages. Some writers write for years and *never* move out of the Mary Sue stage. I'm not sure why. I'd chalk it up to lack of talent, motivation, self awareness, or simply a failure of imagination.

I wish folks, though, would accept the fact that Mary Sue is just a part, a phase, of every writer's development. Perhaps, we would be kinder and more understanding of each other when she appears.

[identity profile] glennagirl.livejournal.com
I've been thinking about the concept of Mary Sue.  She is the much maligned self-gratifying character who shows up in fiction as a portrait (perhaps) of the writer, a wistfully near perfect creation who commands attention both of the reader and other characters within the story.
I am not an expert on Mary Sue, and will admit that my first story would  probably qualify, although it was a tad tongue in cheek.  I was ignorant of Mary Sue, but perhaps in that ignorance portrayed exactly how easy it is to follow her lead.
So, with that in mind I am thinking that it might be fun to follow this to a glaringly obvious call for some blatant Mary Sue fiction.  I had mentioned to [livejournal.com profile] mrua7 that we might even use some old pictures of ourselves to illustrate these stories.  That's up to you, and at present I don't have a date in mind for when we might begin to post these.  Perhaps we don't need a specific date, just the tag 'Mary Sue'.
Any thoughts?  I've listed some articles, and I believe[livejournal.com profile] st_crispins ran something related to this a while back, so perhaps she will chime in on the topic and refresh our memories. 
Think about it: you can write a story where you are the embodiment of the perfect heroine... a super woman.  Napoleon's lips kissing yours, Illya's hands encircling your waist... 
What do you say?


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Official Mary Sue Manual   

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