Mary Sue Test: Is My OC a Mary Sue? Quiz

1. Does this character has a cool name?

Yeah

She does have a name but nobody finds it cool.

No, it doesn't have a catchy name.

Badass names make me cringe.

Explanation

Badass names make me cringe.

2. Is your character the subject of a great prophecy?

Yes!

No

Well, I haven't thought of it but it sounds like a good idea to me now.

This is horribly, horribly cliche.

Explanation

This is horribly, horribly cliche.

3. Does your character have any special weapon?

Yeah, she has one.

No, I don't think it's necessary to have a weapon.

Sometimes she uses a weapon.

Having a named weapon is very cheesy. The impression it probably sends to the publisher is "I'm trying really hard to be the next Tolkien! Now, if only I had talent..."

Explanation

Having a named weapon is very cheesy. The impression it probably sends to the publisher is "I'm trying really hard to be the next Tolkien! Now, if only I had talent..."

4. Does your character consider her talents and/or abilities a curse?

Yeah, that's one of the reasons she is the main protagonist.

Yeah, because it cost her great loss and pain.

No. She doesn't think like that.

Cut the angst, please.

Explanation

Cut the angst, please.

5. Does your character have any boyfriend?

Yes, she fell in love with a royal guy but they can't date because of the family background they have.

Yes. A prince fell in love with her.

No. No such story.

If the character is dating someone high-class or beautiful, please try to make sure that the lover isn't just a status symbol. Romance can't work if the lover is just a prop.

Explanation

If the character is dating someone high-class or beautiful, please try to make sure that the lover isn't just a status symbol. Romance can't work if the lover is just a prop.

6. Have you designed your character as a mortal being?

No

It's immortal but can die in some specific places or situations.

Yeah, it is mortal but can't be killed or die easily.

Mortality is a great limit for a character: the character will have to compete against the prospects of death and old age. So mortality will help propel the character forward.

Explanation

Mortality is a great limit for a character: the character will have to compete against the prospects of death and old age. So mortality will help propel the character forward.

7. Are this character's parents/guardians abusive or otherwise nasty?

Yeah, because she is adopted by her relatives.

Yeah, one of the parents.

No. Not at all.

Abusive, nasty parents usually make the story feel angsty. Fan-fiction readers like that, but publishers and paying customers generally do not.

Explanation

Abusive, nasty parents usually make the story feel angsty. Fan-fiction readers like that, but publishers and paying customers generally do not.

8. How many languages can your character speak?

Almost all

Just a few, probably 2 or 3.

Only one- her mother tongue.

When a real person is fluent in several languages, that's usually impressive. When a novel character is fluent in several languages, it's usually pretentious and a lazy way to try to show that he's worldly and sophisticated.

Explanation

When a real person is fluent in several languages, that's usually impressive. When a novel character is fluent in several languages, it's usually pretentious and a lazy way to try to show that he's worldly and sophisticated.

9. Does your character wear leather, sunglasses, or anything you find to be particularly cool?

Yes! Always

Yeah, sometimes totally cool wearables.

No, they will never do that.

This sometimes works, particularly in visual media like comic books. But usually it comes across as cheesy in a novel.

Explanation

This sometimes works, particularly in visual media like comic books. But usually it comes across as cheesy in a novel.

10. Does your character feel overwhelmingly guilty about something that wasn't his/her fault?

Yes! It does. That's the beauty of my character.

Yeah, maybe

Thinking about it.

If you want your character to feel guilty about something, make sure that it's actually something worth feeling guilty about. If a character feels guilty about the three pieces of bubble-gum he stole when he was 5, readers will want to slap him.

Explanation

If you want your character to feel guilty about something, make sure that it's actually something worth feeling guilty about. If a character feels guilty about the three pieces of bubble-gum he stole when he was 5, readers will want to slap him.

11. Are your other characters generally impressed by this character?

Yes! They adore it

Yeah, quite impressed

Not at all

This is one of the biggest signs of a Mary Sue.

Explanation

This is one of the biggest signs of a Mary Sue.

12. Is your character very modest?

Not at all!

Well, actually not but it seems to be modest to few people

Yeah, it's so simple

A Mary Sue never compliments herself; other characters do that for her as she delicately tries to refuse their praise. Ick.

Explanation

A Mary Sue never compliments herself; other characters do that for her as she delicately tries to refuse their praise. Ick.

13. Is your character good-looking?

Yes. Nobody can surpass her at appearance

No! She's not very good-looking

Yeah, not the best but enough to look at and say 'wow'

Being notably attractive is one of the signs of a Mary Sue.

Explanation

Being notably attractive is one of the signs of a Mary Sue.

14. Does this character have problems with authority figures? (For example his parents, his bosses, the police etc.)

Yes!

Only with one of her parents, Usually her father.

Yeah, she wants to take over.

When a character has major problems with authority figures, I recommend that you try to make sure that he doesn't come off as whiny and/or senselessly persecuted. It's ok if the cops don't treat him *fairly*, but make sure there's a REASON they're mistreating him. For example, in Rambo, the cops hated Rambo because they thought he was a trouble-maker who didn't have a place in their town.

Explanation

When a character has major problems with authority figures, I recommend that you try to make sure that he doesn't come off as whiny and/or senselessly persecuted. It's ok if the cops don't treat him *fairly*, but make sure there's a REASON they're mistreating him. For example, in Rambo, the cops hated Rambo because they thought he was a trouble-maker who didn't have a place in their town.