I think I’ve mentioned ‘Mary-Sue’ in passing on this blog before, but I can’t now find the post. C’est la vie. Suffice it to say that a Mary-Sue (a male version is sometimes referred to as a Gary-Sue) is someone who is impossibly perfect (except for one, obvious, knowing flaw), typically has something tragic in their past (which is what drives them on), and somehow manages to stay on good terms with everyone on their side. The most blatant examples of this character are to be found in fanfic: the classic, and possibly definitive version is the raw ensign who is somehow able to out-Kirk Jim, out-Scott Scotty, out-Vulcan Spock, and out-Doc McCoy. This prodigy will probably die saving the Federation, and Spock will cry at her funeral.
So, for a bit of fun, 500-1000 words about a Mary-Sue kind of character. Bonus points for:
-Fanfic – anything you like, but perhaps lets give Star Trek a miss. Double points for something non-obvious. This can include a parody of your own work, should you happen to have written something suitable.
Word count: up to 1,000
Deadline: 8am GMT on Sunday, 14th November 2021
If you can’t make this deadline, don’t forget you can use our #TortoiseFlashFiction page.
A reminder to new readers/writers, please post on your own site and add a link in the comments section below. If you don’t have your own blog or similar outlet, do send us your story via the contact form on the About page and we’ll post for you, with an appropriate by-line – you retain the copyright.
One caveat, if you want to go down this route: this is a family show, so we reserve the right not to post anything that strays into NSFW or offends against ‘common decency’.
Fiction Can Be Fun 
A Mary-Sue is also a thinly disguised portrait of the author – perfected as you say.
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More than a few of my characters started out as Mary Sues. Lessons have been learned since then, and I hope my characters are a little more believable now.
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