“Unmasking the Flaws: How Unchecked Characters Can Sabotage Your Story’s Success!”
Have you ever read a story that felt like it was polished to the point of being artificial? You know the ones—where every character seems flawless, their decisions always make perfect sense, and they can leap over any hurdle with a charming smile. These “perfect” characters, often dubbed Mary Sues or Gary Stus, can suck the life right out of a narrative. In this eye-opening article, we’ll explore why these characters can be detrimental to your story and how embracing flawed, complex personalities can actually elevate your writing. After all, isn’t it the quirks, vulnerabilities, and imperfections that make characters relatable and memorable? Join me as we unravel the allure of authenticity in character creation. LEARN MORE.
Your story is too good for “perfect” characters
Nothing can kill a story quicker than the introduction of a Mary Sue or a Gary Stu. It’s equally detrimental if a beta reader of your book bestows one of your characters with these names. These terms have become synonymous with poorly developed characters, and understanding why is crucial.
For context, most definitions of these characters revolve around a character being above the story’s mechanics (be it overpowered, over-skilled, or a “natural” at whatever the story needs them to be good at), with the supporting characters acting not out of consistency but for the plot.
As you can imagine, a story that bends to a character’s will with an unbreakable moral code can be easy for writers to write but can instantly turn readers off.
You can probably understand why a character called a “Sue” or “Stu” can ruin a story. That single virus can ruin an entire plot progression and kill everything.
Once you understand why a Sue/Stu can come from anywhere, you can better see how to fix them. Then you’ll see how easy it can be to cure them of their ailments -or, in this case, their many perfections.
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