'Mary-Sue' is not restricted to Potterverse either - I understand she can be found in other fandoms, such as Lord of the Rings.
I will second this! I write Sherlock Holmes fanfiction as well...and this fandom is rife with Mary Sues. And quite a few of them are admittedly teenage girls writing for the first time. I do think as well that writing one is a first step process...how can one learn but by making mistakes? But in this (Holmes) fandom there is not only the cannon to consider but also time period...and it's sad to say, but the more 'mature' (as in older) audiences will rip these young ladies to shreds for it.
But then we step into another territory...criticism. Do you think one should point out to another writer that their character is galloping into Mary Sue territory? And how harsh/gentle do you think one should be about it?
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winterfish
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Date: Wednesday, 12 October 2005 08:37 pm (UTC)I will second this! I write Sherlock Holmes fanfiction as well...and this fandom is rife with Mary Sues. And quite a few of them are admittedly teenage girls writing for the first time. I do think as well that writing one is a first step process...how can one learn but by making mistakes? But in this (Holmes) fandom there is not only the cannon to consider but also time period...and it's sad to say, but the more 'mature' (as in older) audiences will rip these young ladies to shreds for it.
But then we step into another territory...criticism. Do you think one should point out to another writer that their character is galloping into Mary Sue territory? And how harsh/gentle do you think one should be about it?