Home | Humor | Random Generators | Writing & Worldbuilding | Quizzes Art Tutorials | Sprites & Dolls | Photography & Wallpaper Odds & Ends | Blog | Links | Twitter | Privacy Statement Hey there, writers and roleplayers! Are you stuck with a case of massive writer's block? Has your muse gone on indefinite hiatus? Or are you just bored? Check out Springhole.net's selection of random generators - with a click of a button, you can create characters, names, settings, items, and more for your creative works! --> The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test If you are unfamiliar with what a Mary Sue is, I recommend reading Wikipedia's article. This test has been given a bit of a makeover that should help to clear up some confusion as to what kind of questions should be answered for a given character. The questions have been divided into the following areas: Part 1 - All Characters Questions that pertain to all characters everywhere. Part 2 - Original Fiction Characters Questions for original fiction characters only. Part 3 - Fan Characters & Newcomers Questions for fan characters (RPG and fiction) and characters you may be planning to add to an original fiction universe you've already established. Part 4 - RPG Characters You guessed it - questions for role-playing characters. Part 5 - De-Suifiers Questions that subtract from the final score. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST AND READ THEM CAREFULLY - MISUSE OF THIS TEST WILL CAUSE INACCURATE RESULTS! How to use this test: Answer all questions for which the answer is 'yes' or 'technically yes' unless the item mentioned is commonplace in the universe you are writing for. If most people in your story's world have wings, skip the question about flying. If it's established that anyone can have technicolor hair (as in many Japanese cartoons) pink coifs don't apply as "unusually" colored hair. If your character had an exotic name because you make up most of your characters' names, you would not answer yes to having an unusual-sounding name that you made up. Sue-ness is relative. ;) If your character is a role-playing character and the only reason you can answer 'yes' is because of other players acting of their own free wills (IE, everyone has their characters throwing themselves at your character's feet and you've done nothing to force this) do not answer yes to the corresponding question. Make sure that you answer the questions properly depending on what type of universe your character is in: Fanfiction - a story set in a world you didn't make up. Original Fiction - a story set in a world you made up yourself. RPG - Role-Playing Game. If you see a question that looks like it's been linked, rest your cursor over it - it contains a tool tip, which should contain further information on the subject. Please, please, please remember that these are the symptoms, not the disease. I am not implying that each of these traits is inheirently bad and should be avoided at all costs. Think of them as being like salt or spices - they serve to enhance the dish when used in the right amounts, but when used too liberally, the result tends to be quite unappetizing. While it is true that some writers are skilled enough to pull off characters that fall into the 'Sue category, do not assume that you are one of them. I've seen plenty of Sue-authors fall into this trap. Instead, go out and get feedback from people more experienced in reading/writing, preferably adults. Not teenagers. Adults. Furthermore, this test has never been nor probably will be perfect. At best, I can only offer it as a guide, not an instruction manual. UPDATE: Many people who have taken this test have claimed it's impossible to get a non-Sue unless your character is a plain ordinary human, or that my test is biased against fantasy characters. I've used this test on several fantasy characters, including characters from certain popular video games and other media, and they came out just fine. So perhaps your character is a bit more of a Sue than you want to admit. ;) UPDATE 2: All instances of "he/she" and "xir" have been replaced by gender-neutral pronouns "xe" and "xir," because not all characters fit into the male/female dichotomy. :P Part 1 - All Characters This area applies to RPG characters, fanfiction characters, and original fiction characters. Is or does your character's name... Your name, variation of your name, nickname, screenname, or any name that has been applied to you? (Spelling it differently or changing it a little counts.) Fic: RPG: A name you planned on giving one of your children? Any ordinary name spelled or changed so that it's more unusual? A boyish sounding name for a girl character? Involve a noun or verb not usually used as a name, spelled normally or not? If a noun, is it related to nature, a weapon, a gemstone, darkness, or something mystical? Something that your character chose for xirself? Taken from a character from another fandom that you like? A really unusual-sounding name (unusual in the character's time/place/world) that you made up yourself? Unusual for your character's time, place, and/or ethnicity? Belong to a country or culture your character does not belong to? Chosen specifically because you thought it had a meaning appropriate for your character? Is your character also known by a cool nickname or unique title/address? More than one? Did you base your character's looks on your own? Does your character look how you wish you look? Is your character described, illustrated, and/or shown as exceptionally beautiful, cute, or handsome? Do you find your character attractive enough to date xir? Does anyone fight or squabble over your character because of xir looks? Is anyone (including you) jealous of your character's good looks? Do any characters see xir attractiveness as a threat? Do other characters frequently tell your character how sexy or beautiful xe is? Does your character modestly deny it every time or refuses to believe that xe is attractive? Does your character have a great body/physique, which you describe, show, and/or illustrate in detail? Despite the fact that xir eating and/or excersizing habits decree that xe should be under or overweight? Does your character weigh so little that xe looks or should be anorexic, but isn't? Do you use poetic and/or creative terms to describe your character? Do you frequently describe your character's beautiful/handsome/cute attributes or point out how sexy your character is? Conversely, do you go to great lengths describing how your character is not gorgeous? Does your character's description contain anything to the effect of "xe looks just like [other character/celebrity] except..." Do other characters find your character extremely attractive and desirable, even when they should be completely gross and icky? (EG, after battling, getting tortured, going for days without bathing or washing.) Does your character have any of the following? Natural eye coloration not normally found in xir race/species? Eyes with any other unusual qualities? Natural hair color not normally found in xir race/species? Unusual feature of any other kind? (Particularly unusual/exotic birthmark, tattoo, etc.) Does your character have a particularly attractive scent that doesn't come from their perfume or shampoo? Does your character have a scar or other small flaw that is noticed by someone, but does not actually detract from your character's appearance? Has your character been in a lot of physical fights and/or battles, but doesn't have many noticable scars to show for it? (Do not click if healing technology or magic is commonly available that allows for healing without scars.) Does your character have a particularly piercing (EG, "can stare straight into your soul"), haunting, captivating, or dazzling gaze? Does your character's personal choice of clothing frequently include... Clothing that you deliberately picked from your own wardrobe? Clothing chosen because you really wished you owned it or could get away with wearing it in public? Clothing chosen because it makes your character look super sexy and/or badass? Clothing that is realistically impractical or improper for the character's situation, but looks cool? Do you describe your character's clothing by the scene or stereotype it is most often associated with? - But ignore if this is because someone in the story is describing the character. Is your character impervious to any of the normal limitations and/or weaknesses of xir species? Does your character belong to a species whose members are generally extremely attractive by human standards? Do they normally have a really high sex drive by human standards and/or have the ability to turn on virtually any human they meet? Is your character belong to an exotic or unusual race or species with powers/abilities beyond human (or whatever the "normal"/most commonly shown species/race in the story is) ability? (If your character belongs to a race you made up, consider taking the Mary Sue Race Test.) Is your character a cross-breed/hybrid of any kind? In a universe where hybrids are very unusual? A hybrid of more than two species? Does xe possess the strengths of both species, but none of the weaknesses? Or does your character have all of the weaknesses, but none of the strengths? - Minus 4! Is your character part something furry, yet shows no sign of being anything but human save for a furry tail, animal ears, fangs, and/or claws? If not a cross-breed, then at least cross-cultural? Does your character belong to a species that typically has an appearance or exhibits behaviors that most real-life people would find unattractive or unappealing, but your character looks or acts more human for some reason? Does your character become a genetically, scientifically, cybernetically, or magically altered/enhanced being, possibly with new powers? Is xe happier this way? Do people like xir better this way? Do you wish it would happen to you? Was your character kidnapped specifically for some type of experiment or project in order for this to happen? Do think of your character as an ideal role-model? Does your character voice political, social, and/or religious opinions which you share? Does xe convince others that xir way of thinking is right? Does your character express unusally free, enlightened, or "liberated" views on topics such as sex and equality for xir time/place? And does no-one frown upon your character's behaviors or views? Or do only characters who don't matter disapprove, IE, the villain, the "village idiot," fusty old grandpa, etc? If your character has a spitfire personality, sharp wit, or attitude, are the tongue-lashings they give other characters always deserved and justified? If your character is openly defiant or disrespectful toward authority figures, is your character always justified and in the right? Are any other actions that get your character into trouble with authority always justified from your point of view? Do authority figures punish your character more harshly than they would have punished his or her peers under the same circumstances? Do authority figures not punish your character when they probably would have punished his or her peers under the same circumstances? Is your character easily provoked to violence - but only gets into fights with characters who truly deserve the beating they get? Are The Rules of the universe bent or broken for your character? (Like joining a group despite being too old or too young.) Does your character have any of the following psychological disorders for the following reasons? Antisocial Personality Disorder - to explain your character's Jerkass Loner personality? Split personality - so your character can do "bad" stuff, yet still have a claim to innocence? Inability to form a solid intimate relationship - so xe has an excuse to sleep with as many people as you want? Is your character mainly driven by completely-justified revenge? Does your character have a past xe cannot remember? If/when your character discovers xir past, will xe not like it? And/or discover that xe is actually someone of great importance? Are animals instinctively attracted to your character? How many animal companions does your character keep? (Ordinary, non-magical pets like cats and dogs - or any pet considered ordinary within the canon - do not count.) Is said animal a wolf, bird of prey, big cat, or mythical creature? Does your character habitually share profound wisdom and knowledge? Does your character always have money to spend on frivolities or whatever xe really wants or needs at the time? For no apparent reason? (Character never works or gives any clue to any source of income.) Did you choose your character's occupation and/or hobbies because you think they sound neat, glamorous, prestigious, or exciting? Does your character share your favorite types of movies, music, clothes, hobbies, etc? Even though your character belongs to a different race/species/group that has its own culture and entertainment already, or normally doesn't care for that type of thing at all? Is your character unusually accomplished for xir age, time period, place, occupation, and/or social status? In something that is extremely desirable and/or useful in the story's universe? In something that is extremely difficult for virtually anyone achieve? Is your character unusally accomplished in more than one area? Does your character pick up new skills unusually fast during the course of the story? Like, insanely fast? Is your character the best or among the best at anything xe does? One box for each: Is xe famous/reknowned for any of these? Are other characters extremely impressed or astonished at your character's skills and/or virtues? (Does not count if they are easily impressed due to their own inexperience.) Do they impress even the most cynical, jaded, exacting, and/or experienced? Does your character modestly dismiss or deflect well-earned compliments? Does your character have Barbie Doll syndrome? Ah, the sound of music! Does your character... Have an exceptionally beautiful singing voice? Play a musical instrument very well? Is this instrument a guitar, harp, or flute? Can xe charm others with xir musical talent? Does your character use magic in a typically non-magical universe? Does your character fly in a canon where most characters are groundbound? Without wings or other apparent means? Does your character have telepathic and/or telekinetic (Force-like) abilities in a world where this is unusual? Do these powers allow your character to 'see' or just 'know things' without actually being there, allowing him or her to save the day? Do they make up for a disability, such as being blind, deaf, or mute? Does your character have a telepathic/empathic connection or the ability to communicate with any kind of animal? Anything such as horses, wolves, big cats, or mythical creatures? - Bonded creatures do not count, so long as this is within a universe where this is perfectly normal and it is your character's one and only bonded creature. Does your character have the ability to shapeshift? Does your character possess unusual healing powers? Strong enough to save a character from mortal injury and/or death? Does your character posess power that can take out entire cities/legions of soldiers/general all-around-evil? Does your character end up in a tight spot and discover that xe has really cool powers that were dormant and/or unknown before? (Does not count if this is how the story begins.) Does your character have any other relatively unique special powers/abilities that come in handy? Not counting his or her first language, how many languages does your character fluently speak? Click one box for every language: Does your character succeed at virtually everything xe tries? Do xir initial plans, strategies, ideas, etc. always (or nearly always) work? But only after everyone else dismisses it and tries everything else first? On the other hand, if your character does bungle almost everthing, is xe quickly and easily forgiven for it? Does your character ever single-handedly take out more armed forces (EG, security guards, soldiers) than you can count on one hand using xir kick-butt skills? Is anyone envious of your character's talents and/or abilities? Because xe constantly beats them at their own game/games? Does your character alone use a weapon that... Was passed down from a parent/trainer? Was given by some kind of spirit/magical being? -Do you often mention that it belonged to someone beforehand? Is magical? Is unusually ornate? Is from a different culture or country than your character? Does your character use a sword-type weapon in a relatively modern setting for no logical reason? Does your character frequently carry knives, daggers, or other little sharp pointy objects concealed within xir clothing for no other reason than that they might be come in handy? Does your character possess a unique trinket that is magical and/or has some special significance? Does this trinket protect your character from some weakness? Does your character have unfairly restrictive parents/guardians? Alternatively, do your character's parents/guardians let xir do whatever xe wants and never really get in the way or ask too many questions? Is your character nobility, closely related to a noble, or at least a rough equivalent? (President, governor, etc.) Nobility without knowing it? Adopted by or become a noble at any point? Is your character extremely popular or positively renowned where xe comes from or frequents? Is your character undeservingly despised and/or outcast by most people? Because your character is unusually talented/attractive/rich? Because of xir special powers? (If your character is despised by everyone because xe gets so much attention, douse yourself with cold water RIGHT NOW.) Is your character some kind of 'chosen one' and/or a major part of a prophecy? Does your character consider xir talents, special abilities, or good looks to be a curse? (A few moments or an episode of wishful/speculative thinking don't count; it must be a constant or near-constant thing.) Does your character manage to become friends with a villain, and through this friendship cause the villain to become reformed? Does the villain revert back to his old ways, but retains some bit of goodness, caused by your character committing a selfless act of some kind? On the subject of your character and xir family... Was your character orphaned, abandoned, kicked out, or at least raised by a family/person that was not xir own family? Was a major villain responsible for the death of the parents or guardians? Was your character responsible for the death of xir parents/guardians? Did your character witness the death of the parents/guardians? Was xe adopted by a cruel family or person? Ran away at any point? Raised xirself? Lived in the streets? The very last or only survivor of anything? Adopted by another species/racial group? What about any of these? Born/raised in extreme poverty? Born/forced into slavery? Banished from anywhere? A member of a despised, outcast, and/or downtrodden race or group? An illegitimate child in a society where this is stigmatized? The parent of an illegitimate child in a society where this is stigmatized? Physically abused? Sexually abused/raped? If your character lost her virginity unwillingly, does she find a way to restore it? Has your character otherwise lost... A child? Lover? Close friend? Did anything else remarkably strange or otherwise unusual happen in your character's infancy? If your character has a torment-ridden, pain-filled past, do you believe it excuses xir actions? If female, does your character have "rebellious princess syndrome?" Does your character angst about something that xe did in the past? Death of a main character's family? Death of xir own family? Does your character eventually learn that it wasn't xir fault? If your character has to prove xirself, does xe completely pwn everyone else and make them look like buffoons in the process? If your character is a villain... Does xe reform by the end of the story? Does xe reform because of act of kindness on the part of the hero? Does a major villain have a personal fixation/obsession with your character? For no apparent reason? Something that has to do with your character's family, and not your character xirself? Is your character ever spared by an otherwise-ruthless villain? Despite the fact that xe has already done massive damage to the villain, the villain's troops, and/or stronghold? Because the villain is attracted to your character? Have you ever wished your character was real so you could be friends or lovers with xir? Have you ever imagined you are this character? - Skip if the only imagining you do is when you write the story. Do you feel insulted, attacked, or defensive when someone does not like your character? If people don't like your character, do you believe it's just because they don't "get" him or her? Did you feel that this test insulted or attacked you or your character so far? Part 2 - Original Fiction Characters Only answer these questions if your character is for an original fiction. (For a new character you plan to add to an established original fiction universe, see the Fan-Character Specific Area.) Not an original fiction character? Skip this section. Does your character have markedly more romance in xir life than any other regular character? (IE, xe gets all the girls/guys - AKA Kirk Syndrome.) Everyone else combined? Even though there's no good reason why the other characters can't get a date? Are all of your character's love interests the type of people you'd like to hook up with? Is your character well-liked by nearly everyone xe meets? Do they care for your character more than they care for friends they've known longer? Would anyone die for your character? (Unless, of course, said character would pretty much die for any casual friend/acquaintance.) Even characters that are not known for their friendly, outgoing attitudes? Are most (if not all) characters who don't like your character merely mean, spiteful, and/or jealous of xir? Do characters who criticize or don't like your character from the start like xir by the end, or at least have a grudging respect? Does anyone who doesn't like or respect your character by the end of the story end up beaten up, humiliated, and/or dead? Does your character have a job or skill that is discouraged, forbidden, or unusual among xir gender, race, or social status? Does your character single-handedly save the day way more often than other main characters? More than the other main characters combined? Even when there's no good reason why another character wouldn't have been just as capable? Magically or mystically? Does your character die in the process? (Any nasty irreversable thing, like getting sent to an inescapable dimension count, too.) By almost dying? Does everyone mourn the death of your character? Is xe revived by the end of the story? Is xe revived? Does your character play a major and pivotal role in saving a world, race, or group to which xe does not belong? Does xe become one of their leaders? Part 3 - Fan Characters & Newcomers Only answer these questions if you are taking this test for a fan character (fiction or RPG) OR for a new character whom you plan to add to an established original series (consider the original cast as canon and the newcomer as a fan character). Not a fan character or newcomer? Skip this section. Is your character's name a variation, pun, or synonym of a canon character's name? Do your introduce and/or describe your character on the first page? (Ignore if this is an RPG character.) In minute detail? On the first paragraph? Does your character share a notable physical characteristic with a canon character, or at least have one that is remarkably similar? (Genetic resemblances do not count here.) Is your character basically a female version of a favorite male character? Is your character of a species that is not normally found in the fandom for which you are writing? Was your character trained in some art by or with a canon character? Does your character share tastes or a hobby with a canon character? Is your character just as good or even better at the jobs and/or skills of one or more canon characters? (EG, better hacker or smarter than the nerd character, better fighter than the tough character.) For no apparent reason? Does xe have the talents, skills, and/or abilities of several canon characters combined? Does your character... Know something that only a canon character should know? Do something that only a canon character should have done? Was it something that changed said canon character originally? If your character is the child of one or more canon characters, did xe inheirit any of the parents' powers or talents? Is xe even better than the parents? If the last question did not apply, does your character have a weapon or power that is just as good that of a canon character? Is it, for all intents and purposes, almost just like a canon character's weapon or power, only better? If not similar, does it just happen to be more powerful? Does your character possess a weapon or artifact that is not normal in the universe xe is in? (For example, a lightsaber in a Lord of the Rings story.) Does your character carry around a trinket of some kind that's similar to and/or somehow relates to a canon character's previously-unique trinket? Does your character end up saving the day and/or the life of another character? Magically or mystically? Does your character die in the process? (Any nasty irreversable thing, like getting sent to an inescapable dimension count, too.) By almost dying? Does everyone mourn the death of your character? Is xe revived by the end of the story? Is xe revived? Does your character belong to the Resistance/Rebellion/Elite or any other special/elite group? A member or child of someone in this group without knowing it? Become a member at some point in the story? Do they specifically join the hero's team/clique/crew? Is your character closely related to a canon character? The sibling? The child? The lost child/sibling? The twin/clone? Are the parents canon characters that seem very unlikely to get together? Do other characters comment on or are amazed by how much your character looks like xir canon relative? If your charcter is not actually related, does xe have other connections to the canon characters? Is your character liked by all the canon characters you like? Do they care for your character more than they care for their canon friends? Would any canon character die for your character? (Unless, of course, said canon character would pretty much die for any casual friend/aquaintance.) Even characters that are not known for their friendly, outgoing attitudes? Do characters who criticize or don't like your character from the start like xir by the end, or at least have a grudging respect? Or does anyone who criticizes or doesn't like your character end up getting beaten up, humiliated, and/or dead? Do other characters look up to your character? As a leader? Do canon leaders see your character as a threat because of this? How many major characters fall for your character? How many minor characters fall for your character? How many major characters does your character fall for? How many minor characters does your character fall for? And... Does your character become the boyfriend/girlfriend of a canon character? Sleep with a canon character? Or not sleep with a canon character because xe 'isn't that kind'? End up married to xir? Or give up this romance for some greater good/noble purpose? Does the canon love interest break up with a previous love in order for any of this to happen? Does your character fall for the characters that that you fall for? Does your character make canon characters realize their romantic feelings for each other? Did a 'something special' not exist at all until your character came along? Does this romance contradict a character's previously-established sexual orientation? Assuming your character has non-canon friends and/or peers somewhere, does xe hang out with the canon characters more than xir own friends or peers? Does your character end up living with or especially close to any of the canon characters? Is your character a 20th/21st century Earth citizen transported to another time/world? If the above does not apply, is your character from another time, world, or reality? Another published universe? Is your character's history remarkably similar to the history of a canon character? Is your character involved in a canon character's past somehow? In a way that was contradicts the original story? Is the story told all or mostly from your character's point of view? When your character makes xir first appearance, do most, if not all, the canon characters notice xir right away? Does this scene occur in a crowded place? Do the adventures of your character mirror or closely resemble the adventures of any of the canon characters? - Ignore if this is because it happens to pretty much everyone in the canon. Does your character save the canon characters from a situation or come up with a solution that they probably could have done by themselves in the original? (Admittedly, lead characters tend to be phenominally lucky, but still...) Does xe solve the personal problems of any canon character? Does your character tell off, beat up, humiliate, outdo, or kill a character to whom you would personally like to do the same? At any point, does your character take over the job/position of a canon character? Because it's a position that you think is interesting or fun? Because you think that the character who already does this job isn't good enough? Does your character take over this job permanantly? Does your character get kidnapped by the bad guys? Do the canon characters immediately come to the rescue? Does xe rescue xirself? Was your character kidnapped for any special reason? If an RP character played in a freestyle RP, have you tried this plot device with your character more than once during the story? Does your character single-handedly accomplish what no-one has been able to do so far? If you create your own 'arc,' storyline, or plot event... Does your character know everything about what's going on? ...While the canon characters know almost nothing at all? Does it take place in another world, which your character is familiar with? Is your character vital to the resolution of the arc/plot? Does this plot/arc replace a canon storyline? Do you plan on writing more stories about your character? Do you plan on writing stories about your character's children? Part 4 - RPG Characters Only answer these questions if you are testing an RPG character. Do you or have other players told you that you constantly try to bring the story's spotlight onto your character, or have your character do most of the heroic/cool stuff? If your character is in a tight spot, do you give xir a new gadget or ability so xe can escape? Part 5 - De-Suifiers Answer for characters of any fiction type. These will subtract from your final score. Do you ever poke fun at your character's faults/weaknesses and/or use them as plot devices? Has your character ever been honestly selfish, petty, lazy, shallow, or pointlessly cruel? Is your character really and honestly overweight, and stays overweight throughout the entire story? (A little bit of chubbiness does not count.) Is your character honestly ugly, and stays ugly throughout the entire story? Does your character get into a fight or rush into a situation without preparing for it - and get xir butt completely owned? Is your character out of shape, and stays out of shape for the entire story? (Not 'oh, man, I just don't think I can survive this triathlon,' but honestly, hinderingly wimpy?) Is your character physically disabled, and has nothing to make up for it? (To quote Dr. Merlin, anyone who says "She's so pretty that it's like a disability because everyone hates her or wants to have sex with her" will be summarily keelhauled.) Is xe truly mentally disabled in some way and has no powers because or despite of this? Is your character human, 40+, and looks xir age? Older than 60? Does your character have a truly debilitating phobia that does not mysteriously disappear at a crucial moment? Has your character ever run away from anything simply because xe was a coward? If your character had a bad past with xir parents, does xe reconcile with them at any point? Has your character ever been in a situation that xe had no way of overcoming on xir own and had to rely on others for help? Did xe give up without trying? Did xe give up after failing? If xe eventually found a way of overcoming a problem that initially seemed hopeless, was it extremely difficult and/or took a really long time? Does your character ever seriously question the morality of xir actions and/or is left with a lingering doubt that xe may not have done the right thing? Does your character suffer post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of everything xe has gone or goes through? Is your character ever manipulated or used as an unwitting pawn by someone without the aid of mind-control technology, magic, or drugs? With tragic results? Has your character ever misjudged someone else and discovered they were completely wrong about that person? Does your character ever admit to being wrong, even if xe doesn't really mean it? Has your character ever ignored wrong-doings against xirself and/or others because xe simply didn't want to get into trouble? If your character is all or partially non-human, does xe react in very non-human ways or in ways more appropriate to xir species? Does your character act in odd and/or awkward ways that other people find strange and confusing rather than endearing, and these people aren't called or portrayed as foolish/stupid because of it? If your character is vampire, is xe... A mindless killer? Maybe not mindless, but has no significant moral or emotional issues with killing/murder? Unable to have sex? Unattractive? Unable to overcome xir dependance on blood? Do you view your characters more like tools than friends/children? Did you spend days, if not months or longer carefully and thoughtfully researching the traumas, hardships, and handicaps your character has so you could write them as realistically and sensitively as possible? (This includes talking to or reading blogs/books written by people who have lived or experienced it first-hand; simply reading medical or psychological sites can help, but they don't count alone.) Your total is: 0-16 Points Most likely Not-Sue. Characters at this level could probably take a little spicing up without hurting them any. 17-21 Probably not a Mary-Sue, although a character can go either way at this point. Fanfiction writers should pay attention to ensure that their characters aren't getting too Sue-ish. For an RPG or original fiction character, however, you're probably perfectly fine. 22-29 Some definite Sue-like tendancies here. A little polishing might be in order to put original fiction and RPG characters back into the balance, especially if Kirking is involved. Fanfiction characters should probably have some work done. 30+ Fanfiction authors beware - Mary's on the loose. There's still a chance you can save this character with some TLC, though. Role-players and original fiction characters, you should also strongly consider giving your character a workover. 36+ Fanfiction authors, you might just want to start over. Role-players and original fiction authors, at this point your characters are likely to provoke eye-rolling and exclaimations of "yeah, right!" from your readers. (Well, at least from me.) Immediate workover is probably in order. 50+ Kill it dead. Or make sure you read the instructions properly (some people don't do this, which causes freakishly high scores) and take the test again. Disclaimer: Part 1: Any resemblance to other characters in the "samples" is strictly coincidental. Part 2: If your character receives a high score, it is NOT an attack against you. I am in no way to be accused of bashing your character, capice? 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