What Does Mary Sue / Gary Stu Mean?
Writing & CraftA derogatory label for an original character — or an overhauled canon character — who is implausibly perfect: universally adored, effortlessly skilled, and central to every plot. Gary Stu (or Marty Stu) is the male equivalent.
Mary Sue / Gary Stu in Practice
The term traces back to 1970s Star Trek zine fandom, where a parody story poked fun at idealized young original characters who outshone the canon crew. Over the decades 'Mary Sue' expanded from a specific critique into a catch-all insult, and that drift sparked pushback: many fans argue the label is applied far more harshly to female characters and to young writers' early, self-indulgent work, which is a normal part of learning to write. Modern fandom is generally gentler about it, and some authors reclaim the term by writing deliberately over-the-top Sues for fun.
Example usage
"Her first OC was a total Mary Sue with violet eyes and a tragic past, and honestly? Iconic."
Related Terms
OC (Original Character)
A character invented by the fan author rather than taken from canon. OCs range from background extras who fill out a scene to fully realized protagonists.
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Self-Insert
A fic where the author writes a version of themselves into the story's world, interacting with canon characters. Sometimes thinly disguised as an OC; sometimes proudly undisguised.
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OOC (Out of Character)
Describes behavior that doesn't match how a character acts in canon. As a critique it means the characterization rings false; as an author's tag it's a preemptive admission.
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Canon
The official source material and everything established as true within it — the events, characters, and facts of the original book, show, game, or film. Fanfiction defines itself in relation to canon: following it, bending it, or discarding it.
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More Writing & Craft Terms
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