The Boy-Band MarySue Litmus Test

By Writin'Chica2K
(da_lady_bass@hotmail.com)


Notes: By no means is this test a wholly original creation of mine. It was modeled after the first official Mary Sue Litmus test (address currently unvailable, does anybody know it?) that pertained to Gargoyles fics. I have remodeled it to suit the three major boy-bands; BSB, 'N Sync, and O-Town. Enjoy.



Section One -- The Name Of The Game

Is the character named after you? (This can be your first name, middle name, or the name you go by in chat or IRC.) If so, stop now. Put your pencil (mouse?) down and turn in your test. [10]
DO NOT NAME YOUR CHARACTER AFTER YOURSELF.
DO NOT NAME YOURSELF AFTER YOUR CHARACTER.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR EXCEPTION IS.

Is the character's name an unusual spelling of a more common name or word? [1]
Is the character's name unusual in another way? [1]
A female with a male-sounding name? [1]
A female version of a boy-bander's name? [5]
A name the character chose for him or herself, because s/he "didn't want to forget"? [1]
A noun or adjective not normally used for a name (especially for human characters) [1]? (exe. Could this name have stepped out of a V.C. Andrews book?)
Does the character have a really cool name that you wish you had? [1]
Is the character's name in the title of the story? [5]?
Does the character have more than one name? (i.e. a nickname or a pseudonym that other you use to refer to the character)[1]
Did you spend more than a day looking for just the right name? [1]
Have you considered naming your pet or child the character's name[1]?



Section Two -- Gee, That Character Looks Familiar...

Is the character the same gender as you? [1]
Is the character from the same racial group as you? (Note: if the character is a magical/genetically altered being, answer yes to this question.) [1]
Is the character a cross-breed of any other type? (i.e. multi-racial) [1]
Is the character not subject to limitations normally put upon someone of this species? (Examples: A character who is any part gargoyle but does not turn to stone at dawn. A character who is in any part fay but is not vulnerable to iron. A human who is immortal.) [4]
Note: Take away four points if the character does not have the benefits of being part of the race but still has the drawbacks. (Examples: A character who is any part gargoyle who cannot fly, ever, in your entire story series. A character who is part fay who cannot work magic, ever, in your entire story series.) Take away only one point if the character eventually does get the benefit, anywhere in the story series.
Is the character a teenager or in her/his early twenties? [1]
Does the character look like s/he is a teenager or in her/his early twenties for no apparent reason? [2]
For a magical or special scientific reason? [2]
That you plan on making a plot point later? [1]
Is the character the age you would like to be? [1]
Is the character beautiful or roguishly handsome? [1]
Does one or more of the regulars find the character highly attractive? [1]
Do other regulars see him/her as a threat because of this? [1]
Does the character have an unusual eye color for no apparent reason? [3]
Will this be a plot point later? [1]
Does the character have really nice hair that you describe more than once, or on the first page? [1]
Does the character have an accent which you do not share? [1]



Section Three -- Who They Be

Is the character the long-lost child or descendent or sibling of a boy-bander? [1]
Of another original character for whom you intend to write another story or even another series? [1]
Was the character adopted or did he/she otherwise live with people who were not his/her parents as a child? [1]
Did the character have a tragic youth? (For this, read abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual trauma, second or third-class cultural status, slavery, extreme poverty, forced criminality, or being the sole survivor of any calamity. In short, did you get any ideas from V.C. Andrews?) [3] (Add an extra point for rape or other sexual abuse.)
Does the character suffer from guilt about something terrible that s/he did in the past? [1]
Do the other characters eventually convince her/him that it was not his/her fault? [1]
Does the character share your religious beliefs? [1]
Did the character have an unusual birth? [1]
Does the character have a twin, a clone, or a sibling of the same gender? [2]
About whom you plan on writing another story later? [2]
Does the character have a very good singing voice? [2]
Or play a musical instrument amazingly well? [1]
The guitar or flute, for instance? [2]
Does the character have better taste in music than you do? (For example, does your character own CDs that you think educated people ought to own, even though you've never actually listened to the music yourself?) [1]
Does the character do what you do for fun or profit? (This includes having the same job you have, or would like to have when you're older, or having a job that sounds like a lot of fun even though you know nothing about it. It can also mean RPing, computer programming, whatever.) [1]
Is the character a professional singer? [3]
An actor/actress? [2]
A model? [1]
A songwriter/producer/dancer? [2]
A fan? [5]
Is the character royalty of any type? [3]
That she/he does not originally know about? [3]
Does the character make more wisecracks than Joey/AJ/Erik? [1]
Because Joey/AJ/Erik is your favorite boy-bander? [1]
Does everyone end up liking the character (among the regulars you like)? [1]



Section Four -- Here They Come To Save The Day!

The Fay:
Is the character at all or part fay? [1]
But doesn't find out until the middle or end of the story, or will find out in a future story you already have planned? [2]
The Rest:
Does the character, not being fay, have magical/mutant powers anyway? [2]
Does the character have telekinesis or telepathy? (Twins count.)[2]
Does the character just "know things" for no apparent reason? [2]
Can the character fly? [1]
Without the aid of wings? [2]
Can the character heal with a touch and/or thought? [1]
Do animals (especially fuzzy ones) instinctively like the character? [2] (Take away two points if the only animals that like the character are non-butterfly insects and crawly lizard-types.)



Section Five -- The Love-Line

Does the character fall in love with and/or have sex with one or more boy-bander? (If anyone writes a story with the character falling in love or having sex with every member of one or more boy-bands, send me a copy. ^-^) [3]
Because you want to have sex with one or more boy-bander? [1]
Does the character fall in love with and/or have sex with another recurring character from their world? (Think a sibling, a producer, a dancer, a songwriter...) [1] (Add an extra point for Wade.)
With whom you would like to fall in love and/or have sex? [1]
Does the character fall in love with and/or have sex with another original character? [1]
With whom you would like to fall in love and/or have sex? [1]
Does the story end with the character's wedding? [2]
Is it attended by more than one boy-bander or associate? [2]



Section Six -- The Real World And Your Character

Would you like to be friends with the character if you met in real life? [1]
Do you think everyone who reads the story should automatically like the character and want to be friends with the character? [1]
If someone tells you he/she doesn't like your character, do you take it as a personal attack on you? [1]
Do you ever pretend, just to yourself, that you are the character, with the same strengths and abilities? [1]



Section Seven -- The Fiendish Plot

Do you introduce the character on the first page of the story? [2]
Do you tell the story from the character's point of view, all or mostly? [1]
Does the character meet the boy-banders, and after a few tense pages of plot, become friends with them? [2]
Does the character manage to develop a friendship with an otherwise villainous character, and through this friendship, reform the other character? [2]
Is the villain in question Britney Spears or Lou Pearlman or Willa Ford? [1]
Does the villain become evil again after the character dies, but retain some last vestige of goodness from his/her interaction with the character, evidenced in one selfless action at the end of the story? [4]
Is the character transformed into a gargoyle or into a magical or genetically-altered being? [5]
Is the character happier in her/his new form? [1]
Do people like the character better in her/his new form? [1]
Do you wish you could be transformed because of the neat powers? [1]
Does the character save the day and/or another character's life? [3]
Through magical/mystical intervention? [1]
Through dying? (Turning to stone forever counts.) [3]
Through almost dying? [2]
Does everyone go into mourning? [1]
Does s/he get not-dead by the end of the story? [4]
Will s/he get not-dead in the sequel? [4]
Do you plan to write many more stories revolving around this character? [1]



Possible Points: 155 [excluding the first question]

0-15 Developed character, unlikely MS.
16-31 Borderline character. Characters in this range are potential MS's, who can go either way dependent on the author's skill.
46-61 May Sue/Marty Stu. Proceed with greatest caution.
62+ Reconsider your character and plot. Please.


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