[Writing] Question to the Masses...

[jon_chaisson]

Just thought of this while playing around with the Chapter 2 outline for the New Project:

Would it be considered a Mary Sue if I based settings and character setups on real people and places (with a little bit of myself thrown in), but more for inspiration than Mary Sue-ing?

Thing is, two of the characters are brother and sister and have two older siblings--Kati is the youngest, Tim the next oldest, and two as-yet-unnamed older brothers, the gender opposite of my family. Added to the fact that the house they grew up in, while definitely not an exact blueprint, bears a few similarities (color, age, surroundings, etc.) to the one I grew up in, changed just enough to protect privacy, of course. And while I do see some of myself in both of these characters, I'm constantly making them do and think things I wouldn't automatically think of doing.

Anyway, my point is that I'm not doing a Mary Sue, at least not consciously...but I'm curious as to what others might think on the subject? What's the line between inspiration and outright putting myself in the book?

Comments

[mekkasimian.livejournal.com]

IF SUSPECT PULL MARY SUE? PROBABLY ARE.

(JUST KNOW DIFFERENCE.)

=M=

[dollydelusion.livejournal.com]

I think so long as it's not one of those situations where you're painting yourself as this super awesome character that saves the day and has no flaws (as all people are flawed in some form, I've yet to figure yours out though) then it should be okay. If you keep a realistic tone, give yourself balance as a character then it should be fine. Virtues and flaws are usually the name of the game.

When I did the "casting" for my book I actually worked out their personalities and histories on paper before I even wrote about them. I gave them all major character defects... the biggest one in my main character (based after myself in some ways) is her tendency to be extremely negative and self effacing even though others see her as a decent person but wish she would stop hating herself so much. I did that because she needs to surpass the human emotions before she can advance to the higher level.

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

I think you're thinking/worrying too hard about it.

Go for it :D

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Considering I base characters on real people I know (usually for one trait or another), I don't see how it would be a Mary Sue at all.

Unless, of course, the character based on you is absolutely perfect, rich, smart, sexy AND saves the day without breaking a fingernail, that is. ;)

[chang3002.livejournal.com]

Nah, I think you're good. Unless they have perfect hair or teeth.