First of all, not every original character is a Mary Sue.  Most original characters are not, and for this, we can all do the Dance of Joy.  On the other hand, the Stargate fandom (like most others that inspire fanfiction) is filled with them, and only a few realize it.  Remember, by the simplest definition, a Mary Sue is an idealized version of the author.

This test is designed to help an aspiring author determine whether his or her character is a Mary Sue. The scoring is simple -- for every question answered "Yes," (even if it's "technically yes, but..." still count a yes) add the number of points in brackets to your score. Be honest; you're not helping yourself by saying "But it doesn't really count because ... " The higher your score, the more likely it is the character is a problem, or worse, is a retread of an hundred characters exactly like him/her/it.

Note:  I should make clear that many of these Mary Sue indicators did not originate with me.  I have drawn heavily (and with permission) from the Original Mary Sue Litmus Test (for Gargoyles fanfiction) and the Mary Sue Litmus Test at the P/T Collective.  And before you e-mail me in protest, remember that this test is only for original fanfiction characters (i.e. not Sam, Danny, Thor, Cassie, etc.).


SECTION 1 -- CHARACTER NAMES:

1. 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, you might want to stop now because what you have is the ultimate Mary Sue: an avatar. NOTE: this does not apply to Ness or Wendy in the Danny Lurks series. [10]

2. Is the character's name an unusual spelling of a more common name or word (including spelling variations of common names involving  y or e, Tau'ri name on an alien world, etc.)? Who ever heard of an Asgard named Amee? [3]

3. Is the character's name unusual in another way?
* A female with a male-sounding name? That joke was already done in the with Sam in the pilot. [1]
* A noun or adjective not normally used for a name (especially for human characters)? [1]
* Named after another SG-1 character (Charlie, Jacob, Jack or Daniel Jr.)? There are enough strange little kids named Charlie running around the Stargate universe as it is. [1]

4. Does the character have a really cool name that you wish you had? [1]

5. Is the character named Hunter or Raven? Or is the character named after a character from another Sci-Fi show/movie (i.e. Crichton, Giles, Janeway, Striker, Bristow, Mulder, etc.)? [1]

6. Does the character have more than one name? (i.e. a cool nickname or a pseudonym that you use to refer to the character) [1]

7. Did you spend more than a day looking for just the right name? Using baby books to name a fanfic character is usually a bad sign. [1]

8. Have you considered naming your pet or child the character's name? [1]


SECTION 2 -- PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES:

9. Is the character the same gender as you? [1]

10. Is the character from the same racial group as you (or appear to be if not human) even if no one else from their planet is? You're not likely to see many light-eyed blondes running around Abydos. [1]

11. Is the character a hybrid of two or more species (i.e. half-Tok'ra/Goa'uld or half-Nox)? [3]
* Add 2 extra points if the character is a heretofore unknown Harsesis.

12. Is the character a teenager or in her/his early twenties? [1]

13. Does the character look like s/he is a teenager or in her/his early twenties for no apparent or canonical reason? [2]
*For a magical or special scientific reason that will be a plot point later (i.e. Goa'uld nanites)? [2]

14. Is the character the same age as you? [1]

15. Is the character the age you would like to be? [1]

16. Is the character unusually beautiful or roguishly handsome? [1]

17. Does the character have an unusual eye color (for their species) for no apparent reason? [3]
* Is it violet/lavender/purple? [1]
* Will this be a plot point later? [1]

18. Does the character have really nice hair that you describe more than once, or on the first page? [1]

19. Does the character share your hair color or the hair color you would like to have? [1]

20. Does the character generally bear a strong resemblance to you (only better looking)? [2]

21. Does the character have an accent which you do not share? NOTE: does not apply to non-Americans writing about American characters in the SGC or Colorado Springs. [1]

22. Does the character share your non-American accent for reasons which you must then explain (i.e. British, Australian, etc. visitors to the SGC)? [1]


SECTION 3 -- PERSONAL TRAITS

23. Is the character the long-lost/future child or descendent or sibling or cousin of a regular or recurring character? [1]
* Of Jack and/or Sam? [2]
* Of Daniel and/or Janet? [2]
* Of another original character for whom you intend to write another story or even another series? [1]

24. Was the character adopted or did he/she otherwise live with people who were not his/her parents as a child? [1]

25. Is the character a childhood/school friend/former significant other of a regular or recurring character? Or someone with whom a regular or recurring character once worked or served in the Air Force? [1]

26. Did the character have a tragic youth (i.e. abuse, neglect, abandonment, slavery, extreme poverty, forced criminality, or being the sole survivor of any calamity)? [3]
* Add an extra point for rape or other sexual abuse.

27. Does the character suffer from guilt about something terrible that s/he did in the past (i.e. surviving/causing destruction of planet or death/Goa'ulding of family)? [1]
*Do the other characters eventually convince her/him that it was not his/her fault? [1]

28. Does the character share your religious beliefs? [1]
*Add an extra point if the character is not human.
*Add another point for each character converted to your religion by your character.
*If your character converts a Goa'uld to Christianity or Judaism, add 2 points and send me a copy of the story.

29. Did the character have an unusual birth (strange omens or particularly dramatic circumstances)? [1]

30. 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]

31. Does the character have a very good singing voice? [2]
* And/or play a musical instrument amazingly well? [1]

32. Does the character have the same taste in music as you? [1]

33. Does the character have impeccable fashion sense and/or an incredible wardrobe? [1]

34. Does the character have the job or hobby as you (or that you would like to have)? [1]
* If on Earth, is it a job that hasn't previously been seen in connection to the SGC? [1]
* Is s/he Cassie's teacher? [1]

35. Does the character make more wisecracks than Jack? [1]
* Because Jack is your favorite character? [1]

36. Is the character often maverick or unconventional, bordering on insubordinate? [1]

37. Are rules that apply to others bent or broken for him/her? [1]

38. Does the character excel at everything s/he turns his/her hand to? Or conversely, fail at everything s/he turns his/her hand to, but is forgiven? [1]

39. Does the character interact socially with SG-1 rather than his/her own team/peer group? [1]

40. Is the character unusually accomplished for his/her age? [1]

41. Is the character unusually skilled in areas outside his/her duty assignment? (example: is a nurse, but also an expert hacker) [1]

42. Does the character share a hobby or passion with a regular or recurring character (astrophysics, archaelogy, linguistics)? [1]

43. Does everyone end up liking the character (among the regulars/recurring characters you like)? [1]


SECTION 4 -- SUPER POWERS

44. Does the character have magical/mutant powers that are not canon for its species? [2]

45. Does the character have telekinesis or telepathy? (twins count) [1]

46. Does the character just "know things" for no apparent reason? [1]

47. Is the character from the future? [1]

48. Can the character inexplicably read and speak any language? [1]

49. Can the character heal with a touch and/or thought? (Nox don't count) [1]


SECTION 5 -- LOVE CONNECTIONS

50. Does one or more member of SG-1 (or Janet) find the character highly attractive? [1]
* Do other members of the team (or Janet) see him/her as a threat because of this? [1]

51. Does the character fall in love with and/or have sex with Jack and/or Daniel and/or Sam and/or Janet? [2]
* Because you want to have sex with Jack and/or Daniel and/or Sam and/or Janet? [1]

52. Does the character fall in love with and/or have sex with another regular or recurring character from the show (Teal'c, Lt. Simmons, Martouf, Anise)? [1]
* With whom you would like to fall in love and/or have sex? [1]

53. 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]

54. Does the story end with the character's wedding? [2]
* Is it attended by more than one alien? [2]

55. Do the words "Make love to me, Jack (or Sam or Danny...)" ever come out of your character's mouth? [3]
* "Screw the regs"? [1]
* "Ya think"? [1]
* "For crying out loud"? [1]
* "Holy Hannah"? [1]


SECTION 6 -- THE FIENDISH PLOT

56. Do you introduce the character on the first page of the story? [2]

57. Do you tell the story from the character's point of view, all or mostly? [1]

58. Does the character meet SG-1 and, either immediately or after a just few pages of plot, become friends with them? [1]

59. Does the character manage to develop a friendship with an otherwise villainous character? [2]
* Does the character reform the villain through their friendship? [1]
* Is the villain in question Apophis or another System Lord? [1]

60. Does the character play matchmaker for two regular or recurring characters whom you would like to see together? [3]

61. Does the character tell off and/or kill a regular or recurring character or characters whom you don't like? [3]

62. Does the character at any point espouse your views on relationships, the Tok'ra, or other issues on the show? [5]

63. Does the character serve as a confidant/sounding-board for a regular or recurring character? [1]

64. Does the character become a Tok'ra or non-corporeal being like Daniel? [5]
* Is the character happier in her/his new form? [1]

65. Does the character save the day and/or another character's life? [3]
* Through magical/mystical intervention? [1]
* Through an incredible scientific breakthrough? [1]
* Through dying? [3]
* Through almost dying? [2]
* Does everyone go into mourning? [1]
* Does s/he get not-dead by the end of the story (i.e. through a Sarcophagus or Asgard intervention)? [4]
* Will s/he get not-dead in the sequel? [4]

66. Does the character join SG-1? [2]

67. Do you plan to write many more stories revolving around this character? [1]


TALLYING YOUR CHARACTER'S SCORE

Possible Points: 150 (assuming some questions are mutually exclusive) Please evaluate based on the following basic scoring scheme:

0-20: Developed character, unlikely MS.
21-40: Borderline character. Potential MS, who can go either way dependent on the author's skill.
41-60: Mary Sue/Gary Stu. Proceed with greatest caution.
61+: Reconsider your character and plot. Please.

PARTING THOUGHTS:

If you want your readers to be able to identify with the character, there are a few things to keep in mind.  Regardless of what species your new character is, at his or her most basic level the character will be human.  Humanity is integral to the character simply because you, the author, are human (at least, I assume you are).  Your audience will also (presumabley) be human, and will relate to the character on those terms.  So lose the superlatives and go for believability.  Do not make your protagonist you, only cooler, taller, thinner, smarter, from the future and able to read minds.  Instead, think about guest stars and recurring characters that have appeared on the series itself, and try learn from their successes...and their mistakes.  Remember the reactions to the last beautiful, superior being the show introduced:  Anise.  Not everything your character does can be perfect and good.  People don't work that way.  And a character who is too perfect is only going to annoy your readers.

I don't claim to be a great fic writer, just an avid reader looking for quality material. If you want to fix your high-scoring story/character, please consider the following suggestions:
*Can you tell the exact same story with just the regulars?
*Does the new character have to save the day or be such an integral part of the story? Think about how often someone other than SG-1 is featured or saves the day on the show.
*Can you use the character instead as a means of examining the reactions of the regulars (to something other than the character's demise)?
*Can you give the character a major flaw? (Being unable to sing or understand Sam's technobabble is not a major flaw. Being an SG field team member with chronic motion sickness from the Stargate could be.) *When in doubt, ask for a second opinion from your beta reader.

FINAL NOTE:

Lieutenant Mary Sue Raven from my oh-so-creatively titled parody "Mary Sue In The SGC" scored a 66 on this test. If your character receives a higher score, please let me know so I can congratulate you.

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