Amen to the overuse of the term Mary Sue. I never have quite understand the general disdain for the introduction of a original female character. All fanfic is fantasy. An idealised version of what the writer would love to see happen in the fandom of their choice. So, what makes the Mary Sue invalid? If a story is written well and avoids the maudlin, then why can't Mary Sue have her place?
I'd say that a Mary Sue (in the true, original sense of the word, not the inflationary overuse we've come to see where it's applied to any female character fans might not like) is so much the focus of a story that she distorts the other characters to the point of becoming unrecognizable. And in fic one usually wants to read about the canon characters.
Though I'd say even to that are exceptions and true Mary Sue fic has an audience - I'd guess mostly the teenage crowd. Stephen Ratliff's Marissa Picard serious had one of the most blatant Sues ever - man, that girl was amazing, she could do anything short of sparkle - but he had quite a fan following. And while I giggled over the Mistings of his fic until coke came out of my nose, I could still see how the story could work for the kid/young adult readers.
no subject
I'd say that a Mary Sue (in the true, original sense of the word, not the inflationary overuse we've come to see where it's applied to any female character fans might not like) is so much the focus of a story that she distorts the other characters to the point of becoming unrecognizable. And in fic one usually wants to read about the canon characters.
Though I'd say even to that are exceptions and true Mary Sue fic has an audience - I'd guess mostly the teenage crowd. Stephen Ratliff's Marissa Picard serious had one of the most blatant Sues ever - man, that girl was amazing, she could do anything short of sparkle - but he had quite a fan following. And while I giggled over the Mistings of his fic until coke came out of my nose, I could still see how the story could work for the kid/young adult readers.