What is a Mary Sue Character, and How Do I Avoid Writing One?

Welcome back to Ask Rachel, a blog column dedicated to answering your writing questions. Send your questions to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in upcoming blog posts. 

This week's student writes: 

Dear Rachel,

I've heard people talk about "Mary Sue" characters, but I'm not quite sure what that means. What exactly is a Mary Sue, and how can I make sure I don't accidentally write one?

(anonymous)

I've definitely thrown the term Mary Sue around in my posts and media content - but it can sometimes be misunderstood. Let’s break it down and explore how you can craft well-rounded, compelling characters instead.

What Is a Mary Sue?

A "Mary Sue" (or "Gary Stu" for male characters) is a character who is unrealistically perfect. They tend to lack flaws, face minimal real challenges, and often have extraordinary abilities or traits that make them universally loved within the story. These characters can feel more like wish-fulfillment than actual, believable people.

Common traits of a Mary Sue include:

• Unrealistic Perfection – They’re beautiful, talented, and always right.
• Lack of Meaningful Flaws – If they do have a flaw, it’s often something endearing rather than an actual weakness (e.g., “I’m just too kind” or “I care too much”).
• Unearned Skills or Success – They can master a skill in no time or win battles they shouldn’t logically be able to.
• Everyone Loves Them – Other characters instantly admire them, even without a clear reason.
• Plot Armor – They rarely face serious consequences for their actions.

Why Is a Mary Sue a Problem?

The biggest issue with Mary Sues is that they often make stories feel shallow or unrelatable. Readers connect with characters who struggle, grow, and evolve. If a character is too perfect, there’s no real tension or stakes—after all, if they can’t fail, why should we worry about them?

A good example of this is in Star Wars. Star Wars (and I'm like the biggest fan of Star Wars, so I'm not really criticizing it). The main characters often feel like cardboard cutouts rather than real characters. 

In a recent watch through of the sequel trilogies, my husband and I had deep discussion about how we wanted to like Rey (like - she had so much potential) but she was really vanilla and bland. A textbook Mary Sue. And I didn't connect with her the way I have with the legacy characters. 

Here are some other Mary Sues (according to the opinions of readers - remember, it's an opinion)

1. Mare Barrow (Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard): Mare starts as an ordinary girl but quickly becomes a powerful figure in a world where she shouldn’t have abilities. Some readers feel that she is too special, too quickly, and that the story bends around her rather than her growing naturally.
2. America Singer (The Selection by Kiera Cass): America is often seen as a Mary Sue because nearly every male character falls in love with her, she’s beautiful but doesn’t see it, and she rarely faces real consequences for her actions.
3. Aelin Galathynius (Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas): Aelin is skilled at almost everything—combat, magic, leadership—and is often admired by those around her. While she has flaws, some readers feel that her victories come too easily.
4. Feyre Archeron (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas): Similar to Aelin, Feyre gains immense power, is loved by nearly every male character, and faces little struggle in mastering her abilities. Though she has moments of hardship, her rapid growth and universal admiration push her toward Mary Sue territory.

Unfortunately, I agree with a lot of these. I'm a long-time fan of Sarah J. Maas, so it hurts to be so objective, but strictly speaking a lot of her characters can feel a little bit Mary Sue-like. 

How to Avoid Writing a Mary Sue

Now that we know what to watch out for, here are some ways to make sure your characters are well-developed and engaging:

Give Them Real Flaws

Instead of minor, surface-level flaws, give your character something that genuinely affects their life and choices. Maybe they struggle with self-doubt, anger, or making mistakes that cost them dearly. Real flaws create real growth.

A great example of this is Nina Zenik from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Why Nina Zenik Works as a Flawed, Compelling Character

1. Struggles with Addiction – After the events of Six of Crows, Nina battles an addiction to parem (a powerful drug that enhances her magic but is also highly destructive). This struggle deeply affects her decisions and relationships, making her arc emotionally rich.

2. Guilt and Trauma – Nina carries guilt over past mistakes, particularly concerning her role in the conflict between Grisha and their enemies. Her trauma influences her actions and motivations, making her feel real and relatable.

3. Stubbornness and Recklessness – While her confidence is a strength, it often leads her to act impulsively, putting herself and her allies in danger. She doesn’t always make the right choices, which adds depth to her character.

4. Emotional Complexity – Nina’s romantic relationships are complicated. She doesn’t just fall into perfect love; she navigates grief, loss, and emotional conflict, making her personal growth meaningful.

Make Them Earn Their Success

Skills take time to develop. If your character is great at something, show them practicing and failing before they succeed. Readers love seeing a character struggle toward greatness rather than just being naturally gifted.

A fantastic example of a female character who earns her success through struggle and perseverance is Zoya Nazyalensky from King of Scars and Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo.

Why Zoya Nazyalensky Earns Her Success

1. She Starts as Arrogant and Flawed – In earlier books (Shadow and Bone), Zoya is powerful but also prideful, dismissive, and not particularly likable. She has to grow past these flaws to become a true leader.

2. She Endures Pain and Loss – Zoya loses people she loves, experiences betrayal, and faces brutal training to improve her abilities. Her struggles shape her into someone stronger.

3. Her Power Comes at a Cost – Zoya doesn’t just wake up with god-like power. She suffers through excruciating transformation and personal sacrifices to become a formidable warrior and leader.

4. She Works Hard to Become a Leader – Unlike a typical Mary Sue who is handed leadership effortlessly, Zoya has to earn her place through experience, strategy, and proving herself to others.

Her journey feels earned because we see her fail, struggle, and persist, making her eventual triumph deeply satisfying.

Ensure They Face Real Consequences

When your character makes a mistake, let it impact them. If they break the rules, they should suffer for it. If they hurt someone, there should be fallout. This keeps tension high and makes their journey feel authentic.

A great example is Eelyn from Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young.

Why Eelyn Faces Real Consequences

1. She’s Captured by an Enemy Clan – Eelyn is a fierce warrior raised to hate a rival clan, the Riki. However, after a battle, she’s captured and taken to live among them. Her past actions and prejudices put her in serious danger, and she has to adapt to survive.

2. Her Stubbornness Almost Gets Her Killed – Eelyn is proud and refuses to back down, which leads to several life-threatening situations. She doesn’t immediately win over the people around her—she has to earn their respect.

3. She Must Reevaluate Her Beliefs – Her world is turned upside down when she learns a painful truth about her brother, whom she thought was dead. This forces her to question everything she believed about loyalty and honor, and it doesn’t come without emotional turmoil.

4. She Can’t Just Go Back to How Things Were – Even when she escapes and returns to her people, she isn’t welcomed back the same way. Her choices create permanent rifts, and she has to work hard to bridge the divide between the two clans.

Eelyn’s journey is powerful because her mistakes have lasting consequences—she doesn’t get an easy way out, and her growth is earned.

Give Them Meaningful Relationships

Not everyone should love your character right away. Some people might dislike them, misunderstand them, or have conflicting goals. Dynamic relationships add realism and depth.

A fantastic example of a female character with meaningful, dynamic relationships is Rin from The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.

Why Rin’s Relationships Feel Real and Meaningful

1. Not Everyone Likes Her – Rin is ambitious, reckless, and often makes morally questionable choices. She alienates people, burns bridges, and isn’t instantly adored. Some characters respect her, others hate her, and many fear her.

2. Her Friendships Are Complicated – Her relationship with Kitay, her closest friend, is one of deep loyalty but also constant challenge. He calls her out on her worst decisions, and their bond is tested as she becomes more ruthless.

3. Her Mentor Relationship Turns Toxic – Rin idolizes Altan at first, seeing him as a leader and savior. However, their dynamic becomes toxic as he manipulates her and feeds into her self-destructive tendencies. This adds layers to her growth and forces her to redefine her sense of self.

4. Her Romantic Relationships Are Messy – Instead of an easy love story, Rin’s romantic entanglements are filled with mistrust, power struggles, and heartbreak. This makes them feel raw and realistic rather than forced or perfect.

Rin’s relationships aren’t simple—they push her to grow, force her to confront her flaws, and have real emotional weight. This makes her story far more compelling than if everyone just instantly admired her.

Balance Strengths and Weaknesses

A strong character isn’t just someone with abilities—they also have emotional depth. Maybe they’re intelligent but socially awkward. Maybe they’re brave but reckless. Finding this balance makes them more human.

An example of where this is done really well is Inej Ghafa from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Why Inej’s Strengths and Weaknesses Feel Balanced

1. She’s Stealthy but Haunted by Trauma – Inej is an incredible spy, known as the “Wraith” for her ability to move undetected. However, her past as a trafficking survivor deeply affects her. She struggles with physical and emotional scars, making her more than just a skilled fighter.

2. She’s Fierce but Struggles with Doubt – Inej has an unwavering sense of justice, but she constantly questions her place in the world. She wants to be free and follow her own path, but she’s tied to Kaz and the Dregs, which creates internal conflict.

3. She’s Independent but Struggles with Trust – While she prides herself on her independence, she also longs for deep connections. Her relationship with Kaz is particularly complex—she refuses to settle for less than she deserves, but she also struggles with letting herself be vulnerable.

Inej is powerful, but her fears, doubts, and emotional struggles make her feel human. Readers root for her because she has to fight for her victories, both physically and emotionally.

Let Them Fail

Failure is one of the best ways to develop a character. If your protagonist wins every battle and solves every problem with ease, readers won’t be invested. Let them stumble, make mistakes, and learn from their failures.

My last example for you today is Hespera "Hess" Galdiano from The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman.

Why Hess’s Strengths and Weaknesses Feel Balanced

1. She’s Clever but Overconfident – Hess is a talented card player and strategist, using her wits to survive. However, her belief in her own cleverness sometimes leads her to miscalculate risks, putting herself and others in danger.

2. She’s Determined but Stubborn – She refuses to let anyone dictate her fate, pushing through impossible odds. But this stubbornness also makes her blind to advice and reluctant to trust others, creating tension with her allies.

3. She’s Loyal but Struggles with Morality – Hess cares deeply about the people she loves, but she’s also willing to make morally gray choices to achieve her goals. This internal struggle makes her more layered and interesting.

Hess’s strengths make her compelling, but her weaknesses give her depth. She doesn’t always make the right choices, and that’s exactly what makes her feel real.

My Final Thoughts

Mary Sues aren’t always bad—sometimes, they’re just characters who need more development. The key is to create someone who feels real. Readers don’t need perfect heroes; they need characters they can root for, flaws and all.

Happy writing!

Rachel