The Monday Poll - Mary Sue and Gary Stu

[pjthompson]

Inspired by this post by Paperback Writer and discussions that arose from it.

For a definition of Mary Sue (and her male equivalent Gary Stu), you can go here.


[Poll #907225]

What do you think of Mary Sue stories?

View Answers
I think they should be forever stamped out--stamped, stamped, stamped!
1(4.8%)
They are a natural part of the evolutionary growth of every fledgling writer, but hopefully we move on from them.
0(0.0%)
A little Mary Sue never hurt any story, as long as it doesn't pervert story values and become the dominant theme.
2(9.5%)
Any time a writer inserts even a small amount of wish fulfillment into a story, it's Mary Sueism.
0(0.0%)
Every writer slips wish fulfillment into their stories, it's just a matter of how skillfully they cover their tracks.
2(9.5%)
Mary Sue sucks, but Gary Stu's okay.
0(0.0%)
Trying too hard to avoid Mary Sue can lead to stories just as sterile as Mary Sue stories.
0(0.0%)
You can never try too hard to avoid Mary Sue.
0(0.0%)
I knew Mary Sue. Mary Sue was a friend of mine. You're no Mary Sue.
0(0.0%)
Last time I heard, she was dating Captain Jack Sparrow.
0(0.0%)
Mary Sue is so ticky.
0(0.0%)
Other (insert yourself in the comments)
0(0.0%)
Special bonus question: would you rather write a story that was loved, or one that was admired? (Yes, I know it's possible to do both, but no waffling allowed on this one.)

View Answers
Loved
17(81.0%)
Admired
2(9.5%)
Decline to ticky.
1(4.8%)