I presuming we all joined this spot 'cos we upendo to write, right? If so then wewe all know what I'm talking about when I say that we all upendo our main characters and sometimes want to make them the best people in the world.
B-O-R-I-N-G
Yes, we want to make our main character gets the best out of the story, since it's their story. But if they're the best people in the world it doesn't really make them believable and then the reader just doesn't care about them (which is hard to understand cos we as the writer upendo em, but unfortunantley it's true)
So here is my step-by-step guide to make sure that your character isn't a Mary Sue, because trust me, when I first started to write there were Sue's all over my story- it was the worst story in the world. Most readers want to be able to see the characters fall then come back up again- it's zaidi entertaining.
Step-by-step guide: Mary Sue's
Okay so most of wewe must be asking who Mary Sue is? She's the prettist, most intelligent, gets all the boys kinda girl who saves the day, has no flaws and every other character in your story loves her. wewe hate her already, don't you? Why? Because wewe can't relate to her (/him, it can be a boy too). wewe don't want her in your story-unless its a parody about a Mary Sue, but thats another story- she'll make the reader puke with all the rainbows and vichimbakazi surrounding her. So here's how to make sure she doesn't creep in.
Think about your main character, and answer these questions.
1.What's her name? Did wewe spend a whole hour/day (please don't say week) picking it?
Did wewe choose it for the meaning?
2.Describe her.
3.Does she solve all the problems without any help at all? What does she get for solving these problems?
4.Does she have any enemies?
Okay.Done? Lets see what your majibu mean...
1. Her name? Why it's Princess. (sorry if this is someones name and they do have a genuine reason for picking it) But if wewe chose this name just because it means Princess, au wewe have another name that means Princess au loved one au anything that relates to what your character is like, then think about changing it-it's a bit vain/too much. If not and wewe answered no to the other two maswali then well done, that's one of the criteria out of the way.
Note: My first characters name was Sadie which means Princess- don't worry,we all fall into the same traps.
2. Does she look zaidi beautiful than a model, even without any make-up and even though she's just a normal human being? We all have flaws, even sparkely Wanyonya damu do-Rosalie anyone?
Like I alisema above about Rosalie, if your character does look like a model and it's not a side effect of being a vampire/werewolf/witch/wizard/any other mythical being, then wewe can usually balance them out kwa making them really mean, au stupid- but that only really works for minor characters most of them time. wewe want your main character to be relatable. Although that isn't always the case- take Blart: the boy who didn't want to save the world, he's ugly, stupid and mean, but nobody can relate to him that much. Saying that the book is a kinda parody about wizards being stupid and knights being far from noble. Anyway, I'm straying away from the point...
3. Everybody needs help, as nobody can be right all the time- it's part of being human, and if your character is relatable then she's going to have to make a mistake sometime au other.
And I hope they don't have everybody worshipping them for solving it- the villan at least is going to hate her.
4. Okay so a villan is an enemy. But I'm sure there are people in your life that don't like wewe (hate/enemy is a strong word). And if she is a Mary Sue, then in real life people are gonna dislike her for going out with a boy they like, au getting the highest marks in the test when she didn't revise at all. Everybody has people that upendo 'em and hate 'em, same for your character.
I think that if wewe try and fix these points your character should be zaidi believable- they worked for me. Of course your character could already be perfectly fine.
I'm not an expert at writing, and everybody's stories are different, so these points won't work for every character. But I just thought I'd pass on what I've learnt from other young writers cos they really help. I mean, can wewe name a Mary Sue in your life?
If this didn't help wewe can always take a Mary Sue litmus test. I recommend link
B-O-R-I-N-G
Yes, we want to make our main character gets the best out of the story, since it's their story. But if they're the best people in the world it doesn't really make them believable and then the reader just doesn't care about them (which is hard to understand cos we as the writer upendo em, but unfortunantley it's true)
So here is my step-by-step guide to make sure that your character isn't a Mary Sue, because trust me, when I first started to write there were Sue's all over my story- it was the worst story in the world. Most readers want to be able to see the characters fall then come back up again- it's zaidi entertaining.
Step-by-step guide: Mary Sue's
Okay so most of wewe must be asking who Mary Sue is? She's the prettist, most intelligent, gets all the boys kinda girl who saves the day, has no flaws and every other character in your story loves her. wewe hate her already, don't you? Why? Because wewe can't relate to her (/him, it can be a boy too). wewe don't want her in your story-unless its a parody about a Mary Sue, but thats another story- she'll make the reader puke with all the rainbows and vichimbakazi surrounding her. So here's how to make sure she doesn't creep in.
Think about your main character, and answer these questions.
1.What's her name? Did wewe spend a whole hour/day (please don't say week) picking it?
Did wewe choose it for the meaning?
2.Describe her.
3.Does she solve all the problems without any help at all? What does she get for solving these problems?
4.Does she have any enemies?
Okay.Done? Lets see what your majibu mean...
1. Her name? Why it's Princess. (sorry if this is someones name and they do have a genuine reason for picking it) But if wewe chose this name just because it means Princess, au wewe have another name that means Princess au loved one au anything that relates to what your character is like, then think about changing it-it's a bit vain/too much. If not and wewe answered no to the other two maswali then well done, that's one of the criteria out of the way.
Note: My first characters name was Sadie which means Princess- don't worry,we all fall into the same traps.
2. Does she look zaidi beautiful than a model, even without any make-up and even though she's just a normal human being? We all have flaws, even sparkely Wanyonya damu do-Rosalie anyone?
Like I alisema above about Rosalie, if your character does look like a model and it's not a side effect of being a vampire/werewolf/witch/wizard/any other mythical being, then wewe can usually balance them out kwa making them really mean, au stupid- but that only really works for minor characters most of them time. wewe want your main character to be relatable. Although that isn't always the case- take Blart: the boy who didn't want to save the world, he's ugly, stupid and mean, but nobody can relate to him that much. Saying that the book is a kinda parody about wizards being stupid and knights being far from noble. Anyway, I'm straying away from the point...
3. Everybody needs help, as nobody can be right all the time- it's part of being human, and if your character is relatable then she's going to have to make a mistake sometime au other.
And I hope they don't have everybody worshipping them for solving it- the villan at least is going to hate her.
4. Okay so a villan is an enemy. But I'm sure there are people in your life that don't like wewe (hate/enemy is a strong word). And if she is a Mary Sue, then in real life people are gonna dislike her for going out with a boy they like, au getting the highest marks in the test when she didn't revise at all. Everybody has people that upendo 'em and hate 'em, same for your character.
I think that if wewe try and fix these points your character should be zaidi believable- they worked for me. Of course your character could already be perfectly fine.
I'm not an expert at writing, and everybody's stories are different, so these points won't work for every character. But I just thought I'd pass on what I've learnt from other young writers cos they really help. I mean, can wewe name a Mary Sue in your life?
If this didn't help wewe can always take a Mary Sue litmus test. I recommend link
"It's nice here. I don't know many people though..." Victor brushed his hair back, smiling again. "Well, kwa tomorrow, all of the kids at school will wanna be your friend." "Oh..." Jade turned slightly to see the raven haired boy deep in thought. "What is it?" "Hn? Oh, it's nothing. Oh, we're here." The blonde looked up ahead and saw her house. "Really? Cause my house is right there." She pointed, and Victor burst out laughing. "Haha-I live right inayofuata to wewe then..." The blonde looked at the house inayofuata to hers. It seemed normal. A little old fashioned, but definitely normal. "Cool! Well, I'll see wewe tomorrow then?" "Yeah..." The onyx eyed boy took Jade's hand, kissed it lightly, then walked off. "What was that?"
Jade Adams was making her way nyumbani when she saw him. The dark haired kid everyone had been talking about earlier today was walking in the same direction she was. "Hey! You're the new kid in school right?" "Hn?" The boy turned around to face Jade, making her moyo skip a beat. He had to be one of the most strikingly beautiful people she had ever seen. He was pale, with onyx colored eyes, and jet black hair that hung over his eyes slightly. "H-hi. I'm Jade..." the poor girl was at a loss for words when he flashed his dazzling smile at her. "Hey, I'm Victor." She blushed slightly and readjusted her Slipknot tee over her black skinny jeans. "Soo... what road do wewe turn onto to get home?" "I turn onto Salem road, what about you?" Victor looked over at her again, scratching his head awkwardly. "Me too! Wanna walk nyumbani together?" "Sure!" The blonde girl started walking ahead, leaving Victor o follow. "So, how do wewe like it here?"
Memories,
Confusion,
So many thoughts,
The end is near,
The darkness coming,
Now its here,
The onyesha is over,
The lights are off,
We now say goodnight,
Goodbye,
As we begin 2 open the new chapter
It hurts at first,
Will the changes be extreme?
Please, just tell me,
This was only a dream,
I want to go back,
To relive this again,
This high point in life,
It can't end.
The stage lights dimmed,
The leaving spoke,
With happy faces on,
But tears in their eyes,
This onyesha is over,
Now go home.
Confusion,
So many thoughts,
The end is near,
The darkness coming,
Now its here,
The onyesha is over,
The lights are off,
We now say goodnight,
Goodbye,
As we begin 2 open the new chapter
It hurts at first,
Will the changes be extreme?
Please, just tell me,
This was only a dream,
I want to go back,
To relive this again,
This high point in life,
It can't end.
The stage lights dimmed,
The leaving spoke,
With happy faces on,
But tears in their eyes,
This onyesha is over,
Now go home.
She fell to the floor and wept, and the jar shook
The siku ended on a cold note for the cold night
He had her moyo sealed in a jar, fragile and trapped
Until he had his moment and let go
With little strength, she had saved it and ran
She had ran until the darkness was unbearable,
As she wept, the jar shivered in her arms
Her dark blue eyes were drenched
And her mind was a dark, narrow corridor.
Her heat prolonged in entrapment,
Torturing her unknowingly with each eternity-like moment.
Finally, she ceased her overwhelming emotions,
Now silent and pondering
Distracted, the jar fell, and shattered at her feet
He’s gone. He’s gone! The words danced in her mind.
Her moyo was free, and she was free
She got to her feet, no longer stumbling
And the shattered jar crunched under her feet
There was no zaidi pain.
~~~~~~~~
...Yeah, I know it kinda sucks. Like I said, first attempt. :/
The siku ended on a cold note for the cold night
He had her moyo sealed in a jar, fragile and trapped
Until he had his moment and let go
With little strength, she had saved it and ran
She had ran until the darkness was unbearable,
As she wept, the jar shivered in her arms
Her dark blue eyes were drenched
And her mind was a dark, narrow corridor.
Her heat prolonged in entrapment,
Torturing her unknowingly with each eternity-like moment.
Finally, she ceased her overwhelming emotions,
Now silent and pondering
Distracted, the jar fell, and shattered at her feet
He’s gone. He’s gone! The words danced in her mind.
Her moyo was free, and she was free
She got to her feet, no longer stumbling
And the shattered jar crunched under her feet
There was no zaidi pain.
~~~~~~~~
...Yeah, I know it kinda sucks. Like I said, first attempt. :/
Ok, so I just want to write a little summary to my story that I want to write called A Place of Our Own I'm basically uandishi this to see if people will like it, and if they do, I'll write more. :)
So anyways, it's about a Hollie, 17 mwaka old girl who has an alcoholic mother and a step father who abuses her as well as her 12 mwaka old sister, Amy. Hollie's been in a 3 mwaka on/off relationship with a heroin addicted boyfriend, Danny. When a close call puts Danny in the hospital, he promises Hollie that he'll quit and they'll find a better life. This causes Hollie to realize that she needs to leave nyumbani and find help herself.
So yeah, if wewe liked this, please maoni and there WILL be more. Thanks. :)
So anyways, it's about a Hollie, 17 mwaka old girl who has an alcoholic mother and a step father who abuses her as well as her 12 mwaka old sister, Amy. Hollie's been in a 3 mwaka on/off relationship with a heroin addicted boyfriend, Danny. When a close call puts Danny in the hospital, he promises Hollie that he'll quit and they'll find a better life. This causes Hollie to realize that she needs to leave nyumbani and find help herself.
So yeah, if wewe liked this, please maoni and there WILL be more. Thanks. :)
