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Post by Ella on Jul 11, 2005 19:47:06 GMT -6
Hey, all. I want to put together a Mary Sue Litmus Test for the Hanson fandom. I've seen variations of the test in tons of other fan fiction genres (notably LOTR), and they're hilarious and fun. But I need to make the test Hanson-specific, so that involves gathering up every Hanfic and Original Character cliche. I know quite a few of them (girl moves next door to Hanson, anyone? haha), but I'd like to hear what you all have to say. What are the things about some Hanson stories and original characters that make you want to roll your eyes or tear out your hair in frustration? Oh, and for those who don't know... you can read about what exactly a Mary Sue is here. And to view an example of a MSLT, check out the G-rated Lord of the Rings test. ;D
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Post by diosa on Jul 11, 2005 21:25:13 GMT -6
Ella, that's a great idea! That sounds like so much fun! I think after we have a list or whatnot we should have a "which Mary Sue are you" quiz like on the page you linked. lol or maybe not.
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Post by Eve on Jul 11, 2005 23:05:29 GMT -6
*Girls who test out each Hanson (with the exception of So there was this boy..that is a classic that is allowed to do that becacuse well..it does it best)
*I hate when there are stories in which the main female character always is being defended by the heoric Hanson when an aggressive ex boyfriend attacks the girl
*Hanson fans love for the female's parents to be workaholics
*Diana and the leading female character always seem to be in love themselves.
*No matter how old Jessica gets, she always seems to hang out with the little Hanson's in the story playing barbies. Slight exaggeration...
*The story always ends with a dramatic break up followed by a happily ever after.
*There are a lot of I love you's in Hanfic sex- which is odd when the leading Hanson and leading female have hardly spent time together.
*Best friend becomes a lover.
*The leading female is almost always traumatized in some way.
*Taylor's eyes cannot be described enough in hanfic. I am equally guilty.
I have tried very hard to avoid writing a mary-jane. They drive me absolutely nuts. I hate the stereotypical female character- especially when she's narrating. She's always ten times more dramatic when she's narrating.
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Post by Rhoda on Jul 12, 2005 13:20:15 GMT -6
Uggghh - happens way too much. That's my biggest peeve.
*raises hand* Guilty. Although I think I've only done that like twice....
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Post by Miriam on Jul 12, 2005 14:44:33 GMT -6
I think you could steal these from the LOTR one:
134. Do you really like your character? 135. And think everybody else should like her too? 136. And get really defensive when anyone suggests she's a Mary Sue? 137. So defensive that you can't resist making a personal attack on the reviewer? 138. And suggesting that the only reason s/he doesn't like your story is because you're adored by all and s/he isn't? 139. And it doesn't seem strange to you that you count your character's adoration by Legolas/Aragorn/Boromir(or Zac/Taylor/Isaac) as you being adored?
140. Do you ever pretend, just to yourself, that you are the character, with the same strengths and abilities? 141. Do you ever pretend to other people that you are the character, with the same strengths and abilities? 142. If the answer to question 141 is "yes," is it your medication time yet?
And I'd like to add this: Zac/Taylor/Isaac takes girl to MOE house, posibly goes to treehouse/old bedroom, and the really terrible - Hanson carves girls name in tree supporting the treehouse.
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Post by Ella on Jul 12, 2005 18:41:59 GMT -6
Thanks, guys. Keep 'em coming. And Miriam, I fully intend to borrow from some of the other Mary Sue tests (with full credit, of course). Because there are just some things that are universal from fandom to fandom. The treehouse thing cracked me up, by the way. hehe.
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Post by Miriam on Jul 13, 2005 0:26:44 GMT -6
glad you liked it!
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Post by Stephanie on Jul 13, 2005 7:26:05 GMT -6
*Girls who test out each Hanson (with the exception of So there was this boy..that is a classic that is allowed to do that becacuse well..it does it best) Aw man, I swear that mine isn't a Mary Sue...
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Post by krystal on Jul 13, 2005 7:48:33 GMT -6
Here's the thing--Mary Sue isn't necessarilly a bad thing. A well written Mary Sue is a wonder to behold.
In an Isaac or Zac story, Mary Sue MUST be able to withstand the charms of Taylor, unscathed. He will usually turn into a snot after that.
Mary Sue quite often is an orphan with plenty of money.
Mary Sue usually gets into some sort of accident whereas Isaac, Taylor or Zac suddenly realize how much she means to them. The effects of the accident disappear within a day or two--she'd never have a limp or a scar afterward.
She is usually overly thin, even though she can eat whatever she wants. It's a mystery to her.
The entire Hanson family (except Taylor) usually falls in love with her (see snotty Taylor above)
Long hair and sparkling (usually green) eyes is a must.
The writers of these stories quite often tell you more about what the character is wearing than what she is thinking.
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eve
Middle of Nowhere
Posts: 79
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Post by eve on Jul 13, 2005 13:31:30 GMT -6
rofl. YES!
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eve
Middle of Nowhere
Posts: 79
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Post by eve on Jul 13, 2005 13:31:56 GMT -6
whoops. i mean to quote THIS and say: "rofl, yes!"
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Post by JRobinson on Jul 15, 2005 7:36:01 GMT -6
Ohhh, my goodness. Then I must be the queen of the Mary Sue. JR is guilty of: Allowing the main female character to hook up with more than one Hanson at a time (ie. Story X). Allowing the main female character to be defended by a Hanson from her aggressive boyfriend/husband (ie. Every Time I Stand For You). Allowing the main female character and one or more Hanson's to have a dramatic break up and then live happily ever after (ie. Story X and just about everything else I ever wrote! ). Using those three little words: I Love You. (these are Mary Sue's, remember?!). Allowing the main female character to fall in love with her best-Hanson friend (ie. Story X...again). Allowing the main female character to have an accident, ensuring that the Hanson of her choice will realize how much he loves her (ie. oh gosh...Story X ). Allowing the main female character to eat whatever she wants and remain gorgeously thin (ie. you guessed it! ;D ). Main female character has green eyes (ie. too many stories to name). Describes Taylor's eyes as "cerulean blue" (ahem - guilty as charged ). Whew, that was fun. ;D All I can safely say is that I continue(d) to write "Mary Sue's" because some people really do love them, and I am just one big sappy mess when it comes to the Hanson boys. Er, men!
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Post by Barbara on Jul 15, 2005 16:58:16 GMT -6
J, somehow I highly doubt anyone was bothered by your Mary Sues (not that I think they were Mary Sues). You're stories were so much fun! I love every one of them.
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Post by Ella on Jul 15, 2005 21:51:17 GMT -6
Ohhh, my goodness. Then I must be the queen of the Mary Sue. Hey, like Krystal said, a 'Mary Sue' isn't always a bad thing! I myself like plenty of well-written 'Sue' stories -- Anna from My Mother's Obsession with Pies was a grade-A Mary Sue, but man, she was a great character. Blaire in Emotion Sickness is leaning towards the MS side, and that's one of my all-time favorite Hanfics. And Alley, my OFC in Catapult, is definitely going to fail this test.
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Post by krystal on Jul 16, 2005 6:09:10 GMT -6
Maybe what we really need to know is--what ISN'T a Mary Sue? I mean, what kind of girl wouldn't be? Would she have to be pug ugly? Yeah, Isaac's gonna fall for her! (or his brothers for that matter) Does she have to be dumb? Mary Sues are always clever little minxes! Does she have to live at home with Mommy and Daddy? Booooooooring!
Really--I think Mary Sue has more to do with plot, than character. The moving in next door, or managing somehow to end up touring with them--those are the roll-your-eyes things, at least for me! Yet, I still read those too!
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