Does your protagonist always have the perfect answer, never make mistakes, or win without breaking a sweat? You may have a problem—and that problem is a Mary Sue.

A perfect character might sound appealing in theory, but in practice, they’re the quickest way to lose your readers. Think about it: Nobody wants to follow a hero who always gets it right, faces zero obstacles, and sails through a story unscathed. It’s unrealistic and, worst of all, disengaging. Readers crave characters they can relate to, root for, and worry about—and that means they need to be flawed, layered, and oh so human.

What Is a Mary Sue?

A Mary Sue (Gary Stu for male characters) is a character who is unrealistically good at everything. They’re loved by all, endlessly competent, and somehow immune to the consequences of their actions. These characters rarely face genuine struggles, and even when they do, they’re likely to triumph with minimal effort or sacrifice.

On the surface, it might seem harmless—what’s wrong with writing a super-capable character? There’s a catch to all that perfectionism: Mary Sues lack depth, vulnerability, and meaningful development. They’re flat, predictable., forgettable. Worse, they’re often seen as a hallmark of inexperienced writing because they signal a fundamental misunderstanding of how to build tension and create stakes.

If everything comes easy to your protagonist, your readers will check out. Fast. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered.

Does a Mary Sue or Gary Stu Really Matter?

The heart of any good story lies in conflict and growth. A Mary Sue or Gary Stu eliminates both. Without internal struggles or realistic flaws, your protagonist has no arc—no meaningful journey that drives the plot forward.

Mary Sues are also emblematic of a deeper fear many newer writers have: the fear of making their characters unlikable. It’s tempting to keep them flawless to ensure readers love them, but here’s the truth: Perfect is boring. What’s interesting, engaging, and lovable is seeing characters grapple with their imperfections, fail, and rise again. It’s their humanity that wins us over, not their perfection.

The Danger of the Perfect Character

It’s simple. Friction—that irresistible pull of tension—is what keeps readers hooked. And friction comes from flaws. A character’s weaknesses and struggles introduce stakes. They create the space for drama, growth, and genuine surprises. Without these elements, your story falls flat.

Think about some of the most beloved characters in modern fiction. Harry Potter’s self-doubt and temper often get him into trouble. Katniss Everdeen’s stoicism can alienate her from those trying to connect with her. Frodo Baggins’s burden of the Ring warps his mind and isolates him from his closest friends. These imperfections—these cracks—let us see ourselves in them. And it’s their struggle to overcome those flaws that makes their journeys unforgettable.

Perfect characters can’t create that friction. They don’t make mistakes or face consequences, and as a result, the narrative loses its tension and momentum. Readers have no reason to invest emotionally in a story where the protagonist always wins without breaking a sweat.

Avoiding Mary Sue Syndrome

There are no two ways about it: You can’t idolize the perfect hero as you write. Instead, embrace the messy, flawed, and painfully real parts of being human—because that’s what readers connect to. If you’re worried you’re slipping into dangerous territory, keep this in mind:

  • Watch for red flags. Is your character universally adored? Do they always know the right thing to say or do? Do they face no meaningful consequences? These are telltale signs of a Mary Sue.
  • Introduce real flaws. Give your character weaknesses that impact their relationships, decisions, or ability to achieve their goals. Flaws should feel authentic, not tacked on.
  • Show vulnerability. Let your character fail. Make their victories hard-earned, with real stakes on the line. Show how they grow through mistakes and setbacks.
  • Ask yourself, “Why?” Why is your character so good at something? Why do others react to them the way they do? Push past surface-level answers to build layered motivations and dynamics.

How to Write Flawed Characters Well

To write complex, compelling characters, you need to strike a balance between their given strengths and the internal hardships—or flaws—they must overcome. Here’s how:

  • Give them a weakness. Identify one major flaw that directly impacts your character’s relationships or goals. For example, are they overly cautious to the point of inaction? Prone to jealousy? Let that flaw play an active role in the story.
  • Make them struggle. Challenges should hit your character where it hurts most. Force them to confront their weaknesses and adapt, even if it means failure along the way. We love a comeback story.
  • Motivate them. A character’s flaws should tie back to their motivations. Maybe they’re overly ambitious because they feel they have something to prove. Maybe their temper stems from unresolved pain. Knowing the “why” makes flaws feel natural, not arbitrary.
  • Show their humanity: Even heroes need moments of doubt, vulnerability, and outright failure. Let your readers see the cracks and watch as your characters piece themselves back together.

Characters like Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows or Evelyn Hugo from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo are deeply flawed yet endlessly compelling. Their imperfections make their triumphs feel earned and their struggles impossible to look away from.

Why Embrace Imperfection?

Flawed, complex characters are the beating heart of all great stories. They stay with readers long after the final page, not because they’re perfect but because they speak to real, lived experiences that transcend the page. They remind us that imperfection is part of being human—and that struggle is what makes the journey worth taking.

A Mary Sue might be easy to write, but your readers deserve more than an easy story. They deserve a journey—so do you as an artist.

Anti–Mary Sue Exercise: Flaws and Consequences

Take some time to brainstorm three to five potential flaws you might give a character, either one you’re already writing or one you plan to write. Then list three potential consequences of those flaws.

  • Does your shy protagonist struggle to communicate effectively? That might complicate their ability to rally allies or gain others’ trust.
  • Does your levelheaded secondary character have a short fuse under pressure? What happens when they snap in a crucial moment?
  • Does your ambitious hero cut corners to achieve their goals? What happens when those shortcuts catch up to them?

Then ask yourself: What could happen next? The domino effect of flaws and their consequences is where the magic happens. Let those moments build your story, one imperfect step at a time.

Looking for More?

Brush up on your main character creation skills to avoid making Mary Sues and Gary Stus from the start with our article on building your best main character.

Whether you’re trying to find the perfect narrative POV for your book or trying to build your best main character, we’ve got you covered.

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