Total points: 13300

This section is devoted to the name of your character. It is one of the sections where you do not have to think about it that much, just a yes or no. You can answer honestly here and not split hairs to avoid points. The section is important because if you explain the story in a summary and readers see it is a name like one of the following questions, the will immediately label it Mary Sue and leave. They won’t read it, even if the character itself is not a Sue, simply the name. So, as you can see, the name really is a crucial part of a character. In order to get the good reviews we know you want, you need the readers first.

1. Is the main character you, your boyfriend, your best friend, your sister, brother, mother, father, any other relation, or is the main character your idea of the perfect boyfriend and/or girlfriend, perfect person in general, but not relation, sister, brother, mother, father, or any other relation that you want? (+10000)

Put your pencil down and step away from your desk. You can stop now. No need to waste any more time on this test when you could be working on a new character.

2. Is the character named in any way after you or someone else you know? (+1000)

This is high because it is the typical “self-insertion” starting point. Mary Sues are classified as self-insertions of the author to a very annoying extent, so starting it out with your name, nickname, internet name, or anything like that is a big no-no. You are creative, come on! We know you can think of something other than your own name. And even if you didn’t do it because the character is you in a way, it screams to a lot of readers that you are a Sue even if you are not. The majority of the time, if readers see that the name of you character is the same as your penname, they won’t even look at it. It is dangerous, so don’t do it. Just don’t. NO EXCEPTIONS. You do this, you’re Sued.

3. Is the name a cute, cuddly name (Adora, Sparkles)? (+50)

We are very sorry, but no one likes names like Puffy and Sparkles and Yum-Yum—mostly because no one really has names like that. Those are baby nicknames. And whenever your character is named this, they are usually just like the name in the sense they are rather childish and annoying.

4. Is the name an omnipotent or powerful word (Raven, Aphrodite)? (+100)

Omnipotent names are out of the question because the instant you start reading, you know that the character is in some way going to upstage the canon characters. People don’t like this at all. Your character is supposed to be as if it were part of canon, not FANON.

5. Is the name a glamorous or hippy-ish word (Rhapsody, Sapphire)? (+50)

And the 60s ended quite a long time ago. Moonbeam and Serenity are rather ridiculous, and it’s usually best NOT to name your character after her birthstone—neither of which would happen in real canon. Name them regular names—Bob, Sally, John, or Anne. Stick to regular names, kids.

6. Is the name taken from an already existing fictional, legendary, historical, mythological, or otherwise pre-existing character (Calypso, Hellsing)? (+100)

It’s obvious why you should not do this. If they’re old, obvious, and well-known names of gods and such, it’s not very creative and it’s rather silly. If they’re modern fictional characters, it’s plagiarism. Enough said.

7. Is the name, when translated, something of great significance or just something silly, whether the translation be real or fake (Majandra = Daughter of Darkness, Griffe-Corbeau = Ravenclaw)? (+100)

While some names DO mean something when translated, you should not give them direct translations. That’s rather silly—especially to give a minor character a name that means “Beater” in French if he’s a beater on the team, or give someone a name that means “Ravenclaw” in Portuguese if they’re a Ravenclaw. And making up a fake translation is just silly—don’t name a character something along the lines of Yahagrataba and say it means “Lord Voldemort’s Destroyer,” because it very obviously does not. Also, make sure they have at least some minor purpose in the fic—don’t make pointless insertions strictly for your amusement.

8. Is it the name of an already existing person, i.e., your heart-throb (Depp, Bloom)? (+100)

Err…no. This is almost a sure sign that your character is a Sue, especially if she’s the stunningly beautiful wife of Orli Bloom.

And no, it isn’t cute to name your character after one of the actors in the HP movies, especially when it implies your favorite relationship—Emma Radcliffe has been seen more times than we care to count. Leave the real people alone—they don’t deserve that sort of treatment.

9. Is it something just plain weird and/or obviously made-up (Paneknofret, Noxlumi)? (+100)

We do understand that in J.K.’s world, which is an only slightly skewed take on the real world, there are some unique and unusual names in the wizarding world. But don’t go overboard—and don’t do it at all if your character is Muggle-born and therefore was not born a part of said wizarding world. There are lots of real names in our world to choose from. Enjoy!

10. Is it an unusual/odd spelling of a normal name (B’randii, Brttnii)? (+100)

Kind of obvious why you need to avoid these. They’re just downright…ugly. And confusing. You are taking a name and twisting it to make your character seem unique when you do this—when in reality, you’re just being like every other Sue out there. You may think you aren’t, but that is what it is. We are Mervin and Mrs. Hyde. If we wanted to be unique and special, we would not have rewritten our names to spell mUeRvV’iNe and MiSuzHyyDDe. No.

11. Is it an unusual/odd spelling of anything relating to any of the previous questions? (Munlite, Saffire)? (+100)

Ahdoorah is just as annoying as Adora, if not more so. Don’t do that.

12. Did you spend a long time looking for the perfect name and spelling? (+50) *Note—names whose meanings are meant to reflect your character’s attributes (Remus Lupin the werewolf) do not count, just so long as you did not spend over an hour searching

This one isn’t as serious strictly because sometimes you want to devote a lot of time to your character. And if it’s a character that has some kind of mythological background or is symbolic of something, go ahead! That is a big part of J.K.’s universe. Just don’t spend ridiculous amounts of time—that is a sign of an impending love affair with your character, or the start of a long and heinously twisted plot that is going to drive your readers up the wall. You’ve got the Internet, encyclopedias, libraries, and all sorts of stuff you from which can look them up. It shouldn’t take you that long to find the right mythological character or historical figure. But for all others…well, usually when it takes that long for a normal name, it’s reserved for people who are looking for a name for their future child.

13. Is your character named/nicknamed Kit or Cat/Kat (Yes, the name “Kitty” counts as well)? (+300)

This has got to be the most overused, dry, cliché, worn-out, and Mary Sue name out there. It doesn’t matter who or what the character is or what fandom she is supposed to be a part of—chances are, she’ll be a Mary Sue.

14. Does the character have multiple names (more than the usual first, middle, and last; nicknames and titles do count)? (+100)

Her Royal Majesty Sabrina Anna Yvonne Henrietta Blanche Regan “Spike” “Angel” “Pathological” Anderson, Silverblood Sorceress of the Fyre MMCXXVII. We think that says enough.

15. Does your character have titles implying royalty (Her Royal Majesty; Princess; Queen; etc.)? (+200)

This is just stupid. There is no royalty in the Wizarding world. That is established canon. Don’t do this.

16. Does your character have a title implying special powers or omniscience (Sorceress of Fire; Bearer of Ice; etc.)? (+300)

This is even worse than a previous. All that sort of title does is play up how wonderful your character is an also gives your character an opportunity to say her full name and dazzle everyone with her rare abilities and magic with just her name. Avoid both of these at all costs. In fact, the only titles you should use are roman numerals.

17. Does the character have constant jokes (Tom Swifties) made about their name(s) because of their format or full name or nickname (We do not appreciate fifty million Sirius Lee and Sirius Orion Black [S.O.B.] jokes.)? (+50)

The man is dead, have some respect!!! Anyway, your character…we are sorry, but if your character is named Frank N. Stein and everyone finds this hilarious no matter how many times you repeat…it’s just not funny. Leave it alone. One joke is fine. Derivation of a nickname because of mispronunciation—fine. All others—not so fine.

18. Do all of the canon characters think that your character’s name is so cool? (+100)

This is classic Mary Sue self-insertion. We all wish that everyone thought that everything about us was just the living end, but we have to face that truth—they don’t. So just because you wish that everyone thought that about you, and because you think that your character is that cool, don’t make the reader suffer though descriptions of how everyone in your story thinks that the character is that cool. It’s nothing more that calling attention to your character and praising her. It gets old, it gets irritating, and every Mary Sue in the book does it.

19. Did you name the character this name because you thought it is an awesome name and/or want to change your name to it? (+100)

Refer to the first question. While there is no harm is choosing a name that you like, this is where is crosses the line into self-insertion. You are not the character. Got it?

20. Have you considered naming your pet this? (+100)

Naming your pet after a fanon character is kinda eerie. It’s some sort of disturbing attempt to make yourself part of the plot, or something.

21. Have you already named your pet this? (+200)

See the previous question, only add in “Trying to bring out your character into a living being is not working.”

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