*WARNING: Long discussion ahead.

Hey peeps, before you read the story I need to address this issue. Sorry, but I had to turn this into two chapters because of this discussion. You'll read the story in the second chapter, however I have to discuss this since I doubt anyone would read this in the forums.

I've recently encountered some fanfictions and read all the reviews, including the forum's topics. Of course, I think you all know where this lead to… Oc's- though it's not what you think, I'm not Oc bashing or anything I just want to clear this little situation up.

I'm thinking it might be my fault for starting this 'Anti-Oc' mind-set, and if I did cause this problem then I apologize for my irrational doing and thinking, because I was the first one on the forum with the topic of 'Why There Are So Many Mary-Sues?' which probably encourage more users to discuss typical Gerald-Sue.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CREATING AN OC! I REPEAT! THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CREATING AN OC!

How it is executed can determine your Original Character's out-look and- by my highest assumption, receive a decent *rarereputation or a regular Mary-Sue status while some is simply underdeveloped.

What is an underdeveloped character?

Characters whose behavior is completely predictable can seem underdeveloped - flat, shallow or stereotypical. A flat character is a minor character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story.

Now, I found few Oc stories that have underdeveloped characters- but they aren't Mary-Sue, just need some realistic format and revilements in the character, yet they're pointed as 'Mary-Sue' and I disagree with that. Read reviews on Oc themed fanfics and half of the reviews addressed as your character as 'Mary-Sue.' Okay, what makes them Mary-Sue? And what is a Mary-Sue?

[Sorry, but I had to copy and paste this piece from a website ^^;]

A Mary Sue is a character in a work of fiction who exists primarily for the purpose of wish-fulfillment on the part of the author. She plays a prominent role in the work, but she is notably devoid of flaws or a complex personality, and she usually represents the pinnacle of idealized perfection. All of the other characters love Mary Sue, because she is extraordinarily helpful, talented, beautiful, or unusual, and she often drives readers crazy because she is one-dimensional and too idealized to be realistic. Mary Sue can be a uniquely frustrating character. Her lack of depth and idealized perfection make her rather uninteresting, and sometimes so implausible that she ruins the story.

The genre of fan fiction is notorious for its Mary Sues, and the sentiment is certainly understandable; of course, fans would want to imagine themselves in the fictional worlds they enjoy so much.

Often I see are Mary-Sues, though, that doesn't mean you should stop writing because of that! I have made some shitty Oc's, but I learn and I try to recreate them to characters that are more realistic.

The characters are immediately paired with the famous Asian; Glitch, as their boyfriend. It doesn't matter when, where, how or why all I know is they will predictably be together in the end. There is nothing wrong having Glitch as your boyfriend- just give a good story why they should be together and think of him as a real person that your character likes and don't use dancing to seduce him. I mean, think of your character in real life- would she act like this or that? Would Glitch like her only as a friend or a simple crush that can fade?

There is nothing wrong with underdeveloped characterization! You're still learning (I think?) and you have the chance to improve. However, I personally suggest some originality to the mix because seeing the same old thing in many fanfics with its common traits of OC's be constantly paired with Glitch is tiresome to your readers and thus label your Oc as a Mary-Sue- or what I call a Gerald-Sue, I have been guilty of that as well.

For prime example: Tora Blitz. In my story 'Glitch and Mary-Sue fell in luv!' she is a tomboy, an orphan nobody cares about, an unexplained skilled dancer who is the same age and height as Glitch and he have the unrealistic instant attraction towards her for reasons that not interesting and the main plot is them being together. I've been reading that a lot in Oc fanfics, and what I'm saying is to simply do something out of the box, out of the ordinary. I know that this is Dance Central and the whole thing is about dancing but… have the character older and taller, maybe overweight and she likes hillbilly dancing or rock banging.

''Glitch likes her already? Mary-Sue''

''No parents? Mary-Sue.''

''Why are they blushing around eachother so much? Mary-Sue.''

Mary-Sue Mary-Sue Mary-Sue Mary-Sue Mary-Sue Mary-Sue…

STOP. JUST STOP.

Neither do I like throwing the 'Mary-Sue' label around everytime I see a female character that not the highest quality. That too I've been seeing and I'm agitated that amateur writers stopped writing because their underdeveloped character's been ridiculously bashed with anti-Oc mindset users.

The character can blush around Glitch, just needs to be used in a real-life like way. Your character has potential and you need to utilize that potential and not abuse it. Okay sure, she has purple hair or eyes! Though why? In some sort of rebellion of her parents or her mom/dad is a hair styler? Are those purple contacts she wears? Is she gothic or an extreme wapanese geek? Did she have some chronic eye disease that made her eye color unusual?

What is an Original character?

Many authors explore facets of themselves in their work, probing into their flaws, weaknesses, and history to strengthen a piece of fiction and make it more engaging. Readers find these characters interesting because they are realistic, flawed, and accessible, making the reader feel a deeper connection with the story.

I'm not bashing here, I just want to point this out. Why does she have to be paired with Glitch? Why not Obilo? He's asian, let her have a crush on him instead… do something that would happen in real life with these characters, you know? Because her always falling in his lap, chest or anywhere that relates with body contact really doesn't happen in real life.

Have Glitch only like her as a friend! She's depressed and all but maybe in their twenties he starts an attraction. Visa Versa, and so on.

Let's say we have a DC character name Bonnie… she moved to the city from a farm and she is a overweight, redneck, country girl. Sixteen but is short and stocky- height similar to Glitch's and has an accent with slang who loves country music. Mother-like and has two dogs, maybe an interactive family that actually is in the story than being nonexistent and saying a line or two before disappearing. Eats loads of pastries, loves pies since her mother is best at it, has best friends at her previous school.

Bonnie attracted to Mo because he reminds her of her favorite candy bar, milk chocolate. Doesn't like Aubrey because of her snootiness and outright being rude, including making in fun of her weight. Encourage people to do what they do best: dancing.

See? Bonnie's not some dancer, nor is she skinny and is a redneck. How it is executed will determine whether she is too wishy-washy or Mary-Suish. Though, look on this side! She's unique and something that you wouldn't see usually, would you? I still have yet to find some overweight, country girl on any of the fanfics on Dance Central. Actually, I barely see any pudgy Oc's.. all of em' skinny pickens…

Maybe, Glitch has a crush on Bonnie and she's not skinny, or a dancer, just a mother bonding and finds her fluffy, and likes to sleep on her pudgy belly… yeah?

Just like any other fanfiction, give your OC originality and something that make her compelling. Not to mention, why does it always have to be a she? Why not a he instead? Glitch and a male Oc can become best friends, almost like brothers.

It's not the end of the world if your character is Mary-Sue, why not start over again with a character that stands out realistically? Don't hide in shells and stop writing.

I'm not sure if anyone would take what I'm saying, but it gotten to the point when I see OC I can almost just predict what will happen and, guess what? Half of what I predicted came out true. What I call a Gerald-Sue is…

Character's that are unoriginal, bland and typical that have similar traits to other Oc's that appear too alike and predictable out comes, almost if the Oc's were twins. Generalized and regular Oc's with same history, family, and love-interest that people can predict what could happen.

Don't stop writing, practice makes perfection. Create an Oc that's an adult and a main character.

I just… I just want to see something new okay? But I'm not bashing armatures like Nazi Oc's like a few I see, add new flavor.

Again, I'm not bashing Oc's because I'm going to introduce my character in the second chapter, I think reader would like to see something unique an uncliche in a Oc that's not always paired with Glitch, ya feel me?

Alright, I'm finished now, I'll post my one-shot story in the next chapter.