Wow. You people have been very supportive.
Chapter Two: Plots (and problems found within said plots)
Where Am I?
An Earth girl has fallen into Alagaesia via book/jewel/magical talisman/bright flash of light where, instead of being captured and interrogated, she gains the trust and companionship of Eragon & Co. Sometimes she may be the Only One who can kill ol' Galby. Then it is time for her to return to Earth. There are many tear-filled goodbyes and she is given numerous gifts to take back with her. Gasphorrorshock! Not like we haven't heard that one before!
Features: Earthling Sue
Problems found within: well gee, what do you think?
Can it be written with success? Funny, most of the Earthling Sues I've read have been complete parodies of everything. Occasionally it will follow the plotline. So, depending on the author's sense of humor… yes. It can be written with success.
You Traitor!
Eragon & Co. meet/find stranded in the woods a beautiful girl who remembers 'nothing' of her past. She tags along, giving moral support and encouraging Eragon to storm Galbatorix's castle. When he gets there, it is revealed that gasp! she was working for him all along! Eragon is devastated and eventually killed in action. The girl laughs at his foolishness and rules the world alongside Galby.
Features: Mary-Sue Evil, Mary-Sue Wanderer, occasionally Mary-Sue Varden
Problems found within: Its crap, and its overused. How could she keep hidden for so long without being caught? Someone must have suspected her. But no, Mary is less than perfect? Oh the horror!
Can it be written with success? Rarely, very rarely. The author must have an innate sense of plot development. It's a struggle, but it can be done.
Which Girl To Choose?
While training in Ellesmera, Eragon sees a beautiful young woman with flowing hair, even more gorgeous than Arya. Gasp! She captivates him, until he wants to do nothing more that set up a shrine in her name and worship her. Then he sees Arya! He is torn between the two: The devastatingly beautiful and kind elf or the beautiful stern princess?
Features: Mary-Sue Elven
Problems found within: WAAAY overused. Impossibly unbelievable, and overly clichéd.
Can it be written with success? Let me think…no.
You Saved My Life…
Eragon/Murtagh is trapped, Urgals on every side. He steels himself for death…but wait! Enter Mary-Sue, who kills all the Urgals with not a hair out of place! Eragon/Murtagh is immediately indebted to her and swears he owes her his life and will protect her at all costs. She argues that she certainly doesn't need protection from him! A big fight follows. They kiss and make up. You know how it goes.
Features: Mary-Sue Wanderer, Mary-Sue Varden
Problems found within: It. Has. No. Plot!
Can it be written with success? …Occasionally.
I Hate You, Daddy!
Mary-Sue, in an arranged marriage? Oh no!
Her father has decided that Mary-Sue is too adventurous and sets up a marriage! This will make her settle down, he thinks. But wait! Mary-Sue refuses? And she loves another? This simply will not do! Mary-Sue is locked up until wedding day. An inescapable situation? Not for Mary-Sue! Just as the I-do's are about to be said, who should storm in but Mary-Sue's beloved! Fighting the guards and soldiers, he sweeps Mary-Sue off her feet and they escape, riding off into the sunset.
Features: Mary-Sue Elven, Mary-Sue Princess
Problems found within: All too predictable. These are usually written after watching Lord of the Rings or The Princess Bride.
Can it be written with success? Oh yes, if you are a Newbury Award winning-author. For fanfic writers? No, not usually.
You're a Hero!
Mary-Sue has defeated Galby, and they find the green egg in the castle! As the hero of the Varden (excuse me while I retch) they present it to her first, and… you guessed it… Mary-Sue becomes the next Dragon Rider! She and Eragon and Murtagh (by now MS has convinced him to be good) go off reorganizing Alagaesia and setting up the new system of leadership. Sometimes, the people of Alagaesia decide that since Mary-Sue is so kind and generous, they want her to rule! Mary-Sue is immediately set up as Queen. She starts making all the necessary improvements, and before long, Alagaesia is the perfect land. And they all lived happily ever after, except for us Mary-Sue haters, who were killed for the treason of detesting our queen. (Not so perfect if they can execute thousands of people, is it?)
Side note: occasionally Mary-Sue will be sent as part of a secret mission into Galby's castle to get the egg, it hatches, and THEN she defeats him.
Features: All.
Problems found within: COMPLETELY and UNBELIEVEABLY unoriginal.
Can it be written with success? If you go into detail and give the girl a legitimate reason for being crowned, maybe. Don't just have her defeat Galby and then stage a three-months-later at the beginning of the next chapter. And CERTAINLY don't use 'and they all lived happily ever after.'
Happy Reviewing!
