Mary Sues vs Original Characters
Mary Sues vs Original Characters
What's a Mary Sue? Do you separated them from other OCs in fanfics? If so, what do you think makes them different?
What's an OC?
An original character, or OC, is a character created by a fanfic author or roleplayer for an established canon storyline. For instance, if someone were to write a story set in Tolkien's Middle-earth, but focused on a person who was not in the original novels, the new character would be an OC. Alternatively, this term can be applied to a character created for an original universe. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_character
Who or what is Mary Sue? Are OCs different from Mary Sues?
A Mary Sue is an original character in fanfiction that is the main character or one of the main characters of the story. I personally consider all original main characters in fanfiction as Mary Sues (or Gary Stews). There are enough conflicting definitions of what makes an OC a Mary Sue and all OCs having at least some qualities that are associated with bad Mary Sues makes it impossible to draw a clear line between them.
Concerning the label, I put all fanfic OCs on a Mary Sue spectrum with good Sues at one end and bad ones on the other. However, sometimes people separate them into (good or not horrible) OCs, Mary Sues and Gary Stew (ie bad OCs), Self Inserts (also bad OCs). Sometimes an OC is both a Mary Sue and a blatant Self Insert as well.
Sues will also have/be a few or many of the things on those Sue litmus tests, but those tests just help people get an idea of where they're going wrong. A character can still be a horrible Mary Sue and score low, while an average person like me or you) could score higher. And sometimes canon characters will have enough common Sue traits to qualify as one (even though they obviously aren't Sues). Some examples are Danielle de Barbarac (ie Cinderella) in Ever After, Alice in Resident Evil, and Arwen, Eowyn, and Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings. Sometimes canon characters will be self inserts or heavily based on the author (or people from the author's life) as well, so (again) what makes a bad Sue so bad isn't always so easy to spot.
There are some things that make a bad Sue.
She's the main character (or one of the main characters) in the story
Ring? What ring? The story revolves around the Sue. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, the story becomes a romance story about the Sue hooking up with one of the canon characters above anything else.
She steals attention away from canon characters, so the spotlight focuses more on her than it should
The writer may even have her steal the thunder of other canon characters. An example of this is the Sue taking the place of Glorfindel (or Arwen if going by the movie) as Frodo's escort to Rivendell and stealing lines of canon during the Council of Elrond. The story might also focus too much on the Sue's romance troubles or how she doesn't feel pretty, treasured, and/or special enough. As if she has time to think much about that sort of thing.
She is a static, unrealistic, and flat character that isn't well-developed and fails to grow or change overtime
If a tragic past is mentioned, the Sue only seems affected by it when it's convenient. For example, Sue was horribly abused by her evil uncle, however she seems okay with men most of the time. Or Sue is raped, the writer narrates how that will always haunt the Sue, yet she wants to bone one of the canon characters. Because he's different! We know that seems kind of shady. And even though the Sue faces (and probably overcomes) many more troubles and gains much experience throughout the story, she doesn't seem to change much. After waking in Rivendell, it was made clear that what he had experienced since leaving the Shire. Why does this happen? There are at least a couple reasons (something as simple as being lazy or not knowing any better).
Sue is loved by it's maker and usually disliked by almost everyone else
The Sue seeming to be hated by most people is a probably a clear sign that the Sue (and story) needs a lot of fixing.
Onto other Sue characteristics...
Girl power
I'm strong, accomplished, attractive, talented, blunt, sweet, honest, intelligent, gentle, and willful natural born leader and fighter. Boys better watch out, because I won't take orders or let them treat me like a delicate flower! I'm not naive or weak! Human women should be respected and treated as equals to men in Middle-Earth! As a girl, I should be able to do what I want, when I want.
Now a day, more and more female main characters in stories have what is often labeled as Sue characteristics. They're usually stronger, sometimes they have a leadership role, are militant, know how to fight, go into battle, are able to protect themselves, etc while they are also attractive, amiable, gentle, and good-natured. This is probably due to the gradual change in gender stereotypes. The shift in the type of Sues that are in fanfiction has changed, as Pat Pflieger mentions in 150 Years of Mary Sue:
Listening to Larisa R. Schumann's "Girl Power: The New Cinderellas in Cinema" (presented at the American Culture Association conference, 31 March 1999), I was struck by the similarities between Mary Sue and the characters she describes in her paper. The Cinderella portrayed by Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After, especially, is everything that defines the Mary Sue -- intelligent, funny, beautiful, physically strong, competent, lovable -- but there isn't the hint of self-deprecation we see in some of the Mary Sues cited above. From Schumann's paper, we get a sense that young teen-aged girls now aren't as willing to abdicate their natural powers as were girls of previous generations; it's their right to be competent and strong, and to carry off the occasional prince over their shoulders. All power to them.
The problem here is not that the Sue does not fit the more traditional female gender stereotypes, but rather her character isn't explained, doesn't seem plausible and/or she holds feminist opinions and beliefs that don't fit (ex. a Middle-Earth woman with a normal upbringing thinking that women should be able to be warriors or something more than housekeepers, servants, wives, baby-makers, or prostitutes). But what about Eowyn? Well, what about her? Eowyn was raised by her male relatives (who were royalty and above most of their society), had a high social status, and still wasn't allowed to go to war with the men. She had to disguise herself as a man in order to sneak into the battle to die fighting for her country (because her intent was to die in battle, since Aragorn didn't return her affections and he seemingly went off to die on his mission).
Physical features
I’m 5’7” with a slim, perfect body. I have beautiful, waist length fiery red hair that flows down in soft and luscious curls. My porcelain skin is lustrous and flawless. My lips are full, and soft, ruby-red lips. And my eyes are deep, emerald pools that show the depth of my beautiful and tortured soul. And now I'll explain what I’m wearing in full detail for a couple paragraphs...
Bad Sues will often look the way the writer wishes he/she looked or even would like his/her significant other to look. Their physical descriptions are often idealized images of what the writer thinks a perfect or almost perfect girl looks like. Sometimes the character is a self insert (just better looking). However, sometimes characters in original stories will be self inserts and good looks isn't necessarily a sign of a bad character. Plenty of main characters in stories are attractive and liked by others. For example, Eowyn, Galadriel, and Arwen are all kind, tall, slim, and beautiful women who're liked and respected. Many people would consider an OC with those traits to be a Mary Sue, because they're so perfect. The problem is when the writer needs people to know exactly what the Sue looks like, exactly how beautiful she is, what her clothing looks like in so much detail, and continually mentions how attractive the character is. It's especially painful to come across a giant chunk of text just about what the character looks like. Sometimes the bad Sue will have angel wings, a special and magical tattoo or something like that as well and the existence of these things will be either poorly explained or never at all.
Talents and skills
For some reason I am naturally good at all sports I do. I can usually learn how to play any instrument in absolutely no time. I'm a talented dancer, writer, academic, and singer as well. I'm so accomplished and I hardly have to practice! I'm just special and great that way. Did I mention that I was a natural fighter that is great with the sword, bow, and other weapons, along with martial arts?
Various traits of bad Sues becomes so common that people will often automatically label a character as a Sue for having some of them. But, real people can be attractive, bright, amiable, a good singer, etc. Sometimes having certain skills is just a matter of practice, so being able to do something well isn't necessarily a bad Sue trait. A person practices to sing well, it doesn't happen overnight. Same with being able to draw, paint, play sports, play instruments, fight, cook, sew, or whatever. So having certain skills or talents are Sue traits if the Sue has them without any good reason why. This includes being able to eat or do whatever and maintain a perfect shape or having unique magical powers that other people don't have.
Tragic past
Poor me, I'm so utterly and horribly abused. My parents died in a fire, so now I live my cruel uncle who's an alcoholic uncle that beats and sexually abuses me almost every night. It's horrible, I can't stand it! But for some reason I don't notify child services or let anyone know that I'm being abused. And even though I'm a smart, kind, and attractive girl, I get bullied by all of the popular kids at school. Why doesn't anyone love me for the spiritually beautiful, intelligent, and capable girl that I am? I wish Legolas was my boyfriend.
Often a bad Sue will have (what is supposed to be) a tragic background. Writers will make their Sues victims of child abuse, rape, sexual abuse just barely shy of full-on rape, extremely unrealistic bullying at school, and/or evil parents because they think it's a good way to build sympathy for their character. Or sometimes the Sue will lose her family and/or friends (car wreck, house fire, murdered, etc), giving her a reason to be angsty. Bad things do happen to normal people all of the time. Parents die, friends die, people have accidents, etc... However the Sue's abuse or tragedy is often romanticized (which is really weird to me) enough to make it unbelievable, corny, confusing and annoying. However, any rational person knows that being horribly abused and/or traumatized doesn't necessarily make someone anymore likable or interesting as a person.
Origin
My name is Raven Emerald Windgate, but my real name is Aria. I am the long lost younger daughter of a Maiar and was sent away to Earth so that Sauron couldn't find me. Oh, did I mention that I have more magical abilities than Gandalf and Saruman? I can see the future better than Galadriel, but I already know what's going to happen because I've read the books and seen the movies. I also can fly, shapeshift, control the weather, and heal people. I'm also part unicorn, fairy, mermaid, and liger!
Her name is weird, stupid, rare, and/or spelled in an uncommon way and her existence doesn't necessarily make sense either. Sometimes she's made to be the daughter, sibling, or long lost relative of a canon character. Sometimes she's part of an important or powerful family/clan or race that doesn't exist and is poorly introduced and explained in the story. Sometimes she’s both and/or from Middle-Earth, but was sent to another world or time. How did manage to travel to another world? Usually she’s sent there, but the writer can never really explain why she had to be sent to another world. Aragorn’s true identity was kept secret and he had to live as a homeless ranger while the Sue usually gets to live the life of a normal girl.
Romance, fluff, and smut
I've been so lonely without a love in my life, but now I found him and he's an elf! So hot!!! He's so sweet to me, telling me how beautiful I am and holding me close. Before him, I was nothing. Oh, my tall and gorgeous Elf... so charming, so sweet, so loving and all mine!
A bad Sue's purpose is often to hook up with at least one of the writer's favorite characters. The hooking up will be unrealistic, sudden, and corny. For example, a teenager gets spirited to Middle-Earth where she falls in love with Aragorn or some other canon character in LOTR fanfiction. Perhaps it wouldn't be uncommon for young girls to be married off to older men in Middle-Earth, however their Sue is a modern day teenager and she's mackin' on a canon who're about twice her age or older. Just as unrealistic is a normal human girl getting with an Elf.
Anti-Sue
I'm not like those other ditzy, girls who fall into Middle-Earth. I'm not ridiculously attractive or runway model thin. I'm kind of average looking, a little overweight (Okay, fine, I'm fat! There, are you happy now!?), my skin isn't perfect, and I wear glasses. I can't sing, cook, dance, wield a sword properly, or defend myself. I'm not strong and I have no wilderness survival skills. But I'm still going along with the Fellowship, because I know that I will be help to them somehow.
Bad Sues will sometimes be so anti-Sue and ridiculous that they are a Sue. They are described as not very pretty or even ugly and sometimes they're fat too. She's incompetent or even a psycho bitch (which is intentionally done by the writer). The OC is just another type of (bad) Sue that often is liked or tolerated and can even accomplish things (that she shouldn't be able to), despite all of her shortcomings.
OC is spirited away to another world
I was just watching The Fellowship of the Ring on DVD for the 200th time, thinking how cool it would be to meet the Fellowship, when out of nowhere a giant swirly, portal-thingy of light appeared and sucked me in. I don't exactly know what happened next, but I came to in the woods, with casual clothing on instead of the pajamas I had been wearing and a large backpack full of all kinds of goodies I would've packed from home. And you wouldn't believe it, but I knew exactly where I was. I was in in The Lord of the Rings books! Sure enough, some Elves found me and took me to Rivendell which was very close by. It's so cool, everyone looks like they do from the movies! And Orlando Bloo- I mean, "Legolas" is so hot! He's totally mine.
An OC isn't automatically a cliche Sue if she is spirited away to the story world. Plenty of stories have that sort of story line such as The Neverending Story, Vision of Escaflowne and A Girl in Gaia, The Pagemaster, The Labyrinth, Alice in Wonderland, Mysterious Play (Fushigi Yuugi), Twelve Kingdoms (Juuni Kokki), From Far Away (Kanata Kara), and El-Hazard. What usually makes it seem like a (bad) Sue is that the Sue usually seems either okay or even happy about it, doesn't really suffer from culture shock, doesn't try to go home, quickly and easily loses hope of finding a way home, and is fairly alright with her situation. People who move to a foreign country (for the first time) for a short time (perhaps half a year to a couple years) often encounter at least some culture shock.
I find that most reviewers are ready to label a character Mary Sue (ie bad Mary Sue) just because the characters are girls who’re spirited away (by whatever means) to Middle-Earth. Yes, that storyline in general is overdone. However there are so many things a writer can do with the characters (OC and canon) and storyline to keep it from being another poorly and stereotypical fanfic. For example, the Sue needs to show some signs of culture shock and she usually should be genuinely distraught over not being able to get back home or at least her time.
What's a Mary Sue? Do you separated them from other OCs in fanfics? If so, what do you think makes them different?
What's an OC?
An original character, or OC, is a character created by a fanfic author or roleplayer for an established canon storyline. For instance, if someone were to write a story set in Tolkien's Middle-earth, but focused on a person who was not in the original novels, the new character would be an OC. Alternatively, this term can be applied to a character created for an original universe. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_character
Who or what is Mary Sue? Are OCs different from Mary Sues?
A Mary Sue is an original character in fanfiction that is the main character or one of the main characters of the story. I personally consider all original main characters in fanfiction as Mary Sues (or Gary Stews). There are enough conflicting definitions of what makes an OC a Mary Sue and all OCs having at least some qualities that are associated with bad Mary Sues makes it impossible to draw a clear line between them.
Concerning the label, I put all fanfic OCs on a Mary Sue spectrum with good Sues at one end and bad ones on the other. However, sometimes people separate them into (good or not horrible) OCs, Mary Sues and Gary Stew (ie bad OCs), Self Inserts (also bad OCs). Sometimes an OC is both a Mary Sue and a blatant Self Insert as well.
Sues will also have/be a few or many of the things on those Sue litmus tests, but those tests just help people get an idea of where they're going wrong. A character can still be a horrible Mary Sue and score low, while an average person like me or you) could score higher. And sometimes canon characters will have enough common Sue traits to qualify as one (even though they obviously aren't Sues). Some examples are Danielle de Barbarac (ie Cinderella) in Ever After, Alice in Resident Evil, and Arwen, Eowyn, and Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings. Sometimes canon characters will be self inserts or heavily based on the author (or people from the author's life) as well, so (again) what makes a bad Sue so bad isn't always so easy to spot.
There are some things that make a bad Sue.
She's the main character (or one of the main characters) in the story
Ring? What ring? The story revolves around the Sue. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, the story becomes a romance story about the Sue hooking up with one of the canon characters above anything else.
She steals attention away from canon characters, so the spotlight focuses more on her than it should
The writer may even have her steal the thunder of other canon characters. An example of this is the Sue taking the place of Glorfindel (or Arwen if going by the movie) as Frodo's escort to Rivendell and stealing lines of canon during the Council of Elrond. The story might also focus too much on the Sue's romance troubles or how she doesn't feel pretty, treasured, and/or special enough. As if she has time to think much about that sort of thing.
She is a static, unrealistic, and flat character that isn't well-developed and fails to grow or change overtime
If a tragic past is mentioned, the Sue only seems affected by it when it's convenient. For example, Sue was horribly abused by her evil uncle, however she seems okay with men most of the time. Or Sue is raped, the writer narrates how that will always haunt the Sue, yet she wants to bone one of the canon characters. Because he's different! We know that seems kind of shady. And even though the Sue faces (and probably overcomes) many more troubles and gains much experience throughout the story, she doesn't seem to change much. After waking in Rivendell, it was made clear that what he had experienced since leaving the Shire. Why does this happen? There are at least a couple reasons (something as simple as being lazy or not knowing any better).
Sue is loved by it's maker and usually disliked by almost everyone else
The Sue seeming to be hated by most people is a probably a clear sign that the Sue (and story) needs a lot of fixing.
Onto other Sue characteristics...
Girl power
I'm strong, accomplished, attractive, talented, blunt, sweet, honest, intelligent, gentle, and willful natural born leader and fighter. Boys better watch out, because I won't take orders or let them treat me like a delicate flower! I'm not naive or weak! Human women should be respected and treated as equals to men in Middle-Earth! As a girl, I should be able to do what I want, when I want.
Now a day, more and more female main characters in stories have what is often labeled as Sue characteristics. They're usually stronger, sometimes they have a leadership role, are militant, know how to fight, go into battle, are able to protect themselves, etc while they are also attractive, amiable, gentle, and good-natured. This is probably due to the gradual change in gender stereotypes. The shift in the type of Sues that are in fanfiction has changed, as Pat Pflieger mentions in 150 Years of Mary Sue:
Listening to Larisa R. Schumann's "Girl Power: The New Cinderellas in Cinema" (presented at the American Culture Association conference, 31 March 1999), I was struck by the similarities between Mary Sue and the characters she describes in her paper. The Cinderella portrayed by Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After, especially, is everything that defines the Mary Sue -- intelligent, funny, beautiful, physically strong, competent, lovable -- but there isn't the hint of self-deprecation we see in some of the Mary Sues cited above. From Schumann's paper, we get a sense that young teen-aged girls now aren't as willing to abdicate their natural powers as were girls of previous generations; it's their right to be competent and strong, and to carry off the occasional prince over their shoulders. All power to them.
The problem here is not that the Sue does not fit the more traditional female gender stereotypes, but rather her character isn't explained, doesn't seem plausible and/or she holds feminist opinions and beliefs that don't fit (ex. a Middle-Earth woman with a normal upbringing thinking that women should be able to be warriors or something more than housekeepers, servants, wives, baby-makers, or prostitutes). But what about Eowyn? Well, what about her? Eowyn was raised by her male relatives (who were royalty and above most of their society), had a high social status, and still wasn't allowed to go to war with the men. She had to disguise herself as a man in order to sneak into the battle to die fighting for her country (because her intent was to die in battle, since Aragorn didn't return her affections and he seemingly went off to die on his mission).
Physical features
I’m 5’7” with a slim, perfect body. I have beautiful, waist length fiery red hair that flows down in soft and luscious curls. My porcelain skin is lustrous and flawless. My lips are full, and soft, ruby-red lips. And my eyes are deep, emerald pools that show the depth of my beautiful and tortured soul. And now I'll explain what I’m wearing in full detail for a couple paragraphs...
Bad Sues will often look the way the writer wishes he/she looked or even would like his/her significant other to look. Their physical descriptions are often idealized images of what the writer thinks a perfect or almost perfect girl looks like. Sometimes the character is a self insert (just better looking). However, sometimes characters in original stories will be self inserts and good looks isn't necessarily a sign of a bad character. Plenty of main characters in stories are attractive and liked by others. For example, Eowyn, Galadriel, and Arwen are all kind, tall, slim, and beautiful women who're liked and respected. Many people would consider an OC with those traits to be a Mary Sue, because they're so perfect. The problem is when the writer needs people to know exactly what the Sue looks like, exactly how beautiful she is, what her clothing looks like in so much detail, and continually mentions how attractive the character is. It's especially painful to come across a giant chunk of text just about what the character looks like. Sometimes the bad Sue will have angel wings, a special and magical tattoo or something like that as well and the existence of these things will be either poorly explained or never at all.
Talents and skills
For some reason I am naturally good at all sports I do. I can usually learn how to play any instrument in absolutely no time. I'm a talented dancer, writer, academic, and singer as well. I'm so accomplished and I hardly have to practice! I'm just special and great that way. Did I mention that I was a natural fighter that is great with the sword, bow, and other weapons, along with martial arts?
Various traits of bad Sues becomes so common that people will often automatically label a character as a Sue for having some of them. But, real people can be attractive, bright, amiable, a good singer, etc. Sometimes having certain skills is just a matter of practice, so being able to do something well isn't necessarily a bad Sue trait. A person practices to sing well, it doesn't happen overnight. Same with being able to draw, paint, play sports, play instruments, fight, cook, sew, or whatever. So having certain skills or talents are Sue traits if the Sue has them without any good reason why. This includes being able to eat or do whatever and maintain a perfect shape or having unique magical powers that other people don't have.
Tragic past
Poor me, I'm so utterly and horribly abused. My parents died in a fire, so now I live my cruel uncle who's an alcoholic uncle that beats and sexually abuses me almost every night. It's horrible, I can't stand it! But for some reason I don't notify child services or let anyone know that I'm being abused. And even though I'm a smart, kind, and attractive girl, I get bullied by all of the popular kids at school. Why doesn't anyone love me for the spiritually beautiful, intelligent, and capable girl that I am? I wish Legolas was my boyfriend.
Often a bad Sue will have (what is supposed to be) a tragic background. Writers will make their Sues victims of child abuse, rape, sexual abuse just barely shy of full-on rape, extremely unrealistic bullying at school, and/or evil parents because they think it's a good way to build sympathy for their character. Or sometimes the Sue will lose her family and/or friends (car wreck, house fire, murdered, etc), giving her a reason to be angsty. Bad things do happen to normal people all of the time. Parents die, friends die, people have accidents, etc... However the Sue's abuse or tragedy is often romanticized (which is really weird to me) enough to make it unbelievable, corny, confusing and annoying. However, any rational person knows that being horribly abused and/or traumatized doesn't necessarily make someone anymore likable or interesting as a person.
Origin
My name is Raven Emerald Windgate, but my real name is Aria. I am the long lost younger daughter of a Maiar and was sent away to Earth so that Sauron couldn't find me. Oh, did I mention that I have more magical abilities than Gandalf and Saruman? I can see the future better than Galadriel, but I already know what's going to happen because I've read the books and seen the movies. I also can fly, shapeshift, control the weather, and heal people. I'm also part unicorn, fairy, mermaid, and liger!
Her name is weird, stupid, rare, and/or spelled in an uncommon way and her existence doesn't necessarily make sense either. Sometimes she's made to be the daughter, sibling, or long lost relative of a canon character. Sometimes she's part of an important or powerful family/clan or race that doesn't exist and is poorly introduced and explained in the story. Sometimes she’s both and/or from Middle-Earth, but was sent to another world or time. How did manage to travel to another world? Usually she’s sent there, but the writer can never really explain why she had to be sent to another world. Aragorn’s true identity was kept secret and he had to live as a homeless ranger while the Sue usually gets to live the life of a normal girl.
Romance, fluff, and smut
I've been so lonely without a love in my life, but now I found him and he's an elf! So hot!!! He's so sweet to me, telling me how beautiful I am and holding me close. Before him, I was nothing. Oh, my tall and gorgeous Elf... so charming, so sweet, so loving and all mine!
A bad Sue's purpose is often to hook up with at least one of the writer's favorite characters. The hooking up will be unrealistic, sudden, and corny. For example, a teenager gets spirited to Middle-Earth where she falls in love with Aragorn or some other canon character in LOTR fanfiction. Perhaps it wouldn't be uncommon for young girls to be married off to older men in Middle-Earth, however their Sue is a modern day teenager and she's mackin' on a canon who're about twice her age or older. Just as unrealistic is a normal human girl getting with an Elf.
Anti-Sue
I'm not like those other ditzy, girls who fall into Middle-Earth. I'm not ridiculously attractive or runway model thin. I'm kind of average looking, a little overweight (Okay, fine, I'm fat! There, are you happy now!?), my skin isn't perfect, and I wear glasses. I can't sing, cook, dance, wield a sword properly, or defend myself. I'm not strong and I have no wilderness survival skills. But I'm still going along with the Fellowship, because I know that I will be help to them somehow.
Bad Sues will sometimes be so anti-Sue and ridiculous that they are a Sue. They are described as not very pretty or even ugly and sometimes they're fat too. She's incompetent or even a psycho bitch (which is intentionally done by the writer). The OC is just another type of (bad) Sue that often is liked or tolerated and can even accomplish things (that she shouldn't be able to), despite all of her shortcomings.
OC is spirited away to another world
I was just watching The Fellowship of the Ring on DVD for the 200th time, thinking how cool it would be to meet the Fellowship, when out of nowhere a giant swirly, portal-thingy of light appeared and sucked me in. I don't exactly know what happened next, but I came to in the woods, with casual clothing on instead of the pajamas I had been wearing and a large backpack full of all kinds of goodies I would've packed from home. And you wouldn't believe it, but I knew exactly where I was. I was in in The Lord of the Rings books! Sure enough, some Elves found me and took me to Rivendell which was very close by. It's so cool, everyone looks like they do from the movies! And Orlando Bloo- I mean, "Legolas" is so hot! He's totally mine.
An OC isn't automatically a cliche Sue if she is spirited away to the story world. Plenty of stories have that sort of story line such as The Neverending Story, Vision of Escaflowne and A Girl in Gaia, The Pagemaster, The Labyrinth, Alice in Wonderland, Mysterious Play (Fushigi Yuugi), Twelve Kingdoms (Juuni Kokki), From Far Away (Kanata Kara), and El-Hazard. What usually makes it seem like a (bad) Sue is that the Sue usually seems either okay or even happy about it, doesn't really suffer from culture shock, doesn't try to go home, quickly and easily loses hope of finding a way home, and is fairly alright with her situation. People who move to a foreign country (for the first time) for a short time (perhaps half a year to a couple years) often encounter at least some culture shock.
I find that most reviewers are ready to label a character Mary Sue (ie bad Mary Sue) just because the characters are girls who’re spirited away (by whatever means) to Middle-Earth. Yes, that storyline in general is overdone. However there are so many things a writer can do with the characters (OC and canon) and storyline to keep it from being another poorly and stereotypical fanfic. For example, the Sue needs to show some signs of culture shock and she usually should be genuinely distraught over not being able to get back home or at least her time.