1. Kind of. The serial number is what identified the individual product. Filing it off loses the identity but just barely -- the model and type of object it is are still obvious. To say that Story A resembles Story B with the serial numbers filed off is to say that, although the clear, identifying (superficial) details (like names) are different, Story A resembles Story B in the basic elements, like plot, characters and theme. So, if I were to write an original fiction piece about a boy wizard who attends a magic school and is sworn foes with an evil Dark Wizard, and has two best friends: the smart one and the brave one, and who is mentored by the leader of the school, and so on, people would start to say I was writing "Harry Potter with the serial numbers filed off" even if the names made it clear I was writing it in a fantasy country/the far future/Japan instead of Britain, or I had changed details (let's switch the genders of the two friends. And give the main character a talking dragon instead of an owl
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1. I have actually never heard this term in the context of fanfiction. I know that in the real world it would mean erasing the identifying mark so the item could be sold and not traced. But in the context of fanfiction, I'll hazard the complete guess of "writing fanfiction, then re-writing it by taking out identifying marks of the fandom it was written in."
2. Short answer, it is usually the writing/story quality (which includes character quality), and to a degree the concept/cliche. I tend to judge more on a story-by-story basis, though. If the summary sounds interesting, I'll go browse to see if I like it.
3. Blather blather talk talk, "quote quote" (Book [page #]). Taken from this page. I've had professors who have pointed out the period outside the citation as an error, so mileage may vary.
I don't like Mary Sues for the same reason that I don't like Canon Sue: She is the fulfillment of the author's fantasy; she isn't real. (She's the author's idea of gorgeous, has all the talents the author covets, gets to be in on the cool action, is best friends with the characters the author likes, puts the other characters in their place, and has a dizzying romance with the author's crush.) And, yeah, that's bad storytelling and it's not called bad storytelling just because people are jealous that it isn't their fantasy. It's fun for the author, and I hope she enjoys it, but I'm not interested. I think that it's natural for any person to do some self insertion. I also think that it smacks of immaturity to publish it. It's mature to realize that people are not going to be interested a fic that is, all about fulfilling the author's personal fantasies
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I want, and this may sound odd, real characters. I realize that we're talking about pretend world, where people have superpowers and some characters aren't even people, but the core of all these characters is humanity and that, I believe, is why they fascinate us.
I agree with you. I can't relate to the stereotypical Mary Sue because I have nothing in common with her. My fandoms are fantasy worlds, yes, but I need human, relatable traits to get sucked into the story. I don't have deus ex machina powers, and couldn't really relate to a character that does.
What I do think is too bad is that Mary Sues have turned people off original characters in general. A well rounded female character who fits into a story is not a Mary Sue, but many people will call her that and avoid the story because of the stigma. I miss original characters sometimes.Again, excellent point that I agree with. Some of my favorite stories have funny, memorable, very human original characters
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2. Short answer, it is usually the writing/story quality (which includes character quality), and to a degree the concept/cliche. I tend to judge more on a story-by-story basis, though. If the summary sounds interesting, I'll go browse to see if I like it.
3. Blather blather talk talk, "quote quote" (Book [page #]).
Taken from this page. I've had professors who have pointed out the period outside the citation as an error, so mileage may vary.
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:D Enjoy!
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I agree with you. I can't relate to the stereotypical Mary Sue because I have nothing in common with her. My fandoms are fantasy worlds, yes, but I need human, relatable traits to get sucked into the story. I don't have deus ex machina powers, and couldn't really relate to a character that does.
What I do think is too bad is that Mary Sues have turned people off original characters in general. A well rounded female character who fits into a story is not a Mary Sue, but many people will call her that and avoid the story because of the stigma. I miss original characters sometimes.Again, excellent point that I agree with. Some of my favorite stories have funny, memorable, very human original characters ( ... )
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My googlefu is sadly lacking...
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