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If you’re not familiar with the term, which originated in fanfiction, a “Mary Sue” refers to a specific type of character who is overly idealized and lacks realistic or meaningful flaws. They read uncomfortably close to author wish fulfillment. Mary and Gary embody the sort of perfection that makes them not only unrelatable to readers but also undermines the narrative’s integrity.

When you’re creating your characters, watch for the following giveaways:

Everything Everywhere All at Once:Mary Sue characters are often depicted as exceptionally beautiful, smart,andtalented, excelling in nearly every area without plausible limitations or weaknesses. Their lack of flaws makes it hard for readers to relate to them or see them as believable characters.

Lack of Character Development:Because Gary Stus are already perfect, they don’t undergo significant personal growth or development throughout the story. They have no character arc. They end where they began: impressively dull. This stagnation can make for a boring narrative since character development is a crucial element of engaging storytelling.

The World According to Mary Sue:Because Mary Sue characters mustalwaysbe right, the world around them often warps to accommodate their worldview. Other cast members frequently have to act out of character so that Mary Sue can be right, no matter how unlikely her theories or their behaviors might be. The very plot may go off the rails, the stories losing internal logic and coherence, so that Mary Sue can shine.

Bulletproof Vest:If a character can easily overcome any obstacle thanks to their unparalleled skills or virtues, it removes the sense of risk and reduces tension in the narrative. This can make the story predictable and rob it of emotional impact.

Mic Hog:An author in love with their Mary Sue or Gary Stu is an author shortchanging the plot and greater story. Inevitably, too much airtime will be spent on preparing these tiresome characters for their never-ending closeup. The Mary Sue or Gary Stu inevitably sucks all the oxygen from the room, drawing attention away from other characters and plotlines, monopolizing the narrative. The end result is a story that lacks depth and complexity, and a supporting cast of cardboard characters who only function as an admiring chorus for the protagonist.

Creating complex, flawed characters is key to avoiding the Mary Sue trap. Characters should have strengths and weaknesses, make mistakes, and grow from them. This growth is called a character arc.

Let’s elucidate.

A character arc is essentially the journey a character goes through during the story, showing how they change, grow, or learn from their experiences. It’s the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of your tale, marked by their struggles, triumphs, and failures. This can involve a shift in their beliefs, understanding, or character traits, often leading to a change in their behavior or perspective by the end of the story. The character arc is a crucial element in creating depth and relatability in characters, making them more engaging for your readers.

You must have some kind of character arc in each and every book and in the series overall.

I know! That can be challenging. Butthat’syour job.

Maybe your main character starts out convinced he’s never going to fall in love again or doesn’t have what it takes to make the failing bookstore a success. Maybe she’s never lived alone or knows nothing about art but now owns an art gallery. For sure, they’ve never had to catch a killer before.

Your protagonist begins their journey unprepared but hopeful. The journey ends in success,even if that success was not what the protagonist originally aimed or hoped for. Story is all about the journey. The journeyisthe story. And what is a journey but a series of challenges/conflicts along the way?

Realistic characters who face genuine struggles and evolve over time are essential for crafting compelling and satisfying stories. In your cozy mysteries, embracing the imperfections and growth of your characters can add depth and authenticity, making your stories more engaging and memorable.

How do you make your characters seem more realistic? You give them flaws. You give them quirks and tics. You give them traits that their enemies will criticize them for but their friends find endearing.

However, a word of caution: your character’s “flaw” cannot be something like, for example, he’s on the spectrum but otherwise gorgeous, brilliant, and utterly delightful. Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a character flaw, although I have seen more than one Gary Stu/Mary Sue character theoretically made more human by virtue of a developmental disorder. No. Your protagonist needs some legit character flaws.

Maybe they’re prone to gossip, or a bit of a smartass when stressed, or a little superstitious or a lot overimaginative. Maybe they’re occasionally clumsy or absent-minded, shy or self-conscious. Maybe they’re a total slob or a fashionista. Maybe they’re prone to procrastination. Maybe they have a couple of fears or phobias—not to the point of incapacitation. An agoraphobe is probably not going to make an effective sleuth, but a fear of spiders or a fear of heights can be fun and useful in a plot. Or they could suffer from allergies. It needn’t be life-threatening. You don’t want your readers to live in fear for your shellfish-allergic protag living in a quaint fishing village. Maybe they have an allergy to cats or dust or pollen or lies—something that could have comic value when they’re trying to eavesdrop or hiding from a bad guy.

Your protag could have a legendary sweet tooth or be a fitness fanatic. They could be too impulsive or obsessive (not like stalker obsessive but maybe they really love Nancy Drew or BTS or they collect baseball cards or china thimbles.) Maybe they have a tendency to overcommit. Or maybe they’re a little bit of a micromanager or a perfectionist.

Basically, you’re trying to make your protagonist human. Humans have both strengths and weaknesses, as do well-written characters.

At the same time, don’t go overboard. Don’t turn your main character into a collection of tics and twitches. They have to seem real and relatable to the reader.They have to be someone the reader wants to be around.

And maybe avoid saddling your protagonist with these universally loathed traits: dishonesty, arrogance, manipulativeness, selfishness, cruelty, intolerance, irresponsibility, envy, or cowardice. That stuff isn’t going to warm anyone’s heart. You don’t want the reader confused about who they’re supposed to root for.

Because there’s a very good chance that your gay cozy mystery is going to feature a male sleuth, it’s going to be helpful to consider psychological differences between men and women. Remember, the cozy mystery is acommercialfiction subgenre. That commercial aspect is probably one of the reasons you want to write these. So, listen up.Male characters need toreadmale.

Does that mean your gay male protagonist is going to have some stereotypical male traits? OF COURSE. Just as your female cozy protagonist has to conform in a number of ways to our societal expectations, so, naturally, does your male protagonist. If you’ve got a problem with societal—and genre—expectations, you’re writing in the wrong space.

While these differences are cultural trends rather than biological traits, and individuals vary widely, here are a few very broad considerations for creating your male (straight and gay) protagonists (while keeping in mind the wide spectrum of human experience):

Emotional Expression and Processing:Women are often socialized to be more open with their emotions and may be more likely to analyze and talk about their feelings. A female protagonist might thus be more introspective or more inclined to seek emotional support from friends or community. A male protagonist, on the other hand, might be portrayed as more reserved or might struggle more with expressing vulnerability, although breaking these stereotypes can add complexity to your characters.

Empathy and Intuition:Studies suggest women generally score higher on measures of empathy and emotional intelligence, which could translate into a female protagonist being particularly skilled at reading people and situations, a valuable trait for solving mysteries. A male protagonist could also possess high emotional intelligence, but his insights might be portrayed differently, perhaps with a focus on strategic thinking or a knack for noticing patterns.

Risk-Taking and Caution:Men are often thought to be more prone to taking risks—to this day, there is huge societal pressure for males to be brave, adventurous,anythingbut “chicken,” which makes a male protagonist more likely to dive headfirst into dangerous situations. A female protagonist might approach these situations with more caution, though she could be just as determined and resourceful in pursuing leads.

Problem-Solving Styles:While it should go without saying that both men and women are capable of complex problem-solving, they might approach challenges differently. A female protagonist might be more collaborative, seeking input from others and piecing together clues from community interactions. A male protagonist might be more inclined to rely on direct action or logical deduction. Again, these are not hard and fast rules.

Social Dynamics and Relationships:The way your protagonist interacts with others can also reflect psychological differences. A female protagonist might place a greater emphasis on forming a network of allies and leveraging social connections, while a male protagonist might focus on establishing authority or expertise in certain areas. And, let’s be clear,your supporting characters will react and respond differently to a male or female protagonist.