The stories I made up in my head in my teens had text book Mary Sues and they were very satisfying to conjure up. And I believe many of the Mary Sues out there are a natural process in excersising your imagination. It's always easier to imagine someone like you or an idealzied version of what you would want to be.

I'm not a fantastic author and I don't delude myself in believing my character's are all unique. The character's I'm drawn to ofter have similarities regardless of fandom. :)