Step 1: Find Your Fandom
The key to being a fanboy/fangirl is to find the right obsession. Maybe you already have one. But if you don’t, that’s okay too. It might take years to find a great movie/book/anime that you love. Ask your friends for recommendations. If you don’t find a fandom that you’re totally obsessed with but kind of like, that’s great. A casual fan is still a fan, even if they don’t totally love their fandom.
Step 2: Hit the Books
Most fanboys/fangirls know a lot about their fandom. To know your fandom well, try reading a lot about it. If your obsession is a book, try reading it and rereading it to find important details. If you love a movie/movie series, there are so many ways to find information. Star Wars, for example, has an extended universe (tons and tons of books written about a fandom). It also has several reference books by DK, and a whole lot of other facts on the internet by official sources. If you’re obsessed with a singer, actor(ess), or band, try reading biographies about that person/people. Note: the bigger the fandom, the bigger the facts.
Step 3: Let Your Imagination Soar
Expressing your creativity for your fandom is a great way to show your fandom pride. Here are some ways to let your imagination soar:
- Write a fanfiction. There is no better way to let your fandom pride shine than to write one. Even if you stink at writing, you can still make one. Try step 2 and study up, then create a plot that you love. You can even post your story online (be careful what you post though)!
- Try fanart. If you hate writing but love drawing, fanart can be a great way to express your creativity. Find something in your fandom that makes you laugh, cry, or tugs on your heartstrings and put it on paper. If you want to be a serious fanartist, try downloading some drawing software. It makes your art look professional, and you feel great about your work.
- Make a fan video. If you think it’s absolutely taboo to recast your characters, try animation. It combines fanart and fanfiction into a whole new level of fandom creativity. Warning: animation is extremely hard. It takes weeks and weeks to create a short animation, and a whole lot of effort is needed, too. If you’re worried about the time or skill it takes, try writing a fanfiction or drawing fanart.
Step 4: Fan Friendships
Want to find other people who love your fandom as much as you do? Bored and tired of associating with people who hate your obsession? There are so many ways to make fandom friends! Try going to a comic con or a convention about your fandom. Other fanboys and fangirls will be waiting to meet you! Most fanboys and fangirls have one big dream: to be friends their favorite character or celebrity. Book signings can be a great way to briefly meet your favorite author, and conventions sometimes have the actors and actresses of your favorite fandom movie. Sadly, many fanboys and fangirls go unnoticed by their favorite character/celebrities. At most conventions and books signings, you’ll only get to say a few words, like “hello” and “I’m so excited to meet you” before you get your book/merchandise signed and move on. Fortunately, this is usually enough for most fanboys and fangirls, and they often remember that for the rest of their lives. In some rare cases, fanboys and fangirls want more than a brief meeting, and resort to stalking. My advice to all fan people is to not stalk. It’s undignified, strange, and in some cases, dangerous. Instead, with hard work and perseverance you can be a friend to your favorite character/celebrity! It just takes time. Go to as many conventions as you can, along with other events that your favorite character/celebrity is at. Chances are, that person will say, “Hey, I remember you!” If you have social media, great. Follow that person on Twitter, Instagram, or any other social site you have. Some celebrities are known for sharing/retweeting posts of fanboys and fangirls just like you!
Step 5: Stay True to Your Fandom
Your Fandom is your personality! So stay true to it. If someone teases you about your fandom, just reply back with, “Geez, that’s rude! I don’t say anything about what you like!” If you don’t love your fandom anymore, don’t feel awful. It’s natural to outgrow some obsessions. And on the vice versa side of things, don’t feel like you’re not ordinary if you’ve not outgrown your fandom. You’ve found a fandom for life! Feel proud! Stay true, stay original, stay a fan!
DW Voice 