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Being in a fandom is weird...
11 years ago
I was thinking about this since Bronycon. All I did for most of the weekend was sit at my Artist Alley table. Particularly sitting next to multiple artists who are fairly known in the fandom and listening to the musicians, and seeing all the cosplayers…
It made me realize how much I view myself as an outsider looking in.
Not that it’s particularly a bad thing. But I don’t feel like I have anything new or interesting to offer to any fandom I’m a part of.
While I draw furry art and can technically be considered a “furry artist”, I don’t think my work adds anything interesting to the fandom as a whole. If I stopped drawing, I don’t imagine that anyone would miss it. The same could probably be said of my fursuit making.
While I’m an anime fan, I’m only partial to a few shows. The most obvious being Detective Conan. I draw fan art occasionally, but that’s about it. I don’t come up with fan theories, write fan fics, cosplay, engage in shipping, etc. I just share what other people make for the most part.
And while I feel I’m an MLP fan and a toku fan, I don’t do much to add to those fandoms either.
I just like these random things.
I suppose in the long run that’s the only thing needed to be a fan of something, but to be a part of a “fandom” seems to be completely different than just being a fan. I say that I’m part of so and so fandom but I don’t particularly feel like I really am. I can easily say that I’m a fan of something. But to say that I’m a part of that fandom would almost be a lie.
I feel that being a part of a fandom means that you have something to offer to the group. That something can be art, music, dance, writing, costuming, theories, or even just general dialogue about whatever it is you’re into. And most often, having people to talk about your interests with is the most important part. That’s just my interpretation of fandom though…people are free to disagree. But from my observation of fan groups, this seems to be fairly true.
I do tend to be on the more “creative” end of things. I like making fan art, cosplay, and fursuit making. But I’m well aware that doing those things don’t necessarily make me a part of any fandom. They’re just things I like to do.
In the long run, it might feel a little lonely to be on the outside of fandom looking inward, but when you’re looking inward, you get to see all the amazing things that people have to offer. Beautiful fan art, lovely cosplays, amazing music (covers, original, and remixes), great fan fiction, interesting fan theories, and fun conversations between people who are genuinely excited these shows/ideas they love.
I may never join in on any of that (I never have anything to say really), but I like reading the things that a lot of you guys have to say. I like sharing your gifs, fan art, etc. You guys are all awesome.
It made me realize how much I view myself as an outsider looking in.
Not that it’s particularly a bad thing. But I don’t feel like I have anything new or interesting to offer to any fandom I’m a part of.
While I draw furry art and can technically be considered a “furry artist”, I don’t think my work adds anything interesting to the fandom as a whole. If I stopped drawing, I don’t imagine that anyone would miss it. The same could probably be said of my fursuit making.
While I’m an anime fan, I’m only partial to a few shows. The most obvious being Detective Conan. I draw fan art occasionally, but that’s about it. I don’t come up with fan theories, write fan fics, cosplay, engage in shipping, etc. I just share what other people make for the most part.
And while I feel I’m an MLP fan and a toku fan, I don’t do much to add to those fandoms either.
I just like these random things.
I suppose in the long run that’s the only thing needed to be a fan of something, but to be a part of a “fandom” seems to be completely different than just being a fan. I say that I’m part of so and so fandom but I don’t particularly feel like I really am. I can easily say that I’m a fan of something. But to say that I’m a part of that fandom would almost be a lie.
I feel that being a part of a fandom means that you have something to offer to the group. That something can be art, music, dance, writing, costuming, theories, or even just general dialogue about whatever it is you’re into. And most often, having people to talk about your interests with is the most important part. That’s just my interpretation of fandom though…people are free to disagree. But from my observation of fan groups, this seems to be fairly true.
I do tend to be on the more “creative” end of things. I like making fan art, cosplay, and fursuit making. But I’m well aware that doing those things don’t necessarily make me a part of any fandom. They’re just things I like to do.
In the long run, it might feel a little lonely to be on the outside of fandom looking inward, but when you’re looking inward, you get to see all the amazing things that people have to offer. Beautiful fan art, lovely cosplays, amazing music (covers, original, and remixes), great fan fiction, interesting fan theories, and fun conversations between people who are genuinely excited these shows/ideas they love.
I may never join in on any of that (I never have anything to say really), but I like reading the things that a lot of you guys have to say. I like sharing your gifs, fan art, etc. You guys are all awesome.
I dunno...I feel like being a part of the group means contributing something of use to it. Whether that's art or ideas/conversation. I rarely have anything of use to say so I tend to stay quiet and what art I do make kinda just fades into the background.
I mean...I don't think it's necessarily negative. I still like seeing what other people make and/or have to say. But it's still a little odd to say that I'm a part of the group when I don't necessarily feel like it. I sorta make a distinction between saying "I'm a furry" and "I'm a part of the furry fandom". You can be a furry without necessarily belonging to the fandom (if that makes any sense...).
It's tough making friends online though. It's easy to find people with similar interests, but hard to gauge if you'd be good friends 'cause you don't really hang out with 'em. Plus I'm not one to just randomly add people I don't know as friends on Facebook or anything...
Plus I'm not saying that I'm leaving any fandoms. ^^;
I'm saying I was most likely never a part of them to begin with. That's not to say that I'm not a furry or I'm not a fan of anime or anything like that. I just don't have a place in the groups said people form. I like to admire said groups but to try to find a place within them is quite tough when you don't bring anything new to the table.