Help I’ve fallen into a fandom and I can’t get back up! Just kidding, I never want to leave, like ever. There is something oddly satisfying in finding a new group of people that make art, comics, stories and whatever else you can think of that solely revolves around one particular thing. Whether it’s a book, a show, comic, band, or even a real person, there is likely a fandom for it. A lot of people associate with one or two particular fandoms, dedicating their cosplays, Reddit, Tumbler, Pinterest, DeviantArt, etc. This year will be especially hard for those who planned on going to Comic Con, the convention that celebrates anything from comics, T.V shows, books and everything in between. So while you might not be able to get to your Comic Cons this year (fingers crossed for next year), here are a few things you can do to continue your love and support of your fandom.
Put your cosplay outfit on!
I know how hard you worked on perfecting the ultimate cosplay outfit or costume. Hours and hours of research, sketching, finding the right material, sewing and don’t even get me started on the hair and makeup! So why not show off your cosplay to the world (or just your group of friends) and dress up! Join Tick-Tok (ticktack? Tick-tack-toe? Toe-Tack?) and show others how you prepare your skin or hair for wigs and makeup. Create short how-to videos on YouTube or create an Instagram account dedicated to your character. Not only are you sharing your love for your fandom, but you might just inspire someone to create their own version.
Join a [Fandom] Discussion Page!
Seriously! I joined a Lore Olympus Facebook fan page (with no fastpass spoilers) and my mind has been blown ever since! There are so many people creating art with the webtoon comics, people sharing theories on what’s happening, and not to mention the wonderful people who point out the smallest details that are huge game changers! While I may not be one of those people posting I am active in liking and hearting post, artwork, and sharing the occasional *mind blown emoji*. No matter what your comfort level is, groups like these are simply there to share the same love you all have for your fandom!
Fall Down a Pinterest Wormhole
Now I have a confession, whenever I am extremely stressed, I normally jump on Pinterest and fall into a Good Omens wormhole. But it’s not just Good Omens (the book and T.V show by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett), but also some anime, which then leads to Studio Ghibli, which then leads to an hours’ worth of Howl’s Moving Castle fan art, and gifs. I am not ashamed of this, in fact it makes me feel extremely good and reminds me why I love these shows (books, etc.), and what made me fall in love with them in the first place.
Support Creators!
Art comes in many forms, but creating that art takes lots of time and supplies. While it’s okay to support the creators financially (Patreon or Ko-Fi), also remember that support comes in different forms. Remember to like, subscribe to your favorite creators on social media, and if they have a website and newsletter, sign up for that. Also if you enjoy their latest work, remember to leave a heart, or thumbs up, even a simple comment like thank you. This can go a long way for more exposure, higher ratings, and all of that search engine stuff!
Remember, no matter what your fandom is, what your shipping names are, there is always someone else who ships it too! Never be ashamed in your cosplay, no matter how simple, the fact that you put together an outfit to show your love automatically puts you in the badass level!
