I’m not sure if it’s a criticism or a compliment, but when others refer to me as having a fandom-oriented personality, I nod and say, “Thank you.” For those who accuse me of having an addiction — I’m okay with that too!
As far back as I can remember, I have loved both books and television and was clearly addicted to some more than others. However, as long as I can keep a clear line between reality and fantasy, as well as who are friends, as opposed to actors I have been privileged to meet and spend some time with, it remains a healthy addiction. If I have an addictive personality, at least it’s being channeled in a positive direction. I have seen far too many with similar inclinations make unhealthy choices and become obsessive, blurring ever-important boundaries.
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Thinking back to my earliest fandoms, I remember being unable to stop talking about the Little House on the Prairie series of books, staying up well into the night reading one after another. In addition, whatever feature was aired on The Wide World of Disney, would become a must-see, no matter the subject. If Disney endorsed it, I was all in.
It wasn’t long before I fell hopelessly in love with teen heartthrobs of the ’70s. I’m sure those of you who can remember that far back, or recall learning about pop culture of the 1970s & ’80s can make educated guesses as to who won my teenybopper heart. I “needed” every magazine in which my favorites were featured. During the same time period, on several occasions, I became so engrossed in a book, movie, or play that I read books more than once and viewed certain movies or plays multiple times.
During those early teen years, I discovered my all-time favorite movie, shortly after reading the book (in one sitting), Murder On the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. The movie starred Albert Finney and was directed by the brilliant, Sidney Lumet.
Fandom inclinations may be attributed to addictive personalities, but as long as boundaries aren’t crossed, approaching stalker-like behavior, what better way to satisfy a propensity toward addiction. If following a performer, author, book series, film, or play fill a need, I would hope all could enjoy, and find pleasure in a fandom — as long as respect always prevails!
I have also discovered another wonderful benefit of participating in fandom activities — making friends with similar interests. Although many of these friendships begin with online, social media interactions, I have been able to develop “real life” connections with several people with whom we have discovered many other similar interests.
What were your first fandoms? Do you have any particular favorites today? I would love hear from you!
I love this. Fandom-oriented. Perfection.
Thank you so much! What were your first “fandoms”?
My first fandom was “Star Trek’. A group of friends and I would write episodes and a very talented friend would illustrate the stories. I was in it mainly for the companionship but it was fun to invent all types of alien characters and situations.
I think a lot of what makes my fandoms enjoyable is the companionship. Whether the friends were only online or in person, especially pre-social media days, friends added to my enthusiasm.
Thank you so much for sharing!
My first crush was Tim Matheson in Yours, Mine and Ours starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball. I was thirteen years old when my mom took me and my cousin to see it. There’s a scene with all the kids in the bathroom getting ready for school and Tim’s character Michael (the big brother) was clad only in a towel. I remember it made my heart flutter. And yes, I also loved him in Animal House! I loved reading The Hardy Boys books as a kid. I didn’t have all the books but I had a lot of them. Plus I had a friend that had all the Little House On The Prairie books.
I loved the film, “Yours, Mine, and Ours” and also found myself quite enamored with big brother, Michael. No surprise that we have similar taste in men. 🙂
I was with my sorority when the movie, “Animal House” came out in the theaters and we all went — that movie theater will never be the same. lol
I began my interest in mysteries with the “Nancy Drew” series of books, but Agatha Christie was when my complete attachment to her style ultimately brought me to write “Waves of Fortune” as a murder mystery tribute to her inspiration.