Fandom School (7th period): How to Find Related Fandoms

So this was supposed to be written yesterday. Sorry. Let's just say that Fandom School had a snow day because my school didn't (but we do have one today). But enough about snow, let's talk about fandoms.

As a huge fangirl, I'm always looking for a new fandom to add to my life (more like become my life), and I'm sure many of you are the same. While you may like a wide variety of things, most people like fandoms in the same genre. But how do you find fandoms similar to the ones you're already in? This post will give you advice as well as a few fandom recommendations. (Note: if you want more detailed recommendations instead of an "if you like this, you might like that" approach, you should read this post.)

Step 1: Make a list of the fandoms you are in
What do you watch/read? What are you obsessed with? You have to figure this out first before you can find what else you might like.

Step 2: Find out what genre(s) you like
Now, look at your list. What categories do these fit into? I like several different genres, but most of my fandoms are sci-fi or fantasy. I also like musicals, mystery, and Disney. There are a few fandoms I'm in that don't fit in any of those categories (those are what we call outliers).

Step 3: Pick a few of your biggest fandoms
If you're like me, you have a LOT of fandoms (just take a look at my list on the right sidebar- and that's only the beginning!), so focus on the one's you're most obsessed with.

Step 4: The Google search
Search for similar shows/movies/books. For example...

Step 5: The "Recommended for you" section

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and most places you would get books/movies/TV shows will give you recommendations based on your watching/browsing history. Check out the shows it recommends.

Step 6: See what your friends are watching/reading

Ask your friends (this includes online friends) what fandoms they are in. Chances are, they watch something you might want to start watching.

Step 7: Look for crossovers

Fanfiction.net has a section specifically for crossovers. On other fanfiction websites, you can search the works in one fandom for other fandoms. See what fandom is often put in a crossover with your fandom. You might like it! 

Step 8: Investigate spin-offs

Many popular shows (and to a lesser extent, books and movies) have spin-offs. For example, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures are both crossovers of Doctor Who. Sometimes, spin-offs keep going even when the original is done.

Step 9: Look at various adaptations

If a book is popular enough, it will often be made into a movie or TV show. Arthur Conan Doyle's books about Sherlock Holmes have had many adaptations, including Sherlock and Elementary.

Step 10: See what else your favorite actors/writers are in

How many times have you watched a movie just because your favorite actor was in it? Yeah, probably a lot. For example, Broadchurch (which just started airing Season 2 on BBC America) has several actors from Doctor Who, including David Tennant, Arthur Darvill, and several other people who were minor characters in Doctor Who. You can also look at who writes your favorite shows and what else they write. Steven Moffat writes both Doctor Who and Sherlock (whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is for you to decide).

Finally, I provide you with some fandom recommendations.

If you like: Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk

You might like: The Avengers, Agent Carter

If you like: Doctor Who

You might like: Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Sherlock, Supernatural

If you like: Sherlock

You might like: Elementary, Agent Carter, Doctor Who, Supernatural

If you like: Star Wars

You might like: Star Trek, The Avengers, The Big Bang Theory, Doctor Who

If you like: American Idol

You might like: Sing Your Face Off, The Voice, Pitch Perfect

If you like: musicals and/or fantasy

You might like: Galavant

If you like: The Hunger Games

You might like: Divergent [note: read the books; the movies aren't that great]

If you like: Harry Potter, fantasy, Arthurian legend

You might like: Merlin

If you like: The Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon

You might like: Eragon

Fandom School (7th period): Engaging in a Respectful Debate Within the Fandom

Happy New Year's Eve! It's also a Wednesday, which means that it's time for Fandom School. (As I went to write this post, I noticed that I hadn't posted since last week. Sorry!) The subject is connecting with other fans, and the topic is fandom debates.

Every good fandom involves lots of discussions, and some of those discussions become arguments. Unfortunately, arguments can soon turn nasty and get out of hand. Here's how to get involved in a debate while avoiding the aforementioned chaos.

• Pick a fandom. If you want to compare fandoms or discuss a crossover, you may choose multiple fandoms for your discussion.
• Pick a platform. Do you want to just write a post on your blog or social media account, or will you post in a community/group for your fandom? Or perhaps you'd rather communicate in a forum? There are many other options, but those are the main ones.
• Pick an issue. What do you want to discuss? Do you want to weigh in on a debate prevalent in the fandom(s), or is there something within the fandom that you believe need to be addressed.
• Pick a stance. What's your opinion? Also, are you trying to convince others, or do you just want to share your views?
• Follow the rules of the forum/community/social network/etc that you are using. Most groups have their own rules and guidelines that you have to follow. However, following these usually is not enough to avoid debate.
• Think about how you want to express your view. Always think before you speak.
• Avoid flaming. Flaming is "a hostile and insulting interaction between Internet users, often involving the use of profanity" (Wikipedia). Remember, however much you hate/disagree with others, it is never okay to insult them. People are entitled to their own opinions.
• Acknowledge the other side. Concession and refutation is an essential part of any debate, but it's especially important in fandoms, where people can get really sensitive about their obsessions. Also, try to see things from the opposition's point of view. Maybe you'll even change your mind!
• Don't assume everyone needs to agree with you. Saying something like "Johnlock should totally be canon and anyone who disagrees isn't a true fan" is a surefire way to get people angry. Remember that it's okay to agree to disagree.
• Don't bash other people/fandoms. Just because you hate something doesn't mean it's terrible or that the people who like it are terrible. You can point out the flaws in a book/movie/TV show, but you need to be very careful about how you go about it (i.e., remain objective and focus on specific instances rather than hasty generalizations), and it's generally not a good idea unless you're also pointing out that book/movie/TV show's good points as well.
• Know when to stop. Some people just won't agree with you, and that's okay. You can't beat an idea into their heads.

So, there's the general framework. Also, keep in mind that you may not want to get involved in every debate. Some debates are so heated that you might want to stay out of them. Make sure not all your time spent in the fandom is time spent arguing. Don't forget the merits of plain old discussion. And of course, fandom works (fanfiction, fanart, etc.) are also welcome.

With all this in mind, go to your fandom and get started debating! Have fun, and remember to be kind to everyone.

Fandom School (7th period): Discussing Your Fandom Online

Last time we had this class at Fandom School, I talked about how to connect other fans. Now, I'd like to go more in depth about how to talk with others in your fandom online. There are a few ways to do so.

1. Social media- I think it's safe to say that most of you reading this have some form of social media, whether it be facebook, google+, tumblr, twitter, etc. This is a great way to find other people who like the same things as you to follow/friend/[insert appropriate verb here]. Also, some forms of social media (e.g., google+) have groups/communities, and you can often find one for your fandom. If there isn't one, you can create it. Find other fans by editing your profile to include your fandoms, following people in your fandoms, and joining communities for your fandoms.

2. Discussion boards/forums- I haven't really participated in any of these, but they are a great place to, well, have discussions. You can't interact with others as much as you can on social work, but there's still lots of room for great discussions about your fandoms.

3. Start reading fanfiction- yeah, you probably do that already. So, I'll be more specific: get an account on a fanfiction website (fanfiction.net and AO3 (aka archiveofourown.org) are both great). Even if you don't want to write your own fanfiction (if you need some posts to refer to, see this post about what fanfiction is, this post about types of fanfiction, and/or this post on another great blog about how to write fanfiction), you can still read, review favorite, and follow other people's stories (trust me, we fanfiction authors love it when you do that). This is a good way to see other fans' works and interact with the authors. Also, on fanfiction.net, you can private message people, so you can interact with them directly.

4. Join a fanart website- like discussion boards, I haven't joined any fanart websites, but there are websites dedicated to fanart where you can meet other fans. A quick google search reveals deviantART and Fanart Central, but I'm sure there are lots of other websites. Similar to fanfiction websites, fanart websites allow you to appreciate other fans' works and interact with the artists.

5. Youtube- like 3 and 4, youtube allows you to share your own fandom content and see others' fandom content. 

6. Start blogging- if you blog about your fandom(s), people will notice eventually. And maybe some of those people who read your blog, comment on it, etc. will become your friends. (Right, guys?)

Fandom School (7th period): How To Connect With Other Fans

So, if you've been keeping up with my Fandom School posts, you have a pretty good idea of what a fandom is and what are the different parts of a fandom. And if you read my blog, chances are you've joined at least one fandom. So the question is, how do you find others in your fandom(s)? How do you find other fans?

There are a number of different ways to meet other fans and get to know them:

How to meet other fans in real life

1. Get fandom paraphernalia (isn't "paraphernalia" such a great word?). This includes T-shirts, toys, action figures, backpacks, phone cases, etc. The advantage of these things is that they show the world that you are in a fandom and provide opportunities for other fans to strike up a conversation with you.
2. Make fandom references. Those who are in your fandom(s) will be delighted and will start talking about them with you. This has the downside that non-fans will just look at you like you're crazy. But then, any fan is a little bit crazy anyway, right? :P
3. Introduce your current friends to your fandom(s). Then you'll have friends in your fandoms(s)!

How to meet other fans on the internet

1. If you don't have a social media account, create one. Facebook, tumblr, Google+, whatever. I don't care. If you already have a social media account, you can skip this step.
2. Update your profile to include a list of your fandoms. This way, people who like the same stuff as you know what they have in common with you.
3. Join communities/groups for your fandom(s) and regularly post in those communities/comment on the posts in those communities.
4. Find others who have the same fandoms as you, and follow them. In many cases, they will follow you back.
5. Make fandom references in your public posts, to show everyone what you are obsessed with.

And that about sums it up. I hope you have a great day and meet lots of new friends in your fandoms, and I also hope that your current friends join your fandoms if they haven't already. I'll see you all again next week for the next fandom school post! Bye!