A fandom is, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "all the fans (as of a sport)," but it can be fans of anything, such as TV shows, movies, games of any sort, and many more things. Urban Dictionary's definition of a fandom is "The community that surrounds a TV show/movie/book etc. Fan-fiction writers, artists, poets, and cos-players are all members of that fandom. Fandoms often consist of message boards, live journal communities, and people." There are characteristics that are shared by all fandoms that exist.
1. Knowing Most (if not all) the Characters
Having the ability to name off most of the characters in your fandom is something that many people who are in fandoms can do. Also, knowing exactly who each one is, what they do, and what they each look like. They can correctly name off the characters that are associated with the fandom. Of course, there are people who can name off every character, and/or creature, in their fandom. This is even impressive to the other members of that particular fandom. For example, some people can name off a vast majority of the Pokemon, as well as what each one can do.
2. Being able to quote it
Quoting various phrases from your particular fandom is another thing that many people do as well. Whether it be for role playing games in general conversations or catch phrases and quotes that are easy to remember and say at any time that you deem fitting. These quotes may be your favorite lines from a show, movie, or series. I know one of mine is "I will find you. I will always find you." which is something that the Charmings in Once upon A Time say frequently say to each other and their loved ones. Most recently Emma Swan says it as her and her family are heading to the Underworld to rescue her true love Captain Hook, the ending of episode 11 of season 5.
3. Spending the majority of your time watching/reading It
Wanting to consistently watch, read, or play whatever your fandom has in it is the third way for you to know that you are a part of a fandom. Many people who are part of a fandom continuously want to do or watch whatever their fandom have to offer no matter what time of day it is, sometimes.
4. Making references to it at any given point in time
Making references to your fandom is just another thing that comes with being with a fandom. Sometimes people do not understand what you are saying or talking about, but that is normal for fandom members. However there is always someone who will get your reference and it brings some people extreme joy to know that someone understands what you are talking about.
5. Getting excited when someone starts watching/reading it
Now any one who is a part of a fandom, which ever one it may be, knows the excitement of someone new starting with something that is in your fandom. We get excited when we think that someone new may join our fandom. It is a normal reaction, I think, to become excited over someone possibly seeing what you see in a fandom and that they may join it as well.
6. Becoming emotional when something big happens
I know that many things in our shows get us hyped up for things to happen, whether they are good or bad. As a part of a fandom, it is okay to become emotional when something changes. For example, when a TV show character who fans have grown and attached to dies, it sends a reaction to every fans. Those things make us become emotional because sometimes we become attached to a certain character and suddenly they are gone, just like that, and we did not see it coming. Luckily we can always look back on their part again and again.
So there are ways for you to know if you are a part of a fandom, which ever one it may be.
