Fandom is a way of life.
I like the sound of that, very much. I've been part of different fandoms for a long time. The most prominent three fandoms I belonged or used to belong to are "Potterheads", "Twilighter" and recently, "Sherlockians". I refused to use the term "Twihard" because it doesn't represent the spirit of the original fandom.
Indeed, for all budding fandoms, I think original fans who have been there since the start have it tough with all the attention and newcomers. Once something gets famous and a cultish-fanbase grows, there's no stopping it and let's be honest, suddenly everyone wants in or proclaimed themselves to be "true fans".
The problem with the new found attention is that it tends to attract all kinds of unpleasant people who do not understand what boundaries are.
It's the situation Sherlockians are facing now and it will be worse in the future. I understand that awareness is great because it means people are spreading the word but that magical feeling is gone, isn't it?
That's what happen to the Twilight fandom. I still love the books and will still watch the last movie when it comes out, but I've lost my passion due to all the (mostly bad) publicity and influx of "immature fans". The original spirit is gone, majority of them are just gushing over the movies and not the books.
It's like having a limited edition bag which is so dear to you and the next moment, you see everyone on the street carrying it. The special feeling is gone and the bag has become another ordinary accessory.
That being said, I wasn't part of the Sherlock fandom since its start in 2010. I was late in every sense as I only heard about the TV show in June 2011 and was only properly introduced to the fandom in December 2011. Still, I feel as if I belonged. The fandom is great and glorious, full of wonderful and talented people who make awesome fanart and write interesting fanfiction.
But when something grows in awareness and gains momentum, fans will have to deal with unwanted attention too, from haters and unsavoury fans. It's a double-edged sword.
In the fandom world, I would be considered a "lurker". I know the inside jokes, the good fanfictions, the fanvideos etc but I have never interact much with the other fans. It's both a choice and circumstance.
Oh well, it is out of my hands. I will bask in the glory of this fandom for as long as the spirit remains. It's a long wait for series 3 anway.
