I don't think it's wrong, per se, to have 'fans' - what I think is wrong is the BNFs who feel they are above us mere mortals. They have their cliques and their ways and never ever mingle with us po' folk.

I'm not saying you're wrong about the fans of fans outgrowth thing, but I really don't think it's bad or wrong to have a fannish following. I think there's ways to behave and ways not to behave. Manners, don'tcha know. I mean, I've got a small following of my own and I get down and muck around with them. See, I consider them my friends. And I thinks thats the way it should be. I don't consider myself above them - or better than them. I've been smacked with the "I'm better than you" syndrome from BNFs before. Not so nice.

I'm looking forward to reading more of your thoughts on it. I'm really interested.