Today, I thought about how fans reward authors for all the hard work they do (besides shelling out dough for books, of course). It doesn't matter how small a "gift" is -- each one does honor to the authors. So, here's the list I came up with. (hope I get some of these someday)

TEN SMALL HOMAGES FANS GRANT UNTO AUTHORS:

1. Fan fiction. Fiction based on fiction. It's like adding a link to a chain, or at least a sparkly charm to a bracelet. It's a powerful thing, to have a fan care for your characters or your world so much that he taps into his own creativity to connect with it.

2. Quotes. Fans use these in many ways -- signatures to conclude e-mails or forum posts, some color for a blog, even spoken aloud in appropriate situations. Your words stick in their brains to the point where the words meld with grey matter, becoming a part with a function. Move over, medulla oblongata. Snappy-one-liner needs some room in the brainpan.

3. Usernames. Darthvader69. Gandalf_is_luv. Klingoncutie. What do these names have in common outside of possible copyright issues? They belong to fans that proudly wear their love of your work. They want others to always look upon them and associate them with a character. It's almost as permanent and eye-catching as a tattoo. Hey, speaking of...

4. Tattoos. Those aren't coming off without a laser, or maybe a hot iron, or some acid -- it's just easier to keep it. And, chances are, the fan will love your writing longer than she will love the person named on the tattoo that she doesn't show in public. See what happens when you drink and ink?

5. Cosplay. Dressing up when it isn't even Halloween, risking the ridicule of other, less open-minded adults, just so they can look like your characters? That's hardcore. What author would not applaud that?

6. Fan art. It's like fan fiction that has no words -- unless it's a comic panel or something. Same thing applies as #1. Just keep it clean, you pervy artists.

7. Roleplaying game. I'm not talking about the licensed stuff, of course. I'm talking about the games run over the internet, on forums and blogs and whatnot. Players want to actually BE your characters, or to live in the fictional world you created. You have replaced their reality with your own.

8. Baby names and legal name changes. Honestly, this is starting to get weird. It's one thing when you change your name as an adult -- you want to be a dork, that's your call. If you inflict a fictional name upon a child, thought, you're just asking everyone else to tease him. Be careful with this one. Dangerous.

9. Delusions. Your writing is so powerful that it has conquered someone's mind. They think it's real! You're possibly some kind of god to them. Wow.

10. Themselves. No, I don't mean sex slaves or cultists. Just being a fan is probably the greatest homage anyone can grant to an author. Without fans, you're just talking to yourself. So, let's hear it for the fans!