To be a true fan I would say all you have to do was like the book and /or movie. No more, no less, but if you have read all the books a number of times, seen the movie, slept outside to get tickets in the snow, know alot about everything Tolkien ever wrote, sees Middle-Earth all around you, like to say quotes in elvish to friends and posts more than a handfull of times on this or another Tolkien forum I'd say that you're no longer a fan, but a fanatic! I think I just decribed myself... hmmm
