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Hello, inexperienced member of the fictionfolk community! Whether you have realized you may have a deeper connection with a fictional character, world, or concept, or you just stumbled across the community and are confused, this is a small write-up that serves as a basic introduction to being fiction and the wider community's values. Mind you, we have only been in the community for a year or two, so we aren't a 'professional' or a large talking head. We have some very reputable folks linked on the page before this one that you should absolutely check out.
Fictionfolk is a term that encompasses all fictional identities, not just fictionkin. People can have hearthomes in fictional worlds, they can have archetropes as a large part of their identity, and some can even summon fictional characters from their worlds by soulbonding. And that's only a small sample of experiences. It's all fictionfolk! Sadly, we aren't well versed in anything beyond 'kin as we have not experienced (or simply haven't labeled ourselves as) those other facets of fictional identity. But it's important to remember that 'being a character' is not the only way to experience a deep tether to fiction.
Many people use the word 'kin' lightheartedly. In the more serious sectors of the fictionkind community, we call people who use 'kin' to mean 'character I relate to' KFFers (Kin-For-Fun'ers). They are generally rather disliked. I would say fictionkin is not the same thing as 'kinning', but many serious fictionkin do use the word, so it's best not to write people off for using it. Language does change!
If you are coming from a general audience standpoint and do not know much about alterhumanity and being fiction, you have definitely come across people saying 'these are my kins' or 'this is my kin i'm a [blank] kinnie'. Again, this language is used by genuine fictionkin often enough where I would say you shouldn't go 'hey don't do that' but there is a chance that they do not fully understand the language they are using. Generally, when people say 'these are my kins', a more versed community member would say something like 'these are my fictomeres' or 'these are my fictotypes'. I kind of sound like a cop, though, so do whatever you want, okay?
What is a fictionkin, then? Someone who is/identifies as a fictional character, basically. This identity can be psychological or spiritual in origin, or something entirely different, or something inbetween. Can it be chosen? The lines between 'chosen' and 'not chosen' are rather blurry, so we don't tend to worry about that too much. If it really is a case of 'Currently, I am not this character, but I want to be them', look into the 'Linking community. You should never invalidate someone's fictionkind identity. Even if they are having an experience you don't understand, you may think is stupid, or seems unreasonable, as long as they are not bringing harm to themselves or others, Leave Them Be. You must let people be.
There's not one true way to be fictionkin. The only requirements: You feel like this label is your true self, and that you are a fictional character. That's it! Anyone saying otherwise is gatekeeping for no reason. There isn't really a set of rules, other than that one. Of course, it's always good to let an identity sit for a while before you go full-throttle telling everyone about it. It's okay to be wrong! But it can be a little awkward going back on something like that. So make sure of it by questioning yourself- you will feel so much more confident in your fictional self once you have authenticated it. But, again, never feel afraid to go back on it. If you do go back on it, write about it! There are a lack of writings in the community about being wrong. I'd love to see it, okay?
In terms of 'how does this work', everyone conceptualizes and experiences their identity differently. Some choose to go by their fictomere's name, some dress like their fictomere, some don't do any of those and are okay with that. You Do Not need to perform as your fictotype to be 'valid'. You don't need to put them/your face everywhere, talk about your source often, go by their name, or anything like that. You can do that! It's fun! I go by my name and I put my face places sometimes! But if you don't want to do that, then don't. No one can tell you how to be yourself. Now go have fun with it. Be free---and don't try to put anyone else in a cage of how you *think* their identity should work.