My personal experience has been that for me, sometimes the social aspects of fanfic writing have been hard to deal with. Sometimes what I have written isn't really what "the fans" want (I don't usually follow the OTPs, for instance.) Sometimes I put a spin on things that's important to me, but not necessarily comfortable for my readers. (FWIW, I have always encouraged readers who don't see eye-to-eye with me on everything.) Sometimes I've spent more energy dealing with negative reviews, when I should have been writing. And sometimes I feel like I've been too dependent on the social aspects (i.e. asking myself pitilessly what my motives are.)
But what *is* delightful about fandom is when I've gotten an idea that just burns a hole in me; I write a story about it, and someone says, "You too? You thought that too?" And you've not just expressed yourself, but linked up with another person who shares that vision with you. It's exhiliarating.
So I think it's a complicated issue, one that can't just be divided into social/non-social aspects.
Re: On the purpose of fanfiction
My personal experience has been that for me, sometimes the social aspects of fanfic writing have been hard to deal with. Sometimes what I have written isn't really what "the fans" want (I don't usually follow the OTPs, for instance.) Sometimes I put a spin on things that's important to me, but not necessarily comfortable for my readers. (FWIW, I have always encouraged readers who don't see eye-to-eye with me on everything.) Sometimes I've spent more energy dealing with negative reviews, when I should have been writing. And sometimes I feel like I've been too dependent on the social aspects (i.e. asking myself pitilessly what my motives are.)
But what *is* delightful about fandom is when I've gotten an idea that just burns a hole in me; I write a story about it, and someone says, "You too? You thought that too?" And you've not just expressed yourself, but linked up with another person who shares that vision with you. It's exhiliarating.
So I think it's a complicated issue, one that can't just be divided into social/non-social aspects.