It must be very intimidating starting out in fandom now. When I began, I think online fandom was just beginning to take off in a big way. I was on one mailing list. I think it got split into two -- one for diss and one for stories -- soon after.

And I think the "joy of shared experience" is what fandom really is all about. That's what prompted me to start writing -- I wanted to join in.

Any experience with media -- a book, a movie, etc -- has an element of co-creation. Your interpretation and experience of the piece is part of it. Fanfic is much more so. No wonder fandom -- the people -- is so important to us.

I hope navigating fandom is going well for you. :)