Meta Recs Requested

So, this is a request for recs of a certain kind of meta, but it's going to take me some text to explain what I want. ( Please bear with me. )

ETA: Three pertinent posts (and many more amazing links and essays in comments):
What Makes Fanfiction Great, a Love Story
Lazar-grrl on why we write fanfic.
Ninhursag wrote happy meta!