I think it's possible this is more true in author fandoms than overall? Could be wrong but I can think of many authors I don't feel very connected to who wrote beautiful things, and certainly people I feel strong connections with who can't write for shit. It's complex.
But a good example of the need for connection to my mind is that I cannot imagine wanting to read a fake sentimental memoir, even if it perfectly captures its time and place.
As a point in favor of this argument, I remember being very mad when I discovered, halfway through reading it, that some (none? it's been a while) of the vignettes in the "The Things They Carried" had actually happened, despite them being presented as truthful accounts.