I am well aware that if you can't please everyone, of course. And having delved for a while into pro fic (and franchise work at that, so there were many masters), I won't go back to it for the reasons you enumerated -- you have the freedom in fan fic to do what you wish.

The fact is, I am, and remain pretty insecure about all this, even after 15+ years at it. I am, as mentioned, just fabulously bad at understanding what readers want/expect/like. And I'm so very, very grateful to those who have found the stories. As much as I enjoy the creative outlet, I really value the framework for relationships that fan fic provides -- the community of readers, writers, and such.

So, thanks so much. I appreciate you reading and checking in and I shall be getting caught up on Carpetbaggers soon!