This post made me really happy.
It's a topic I also want to write about because it's a huge miss for most internet writing gurus.
You've got to iterate.
Many of us grew up hearing
If you build it they will come. And glorifying the Starving artist who only creates for themselves.
As someone who reads a ton of bios on famous writers I can say without a doubt, they are obsessed with pleasing their audience. (With a few exceptions by those who use the supposed opposite as a marketing technique regarding how guarded and alone they are.)
I love how many comments you got on this post it really resonated. Is your blog still up? Will you link me?