Got here via go_write to the previous meta about your desert dorks (congrats on finishing it btw!!!) and ended up here. Interesting analysis on the difference between original and fanfic writing - I agree/feel the same way. Good point on the shippy fics being more the kind people look for. I feel like gen fics in fandom is always so under-appreciated as it seems most people read fanfics for pairings and such, which is unfortunate.