When it comes to writing a story whether a horror, fantasy or fiction do you care about the reader. When sharing your story would you let others dictate to you what direction your story should follow or do you simply follow your beliefs regardless of the outcome.
I think that's really two questions.
For the first part I think yes, you must care about the reader - they're the people who have to be drawn into your world, understand it and take something from it at the end. But that doesn't mean shaping a story purely to be commercial because a book will rarely appeal to everyone - rather that it basically needs to be interesting and well written.
For the second part I've found it useful to share a story with other writers and listen to their suggestions because they are seeing it with a clear eye, seeing what's actually there rather than what I think I've written. Having said that I find it incredibly hard to cut out or change scenes that I love but no one else does!
As far as I'm concerned the only writing that doesn't need to take into consideration the readers is a private diary.
If we write for the public then readers should always be cared about unless we don't want to sell too many books. It is the readers who tell others about our books afterall.
I believe in satisfying in readers, in catering to their needs and fulfilling their hunger. But I also believe in authoritarian control, whenever possible. We should be presenting our thoughts to the reader and thus help them enjoy themselves ! ! ! :D
But I am not averse to readers twisting my stories according to their needs and feelings, if they want to ! !