Random Questions, all of them connected

Why is it, in general, a chap on Deviantart is much more likely to get attention if they do fanart (no matter how terrible) rather than an original piece (no matter how good it is)?

Why can't I go back in time and prevent myself from ever drawing a character that wasn't my creation, or writing a fanfic?

Why was I so naive to think my story ideas weren't almost laughably disgraceful to the characters I cherished so?

What can I do to make up for my past sins?