Okay, so apparently there's been a post about "BNFs" and the pain of new/underappreciated writers, which I missed as I'm not on this particular person's flist. A few things I would add were I privy to this post:
1. What is a BNF? I prefer the term "established writer" myself, as it's more inclusive. Anyway, to my mind, a BNF on LJ is someone who has a large number of people on their flist who are specifically there to follow their fics (ETA: OR their art,icons, vids, recs, layouts or meta: I'm focusing on writing here as it's easiest for me to discuss). I figure the "large number" is around 500; I've heard others say it's 250. Whatever. Some "BNFs" are exceptionally talented, others are amazingly prolific, and others are, inexplicably, neither. And yes, there's a goodly number of folks out there who are fabulous writers but for whatever reason haven't developed a following. Which brings me to my next point:
2. What should an underappreciated writer/newbie do in order to get more readers? Simple. Get yourself out there. Participate in fests and challenges. Post fics on your LJ. Rec others' fics. Offer to be a beta reader. Some have gotten their start by writing an (authorized) sequel or follow up to a well-known fic, or one by a well-known author. I did this when I started writing, not to get more readers but because I was so inspired by a particular fic that I had to write the next part. I did not ask the author for permission, and that was a mistake, though she was flattered and not angry, despite the fact I wrote H/D non-con. Anyway, enough of that. New writers, get yourself out there. Keep writing, and make an effort to improve, no matter how good you might be right now. You will be read. I promise.
There is an exception to this, though, and it is for writers who write in very small fandoms. It's the ship and the fandom that draw in most readers before they look for the writer's name, and if they're not into either your fic may be passed by, no matter how good it is. Try posting on comms like
rareslash or the like, and you may attract a more adventurous audience.
Oh, and like many of you, I'm on
THE ANONYMOUS WRITING FEEDBACK MEME
. I know I haven't written for a ridiculously long time, but some good strong concrit could get me in the mood again. Or if you don't care about being anon, do it right here. I'd love to know what I could do better, either with my fanfic or original stuff. And I'll still respect you in the morning.