1) Really wonderful writing catches my attention when I do find it, especially when the story is damn convincing.

Agreed. I think I pay more attention and am more excited when I find really good writing than I used to be.


2) Pairings that work are not necessarily seen as cool by the majority of the fandom, mostly because the fans are not exactly, er, sensible in that ways. While popular pairings are not necessarily always good ones. ^^;

Very true.