You wrote:

Another way is to pay enough attention to what's out there that you more
or less know what's being done. I find that doing a lot of C&C helps in
this regard. 

This is fine for those of us who can find the time to read.  I'm 
finding it desperately hard to find the time to write my own work, 
let alone anybody else's.  I read very little fanfiction, and I know 
I'm not the only writer whose in this category.  (I often feel guilty 
about it, feeling as if I'm not paying my dues to the fraternity, but 
what can I do?  I just don't have the time with all the other stuff I 
do...)

With the vast volume of fanfic out there these days, I wonder how 
possible it is to "pay enough attention".

------RM