I think stories become popular for a mixture of reasons. I partially think the author may pull some readers in because people have enjoyed stories from them in the past but it's their writing and the plot that will keep the readers there. The genre (yes I went there) also adds to how a story is received. Simply because more people in the fandom read drama and or romance. Also word of mouth, from other people. Word of mouth does A LOT to spread a stories name around and get it read. Twilight and 50 Shades are a couple of examples, I heard about these from other people before I saw anything about them anywhere in the media, or I didn't pay attention to anything I saw/heard about it until other people were talking about them.
As for what I'm known for
Chronos Project... cause I talked about it a lot I'm fine with being known for it but I'd love to be known for Wulf's Bane. Even though it's not finished and I haven't worked on it for a few years I still think those 13 chapters are some of the best I've written. It's a massive crossover though so I understand it not being read but I loved working on it and I should finish it since the OF version of that is really on the backburner.