You know what else I was thinking about as far as the ring theory lol I know for me at the moment, the only story i'm reading happens to be Mersey's new one and yes she also happens to be one of my best friends lol The thing is though, even if I didn't know her, i'd be reading that one because that story just appeals to me.
I can tell you that all of the good fanfic writing friends I have made have all come as a result of leaving them detailed feedback not on chaos but via emails. We all got to talking through those emails and as a result became great friends.
When I really like a story and get into them and I just haven't had time to be Mare the reader really, I usually also send emails.
I know that seems like a PSA for leaving reviews lol but seriously that's how I got to know everyone.
You know, Mare, that is so true. I have a lot of online friends that I've met through fanfic, and I think I met all of them either because I had read their stories and sent them feedback, or vice versa. So while it's true that I read and review my friends' stories, and they read and review mine, it's honestly because we've liked each other's stories all along. Most of them were favorite authors or appreciated readers of mine before I knew them as friends.
Most of my feedback-giving and receiving is also done off of AC, cause I post my stuff on my site first, and most of the stories I read are posted somewhere off AC first too, so I don't give as many reviews on AC just because I'm usually not on there reading. I know there are tons of great stories there that I haven't read on a different site; I just don't usually have time to explore and do much reading anymore.
I do review what I read though.